Seven Scouts from the 3rd Bathurst (All Saints Cathedral) Scout Troop had the adventure of a lifetime at the Australian Jamboree from January 4 to 14.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Held at the new Bend Motorsport Park at Tailem Bend, located less than 100 kilometres south-east of Adelaide, the Jamboree attracted more than 10,000 Scouts from around the country and internationally.
For 10 days, the Jamboree became South Australia’s ninth largest town.
“It was great to see so many Scouts in the one place,” Bathurst Scout Chloe Limbrick said.
“It was definitely worth going to.”
READ MORE:
The Jamboree offered many exciting activities including dragon boating, ice skating, flights in a two-seater motorized glider, working with drones, robotics, African drumming, water activities, raft building, and cart racing on the V8 car racing circuit. There were also nightly concerts.
One of the biggest challenges at the Jamboree was the Woodhouse Activity Site, where each Scout participated in a 27-hour adventure including archery, high ropes, abseiling, a maze, an inflatable obstacle course, and the famous Woody’s Challenge Hill. The challenge is designed to develop skills in pioneering, navigation, camping, and problem solving.
“Woodhouse was really interesting,” Chloe said.
“As part of the challenge we were given rations of food, and we had to decide what to eat and when. It really forced us to step up and think for ourselves and not rely on the leaders.”
There was also an opportunity to visit the city of Adelaide.
“I really had to step out of my comfort zone for the day in Adelaide,” she said.
“I was a bit nervous at the time, but in hindsight it was a great thing to do. It was a good opportunity for my patrol (a group of six to seven Scouts) to work as a team.”
Despite the searing temperatures during the Jamboree, though, the Scouts wouldn’t have missed it for anything.
The next Jamboree is in three years.
For more information on Bathurst Scouts visit bathurstscouts.org.au.