Scouting is wonderful fun and on a weekly basis the Joeys, Cubs & Scouts all learn and develop skills that will help them grow and develop - especially in the outdoors. Therefore, when they get the opportunity to go outside they all excel and thoroughly enjoy every opportunity to implement the skills they have learnt.
So after planning a family camp the Cubs were very keen to go and enjoy an adventurous, fun, challenging and inclusive week-end with their families. A weekend that would see them access two Victorian Scout Camps.
Driving through the rain the families arrived at Gilwell Park Scout Camp in the dark and supported each other to set up camp and get everything ready for the next day. After a quick night walk around the surrounding area the Cubs headed off to bed in preparation for a day full of adventure, challenge, laughter, friendship and fun.
Then next day started with the Cubs investing Shada into our Unit, resulting in the following question being asked ......
If Shada is invested ...... does this mean Shada is an adult now?
The first challenge for the day saw the Cubs warm up by climbing all over the bouldering wall. This included Cubs going up, down, traversing sideways and hanging upside!!!
Then it was time to fly. Harnessing up and fitting helmets all the Cubs and their families were ready to enjoy and experience the flying fox. This is a double flying fox allowing everyone to fly either with their friends or a family member.
This is awesome.
Look at me, I thought it would be hard, but now I'm flying.
After conquering the concept of flight and everyone securing their pilots licence on the flying fox, it was time to be challenged physically on the Guantlet. Arriving at the start of the Guantlet we talked about teamwork, support and participation acknowledging that the Guantlet was a Challenge by Choice experience. Everyone would be encouraged to participate, but it was their choice and everyone was to respect individual choices.
The obstacles and challenges were great fun and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Then as the Cubs came around a corner they discover ......
MUD!!!
Diving in head first the Cubs quickly found themselves submerged in the mud and having a lot of fun while swimming, walking, crawling and pulling themselves through the mud pit much to the entertainment and excitement of all spectators. The enjoyment and fun experienced by the Cubs also lead to a number of parents jumping in and enjoying the mud experience as well.
This is actually easier than I thought.
The mud is warm ... it's only cold when you get out.
Climbing out of the mud pit the Cubs continued to enjoy the Guantlet completing the final obstacles ...... even though they were wet & covered in mud.
Arriving at The Lochan the Cubs were challenged to apply their skills by building a raft to safely paddling out on The Lochan. After talking designs and reviewing lashings everyone pitched in to help build a suitable raft that would transport the Cubs out onto the water.
Carrying the raft down to the edge of the water only the bravest of Cubs remained. Working together as a team the Cubs launched their raft, jumped on and paddled their way successfully into the middle of The Lochan before making their way safely back to land.
This water is colder than the Guantlet!!!
The next morning we woke up, enjoyed breakfast and quickly packed up our entire camp and departed Gilwell for GWS Anderson Scout Camp. Arriving at GWS Anderson Scout Camp we were taken into a classroom where we talked about bees. It was fascinating and the Cubs thoroughly enjoyed learning about bees and the natural process of making honey.
Unfortunately the weather wasn't suitable to open the bee hives, however that didn't stop the Cubs for suiting up in the bee keeping suits to walk over and view the hives. It was a wonderful experience and the perfect way to finish a wonderful weekend of family fun, adventure, laughter, friendship, challenge and support.
Bees are amazing. This was great fun visiting the bee camp.
