First Posted: 12/1/2014

The Scouts in Junior Troop 32647 recently learned about the Christmas traditions of the Netherlands. Monique Pritchard, a native of the Netherlands, taught the girls about Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet who visit boys and girls in the Netherlands on Dec. 5 each year.

Sinterklaas’ birthday is Dec. 6 and he celebrates by bringing toys, candy and gold coins to good children and coal for bad children. Sinterklaas travels by horse from house to house, making his deliveries; children leave hay and carrots in their shoes for the horse to eat. Zwarte Piet is his helper who goes down the chimneys to deliver the gifts and gets covered in soot.

Sinterklaas travels from Spain each year by ship and his travels are reported on the national news in the weeks leading up to his arrival. Each year, a new adventure/mystery involving Sinterklaas and his helpers takes place. It is discussed in schools, on the news and in homes. Luckily, everything always gets resolved in time for the celebration!

After the presentation, the girls got to see a collection of Sinterklaas items, taste Dutch treats and dress up as Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet.