The Hidden Impact of Every Scout Night

 

Below is a email sent to every Leader within Scouts Australia.

 

I (as Wilbur) am sharing this as I live with a Scout Leader (Cub Section) and I know how much work she does for the youth in her section.  

(Subject Line) The Hidden Impact of Every Scout Night

 

You Make the Difference: The Hidden Impact of Every Scout Night

 

Each week across Australia, thousands of volunteer Leaders turn up: unlocking halls, supporting the duty Patrol Leader, setting up obstacle courses, organizing badge work, supporting young people to lead, checking the arrangements for the night hikes, packing away gear, and encouraging hesitant voices to speak up. Sometimes you’re thanked, often you're not. Sometimes the night feels chaotic, the lesson unclear, or the Group distracted. And yet - you keep showing up.

 

What you may not always see is this: you are changing lives.

 

New national data from the Resilient Youth Survey confirms what many of us have felt in our hearts for years - that Scouts builds stronger, more resilient young people. The data shows that Scouts score an average of 91% across key well being measures, compared to 82% for the national average. That means the program you deliver each week isn’t just fun - it’s transformative.

 

Your Scouts are:

· More hopeful about their future

· Better able to cope with stress and anxiety

· More likely to have trusted adults they can talk to

· More willing to give back to their community

· More respectful, inclusive, and connected to others

 

These are not just numbers. These are futures you’re shaping - one activity, one Patrol meeting, one encouraging word at a time.

 

You may not see it now, but your commitment is laying foundations that will support these young people for the rest of their lives. You’re helping a shy 11-year-old learn confidence. You’re showing a teenager how to solve problems, serve others, and believe in themselves. You’re helping young Australians become the kind of adults our country needs: resilient, compassionate, and community-minded.

 

The Scout program works - and you are the reason it works.

 

So the next time a session feels like a scramble, or the tent pegs won’t go in, or the youth members forget the equipment again - take heart. You are not alone. And what you are doing matters more than you know.

Because of you, our communities will be stronger tomorrow.

 

Thank you - for every week you’ve given, and every Scout you’ve inspired. The difference you make is profound. Keep going…

 

Australia needs you!

 

Yours in Scouting,

Brendan Watson OAM 

Chief Commissioner, Scouts Australia

 

Cuboree:Journey to Adventure - Day Two

 

As was to be expected, the Cubs started to awake from 6am this morning. It was not long before the campsite was up and moving, having breakfast and getting ready for the 1^st Activity base. We also made sure each Cub had their morning tea on them, as well as a full drink bottle as we are having morning tea on the activity base.

 

We spent several hours at the morning base, which was called “Travel to Timbuktu.” We were there from 8:30am to 12 – so all morning. There were certainly enough activities to rote through, which were based around different countries. We had a break for morning tea in the middle and it was an appreciated chance to sit, have a drink and something to drink. But the activities were awesome and engaged the youth members well.

 

Lunch was at 12, and a much-needed break from a full morning of activities. Certainly, a good chance to sit down and kick back, even for a short period of time. It also meant we made sure the youth members refilled their water bottles, and pack their afternoon snacks before heading to the afternoon activity. 

 

Scouting human (and the other adults) were starting to check their phones a bit. The weather looked like it was starting to change. I heard we may get rain! I am not keen on getting wet. But I trust Scouting human made sure I was going to stay dry and safe in her day pack. The scouting adults also made sure the Cubs took their rain jackets / ponchos, as the plan was to do the activity if they could safely do so.

 

This afternoon’s activity base was “Journey Through Time”. It was a great activity base, and we pretty much got all the activities done, even though it was raining through the afternoon. There was even some thunder and lightning. Not that the youth members seemed to be scared, they just kept doing the activities. Most of the storm stuff seemed to be going around Woodhouse, as it is sheltered, in a small valley (of sorts). There was a brief period where we needed to shelter. But overall, it did not interrupt the activity rotations that much, with the cubs getting all but one of the activities done on the base.

 

We finished the activity around 5 to 5:30pm, and headed back to our campsite to have tea. Our camp unit had hamburgers, and they were certainty well done.

 

The evening entertainment was due to be a campfire with singing involved. Due to the weather (rain still on and off), the decision was made to do the singing, but was shifted into Stagg’s Shed.  The songs sung had been sent home, via a link prior to Cuboree happening. So, the Cubs had a chance to know what was going to be sung and to practice them prior to the event.

 

Before long, the youth members were heading back to their campsites, to have supper. We are surprised that they lasted this long. It was not long after supper before everyone was in bed and the campsite was quiet. While the weather threw up challenges during the day, it did not deter the youth members from having fun. It was a long, but enjoyable day. We are sure that everyone had fun. 

 

Cuboree Journey to Adventure - Day One

Today was the day. After several weeks of lots of emails, and several online meetings, scouting person and I headed to Woodhouse Activity Campsite for Cuboree.

We arrived, and we soon had the tents put up, with the Cubs (and one Joey, who was not staying). Golden Grove Cubs were camping with cubs from Pembroke, Angaston and Southern Barossa Scout Groups. 

 

Once everyone had arrived, and ensuring everyone had a bite to eat (Sausages in bread), we headed over to the Opening Ceremony. Here, we were introduced to the MC, who’s scout name is called Bin Chicken. Very Australian and turns out the guy is very popular with the Cubs.  

 

It wasn’t a late night, but everyone headed back to their sites and it was soon time for everyone to head to bed. We are sure it is going to be a totally full-on weekend (Scouting Person and I have done several of these now and we KNOW the Cubs are going to be 100% tired by the end of the weekend). We just hope everyone gets a good night sleep tonight.

 

Adelaide Foothills District Cub Car event

 Today was the annual Adelaide Foothills District Cub Pinewood Derby.

 While Scouting person and I didn’t get to the whole event, Golden Grove Cubs placed 1^st and 3^rd overall in the event. This follows last year, when a Golden Grove Cub also took 1^st place. Interestingly enough, this year’s 1^st place  is friends with last year’s 1^st place winner.

 

All who took part enjoyed their day.

NavFest: Beach 2025

 Today, a small but determined team participated in this year’s NavFest: Beach. This year, the starting point was at Point Malcom, Semaphore Park.

The team took part in some navigation and map planning activities before sitting down to plan their route. Deciding on team name provide to be challenging.

 

Eventually it was sorted (We are Here For The Ice Cream) and so was the planned route.

 

We headed off, but unlike others, the cubs did not run, and we think that was a bit of a relief. It ensured we were able to stay as a group from the get go.

 

Over the course of 2 hours, the group covered a distance of 7 ½ km, which included a stop for ice cream.

 

Once again, the team came in about the middle of the field, with a score of 460 points. Not a bad effort and certainly continually improving on the points gained, as well as improvement in their map reading skills. This alone makes doing NavFest a worthwhile activity and we are looking forward to doing it again next year.