Come and Try Paddling

Today, Golden Grove Cubs and Joeys had a chance to do a Come and Try Paddling, run by Branch Paddling (canoe) Team.

 

They had organized a day for the Adelaide Foothills District, open to both the Cub and Joey sections for all the groups in the district. Obviously, the Golden Grove Cubs jumped at the chance and dragged the Joey section along for the ride.

 

We were given a mid-morning time slot, and both sections had an absolute blast with the activity. The youth members really had the best time and with the weather, it was a great day to be on the water.

 

Scouting human and I are both sure that if the opportunity arose, the youth members would jump at the chance of doing it again.

Clean Up Australia Day 2023

 Today, Scouting Human and I joined with 3 Cubs and one parent to do Clean Up Australia Day at Golden Grove High School.

 

The site clean-up was being organized by Golden Grove Lions Club, and this is the 3^rd time we have joined with them to do Clean Up Australia Day. It is a great way for the Cubs to be seen in the community, work with another community organization and look after our local area.

 

Awesome effort for those who turned up and participated in the activity. 

 

 

Beach Navfest - Rogining Activity

 Today, Scouting Human and I were doing Beach Navfest,, . An orienteering/rogaining event at Glenelg Activity Centre. We were not doing it on our though as we had the equivalent of two teams of Golden Grove Cubs entered – one with myself and Scouting Human. The other was with the Assistant Leader / Rover.

 

There was quite a crowd there, as it was open to all sections – Joeys through to Rovers. It was certainly a great atmosphere and the weather was awesome as well, considering it was February (considering how hot it can be at this time of year).  

 

We had a quick session on mapping and how to plot the course we wanted to follow. The two teams from Golden Grove did this separately, as they were planning on working as two separate teams.

 

It was soon time to head off (there was a 5pm start time) and the group we were supervising soon released that aiming for the furthest (and most points attached) check point was probably not the wisest move. We looked at the map and saw we were near a couple of points and got them answered.

 

Here was a brief stop for something to eat, before moving on and doing more check points. It was not long before the Cubs needed to head back to the starting point at Glenelg Activity Centre, for the 7pm deadline.

 

We handed in our sheet and waited for the organizers to tally the scores. Neither team placed highly, but were certainly not in last place. It was a enjoyable event and got the youth members out and about, trying some map reading, in a area they are not totally familiar with. It was also a great way to learn about teamwork. Certainly something we will be looking at trying again in the future.

 

Golden Grove Scout Group BBQ - Bunnings Parafield

 Golden Grove Scout Group are running the BBQ at Parafield Bunnings today.

If you are local (northern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia), why not get down and buy a drink and a sausage?

Cards accepted!

Encouter - winds, early pack up and sleeping on trip home.

 

We survived the night, and so did the youth members who spent the night in the shed. We helped ensure that their gear was all packed away, and that it was all grouped together. It was not long before Breakfast, and with many having had their breakfast cooked by the Catering team (Thanks a HEAP guys. It was appreciated by a lot of youth members!!!).

 

The morning’s activity was an orienteering activity around the local area. The Cubs seemed to enjoy this. There was even a visit to the local cemetery.

 

While the activity was happening, there was a mad rush behind the scenes, as there had been a decision made to close the activity early. This is due to the forecast of strong winds expected in the afternoon and that it was due to hit at the original closing and pack up time. So, there was a mad scramble packing of tents and other equipment while the youth members were out on the activity.

 

Once we had finished the activity, we headed to the oval and had the closing ceremony. Once it was completed, the Golden Grove Cubs headed to the bus, as we had taken the option to travel to and from the activity by Bus. Scouting Human had contacted the parents and advised that we would be returning early, at the pick-up points. So, the parents were aware and waiting for their arrival back.

Unlike the noisy trip down, there was a lot of sleeping youth members on the bus on the trip back. This time, it included a detour to the airport, so we could drop the Port Lincon Scout Group off to catch their plane back to Port Lincon.

 

The parents and youth members were happy to be reunited, and we are sure there will be quite a few having an early night in their own beds.

 

Thank to you the organizers, and to the people who ran activities over the weekend. Also, thanks to the leaders and youth members for pulling together and getting everything done for Encounter. 

 

 

Saturday at Encounter

 Everything started early. Although, the Cubs were not up quite as early as Scouting human and I expected them to be. Certainly not the early start from the Cubs that we have had on previous state camps (or even our own sectional or group camps)!

 

Once we had breakfast, and packed their day packs with lunch, snacks and filled drink bottles, the cubs headed off in their activity patrols. Each patrol had a different day planned; due to the different activity choices they had made.

 

The patrol that I was with headed to the Pt Elliott Historical Museum that was on site. We might have been there a little earlier than needed. But that is ok, gave the youth members in our patrol a chance to get to know each other better. The highlight of museum visit was the youth member who said “Look at this old computer!”. When we went to check it out, they were talking about an old typewriter.

 

After the Cubs had done their time in the museum, we moved onto a bit of free choice activity. Due to the weather, the Rock-Climbing wall was closed. Lucky, some of the Golden Grove Cubs managed to get a climb, but the ones who did not get the chance to do so, decided to head to the line up for the archery activity and joined the line up there instead. 

 

 

The patrol and I managed to get through the archery, before we headed to the buses to get taken into Goolwa. This is where the fun started. Our paperwork was quite clear and stated that we were due to be on a bus to Goolwa. After some discussion and a clear mx up in information sent out, it was decided that the patrol would be heading to the patrol activity that was in Victor instead. This also caused a change of travel plans, as it required transportation to get us to the activity. But we got there and started the activity, spending a pleasant few hour running around, re-creating the photos created by the Rovers running the activity. It was then time to return to the Campsite and some free time.

 

It was not long after we got back, that Scouting Leaders were made aware of weather changes and the impact that it was having on the campsite. We had some strong winds during the afternoon and despite the best efforts of the leaders on site, we had some broken tent poles and a torn fly. Although, compared to some, we were quite lucky with several groups who were more exposed than we were being worse hit. Decisions were being made quickly, but Golden Grove Cubs stayed on sight with the majority. Although, it was a case of shifting to sleeping in the shed with a lot of others who were also staying, but were seeking somewhere a little drier. It really didn’t take long before the youth members settled and were asleep.