City Scramble 2024

 Today, Golden Grove Cubs took part in City Scramble 2024. This is based on the City Scramble idea that happened back in May 2019.

 

For a lot of leaders within South Australia, the event in 2019 was bittersweet, due to the main person behind the event was in hospital and passed away that night. He had been a main stay in the Cub section within South Australia and many people went into that event knowing the outcome was not looking good.

 

However, while today’s activity based on the 2019 activity concept, as with any activity, there were some differences and some similarities.

 

Golden Grove Cubs had 10 Cubs, 1 Venturer, 1 leader and several parents attend the event.

 

On the weather front, the forecast was for showers in the morning. However, they did not eventuate. As a result, the day was quite nice. It was cool, but it was certainly better than being hot and having to deal with heat related issues with the Cubs.

 

It was a great day, as Golden Grove Started at the War Memorial and worked our way round the checkpoints in a anti clockwise manner. It was enjoyable and I think the Cubs enjoyed the day and different points as we went. We certainly saw a fair bit of the city. This included the chopper landing at the SANFL final to deliver the Premiership Cup before the SANFL Grand Final.

 

Golden Grove Scout Group had 10 Cubs, 1 Venturer, 1 leader as well as several adults attend the day. Overall, we think the day went well and am sure that next time a similar event is run, then Golden Grove Cubs will take part again in the event. 

 

NavFest: Parks and Playgrounds

This afternoon, Joeys, Cubs, one Scout and several leaders took part in NavFest: Parks and Playgrounds. It was based from Athelstone Primary School (start and finish point), and surrounding area/ suburbs.  

 

Similar to NavFest:Beach, Golden Grove Cubs entered teams. This time, we had enough for 3 teams and they were composite of Joeys, Cubs ad one scout. At NavFest:Beach, we’ve had 2 teams in 2023 and 1 team in 2024.

 

The teams over all did well, with 2 teams scoring 400 points and 1 team scoring 450 points. All three teams were placed around the middle of the teams taking part in the event this afternoon.

 

Overall, the youth walked a total of 8km for the event, getting their checkpoints. The youth certainly gained a few km towards their hike (km) badge totals.

 

I enjoyed the event (but I also was being carried in a bag!). I am looking forward to doing NavFest:Beach in 2025 and hope we are able to have several teams entered in that event as well. I am sure the Cubs will enjoy it and seeing if they can beat their scores.

 

Thanks must go to Scouts SA: Bushwalking Team for organizing the event 

 

National tree Planting Day

 Today, we were up early. It was National Tree Day, so the Cubs, Scouting Human and I were joined Friends of Dry Creek Trail to do some tree planning.

 It did not take very long as many hands make light work. Overall, a successful day as there were a variety of community there, including representations from two scout groups (Golden Grove and Hillcrest).

 

Overall, a successful day. 

 

Tree Planting with Friends of Dry Creek Trail

 Today, there were several Cubs with their parents who attended Tree Planting with Friends of Dry Creek Trail.

 

Tea Tree Gully Council had supported the event by digging the holes prior to the event, which was a much appreciated by all in attendance. It allowed for the planting to be done quicker

 

We were also joined by Shah Satnam Ji Green S Welfare Force Wing - Australia who were also supporting Friends of Dry Creek Trail’s activity this morning. As a result, we were able to get all the plants done in under an hour. In addition, the friends of Dry Creek Trail were able to get some preparation work and forward planning done on the site for future work while they had the extra help around. Essentially, it was a win win for all involved!

 

I am sure that golden Grove Cubs will be helping them again in the future with their tree planting activities. 

 

 

 

Peak Award Hike - Para Wirra Conservation Park

Today, 5 Cubs, 1 Joey, 1 leader and several parents went on a hike.

While hikes are a regular part of the program and happen often, this one had an extra purpose. One of the Cubs was to lead a hike for his Peak Award (Gray Wolf Award), which is the highest award that can be earned within the Cub Section within Scouts Australia. It was also the last part of the requirements he had to do for the Peak Award.

 The Cub in question had to lead a 4-hour hike for a group of up to 6 youth members (including themselves) on a hike for a period of 4 hours. This also included breaks (including lunch).  It was along the Mack Creek Trail, which is in the Para Wirra Conservation Park.

 

The weather, while cool and overcast, did not produce any rain. It also meant those who went did not get hot and powered along on the hike.

 

All who attended did very well, hiking a total of 8km. 

 

Adeaide Foothills District Joey and Cub Target Sports Day

Today, Golden Grove Cubs and Joeys joined around 100 other Joeys and Cubs (120 in total including Golden Grove) from Adelaide Foothills District for Archery at Woodhouse Campsite.

 

While the archery was only a couple of hours, we spent the day at Woodhouse doing a variety of activities besides the Archery.

 

Golden Grove Cubs and Joeys had fun doing Challenge Hill, as well as the Tube Slide. Several did the Labyrinth after their parents picked them up.

It was a awesome day, and we are sure a number were asleep early on Saturday night. 

 

 

Anzac Day 2024

 Today is ANZAC Day.

ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

 Anzac Day falls on the 25th of April each year. The 25th of April was officially named Anzac Day in 1916.

 

On the 25th of April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula. These became known as Anzacs and the pride they took in that name continues to this day. 

 

The Anzacs landed on Gallipoli and met fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. Their plan to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate and the campaign dragged on for eight months. 

 

At the end of 1915, the allied forces were evacuated. Both sides suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed. 

 

The meaning of Anzac Day today includes the remembrance of all Australians and New Zealanders killed in military operations. It is a public holiday in both countries.

 

Many Scouts and Guides in Australia and New Zealand attend Dawn Services, Marches and Overnight Vigils in both countries.

 

Scouting person and I attended the service last night, as mentioned in the previous post, which was the start of the overnight vigil at the Smithfield Memorial Gardens.

 

Golden Grove Scouts had a number of youth members attend dawn services around Adelaide, including Elizabeth RSL and Tea Tree Gully RSL.

 

Scouting human and I attended the Adelaide March, along with the group’s Joey Leader and one Cub / family.  Getting into town was an experience and a half – a bus that didn’t turn up, a mad dash to Smithfield Train Station, line up for a coffee (that is a story in itself), the thought that we were going to have rain for the March (it cleared and didn’t rain) and running into Guide Leader friends in the line at the toilets in Adelaide Train Station!

 

From here, Scouting Human and I headed to Glenelg Oval, to watch Sturt take on Glenelg in a rematch of the 2023 SANFL Grand Final. The SANFL (South Australian Football League) do this every year, schedule the 2 grand finalists in a rematch on ANZAC Day. While the grand final is played itself at Adelaide Oval, the ANZAC Day game is played at the home ground of the winner. Hence, why we went to Glenelg Oval today.

 

 Today, Sturt (our team) won, and really did well, certainly made up for the Grand Final lost last year.

 

From here, it was time to head home. It had been a long day, but the weather held, we were able to pay our respects to those who served, and see a game of football.

 

Lest We Forget

 

ANZAC Eve 2024

 This evening, I attended, with Scouting human, another leader from the group (Joey Leader), and several youth members an evening Anzac Day Eve service.

 It was slightly shorter than a regular Dawn Service, but it also signaled the start of the overnight vigil at the Smithfield Memorial Gardens.

 It is a City of Playford run event and a smaller event, handy for those who are not able to deal with large crowds. 

 

Clean Up Australia Day 2024

 Today is Clean Up Australia Day. This year, Golden Grove Cubs joined with Friends of Cobbler Creek for their event. Cobbler Creek had 3 clean up sites and the Cubs were at the one around the playground area. This is useful to do as it was away from roads and therefore the risks of accidents are greatly reduced.

We had several Cubs and Joeys attend the event this morning and they all did Golden Grove Scout Group proud. Everyone we spoke to after the youth had left were impressed with their behavior and how well they worked this morning.

Well, done to all who attended today. 

 

Carisbrooke Park Hike

This evening, the Cub Unit went for a walk-through Carisbrooke Park. It was a chance to get out of the hall, and to add some km to the Walkabout Badge. It was a great night to get out and about, to do something different, ensuring that the Cubs are getting a varied program.

 Overall, a great chance to get out and do something different.

 

NavFest:BEACH

 Today, we had one team entered in the NavFest:Beach. It was also our 1^st activity away from the hall for the new scouting year.

 While we had two teams last year in NavFest:Beach, this year we only had enough for one team.

 

The team covered 7.5km during the event and did very well for themselves. The improvements included distances covered, as well as the number of checkpoints they were able to get stamped (therefore increasing their points they were able to use for the over all total (therefore increasing their points they were able to use for the total). They finished very respectfully in the middle of the rankings.

 

Overall, a very enjoyable activity and the leaders are, at least, looking forward to the NavFest event to be held in September – it will have a playground theme! We are bound to be at that event when it occurs.