Scouts love tent city
LOCAL Scouts returned to Victoria recently after a 12 day adventure to the 2016 Scout Jamboree near Sydney.
Second Leongatha Scouts leader Barry Ferguson took a group of 11 children to Cataract Scout Park in New South Wales to participate in the largest adventurer gathering in the country.
“The event is held every three years. This was my fifth jamboree but it is always a pleasure to go,” he said.
“It really is a city of tents. The Scouts have everything they need, from a hospital to a police station.”
The group joined 10,500 Scouts from across Australia to participate in the 10 day camp of activities and celebration.
“Some children leave for the jamboree as 12 year olds and return as young adults,” Mr Ferguson said.
“The children were responsible for cooking all of their own meals. They learnt a lot of life skills and independence over their time at Jamboree and some make lifelong friendships.”
The camp offered both a wide range of physical and practical activities.
“The weather was definitely the biggest challenge for the children,” Mr Ferguson said.
“It poured down rain and there was mud everywhere.”
The rain did not stop the Scouts from making the most of the adventure though, with groups spending days at the Jamboroo water park.
The children, aged between 10 and 15, participated in abseiling, laser skirmish, caving, low ropes courses, BMX bike riding, water park activities and a scavenger hunt in Sydney’s city centre.
Groups also worked to build bird boxes, dog shelters and picnic benches for community groups across Australia.
“They do a lot for communities all across Australia and it is a great way to spend time with friends,” Mr Ferguson said.
The group returned to South Gippsland after a 13 hour bus ride home.
“All of the children were exhausted when they got off the bus. It is a massive adventure,” Mr Ferguson said.
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