Scouts on Top of the World

Scouts fulfil 10-year dream to conquer Everest

A group of Hampshire mountaineers have become the first ever Scout group to conquer Mount Everest. The five intrepid climbers put the cap on a decade of planning and fundraising for the once-in-a-lifetime expedition. Their historic climb of the world's highest peak was a perfect way of marking Scouting's centenary year.

Leader of the Sky High Climb team Nathan Figg, a 32 year-old satellite technician from Alton, said: "This has been the ultimate challenge in Scouting's 100th year. We've spent an amazing ten years to prepare for this immense challenge.

"It has been a lot of hard work and a great challenge and we are thrilled to have made it."

Team member Dave King, a 23-year-old marine engineer from Southampton, told how he had shed a tear of emotion as they reached the summit.

He said: "We have conquered one of the world's toughest challenges in Scouting's Centenary year and what a great way to mark the occasion.

"It's taken a lot of time and hard work to get out here but it has all been worth it."

A scout can do anything if they put their mind to it. From the scout promise: "I promise to do my best" and for cubs "scouts never give in to themselves". How true in this fantastic achievement !

Musca.

Family Camp, this weekend !

Cubs, Scouts and families,

Just a reminder the family camp is on this weekend at Camp Kanangra, Nord's Wharf.
We would love to see you there, this is a not to be missed event !
If you didn't get the notes at the last meeting or lost them, I have attached copies here.
They are also on the website (www.avocascouts.com) if you need them.
Some families will be going up there on Friday night and anyone is welcome to do so.

If you are coming and you have a car with a towbar that is free, then Dave Temperley has a Hobie Cat, sailing catamaran available to bring up on a trailer; it just needs a car to pull it ! This would be a lot of fun on the lake to use, and this location will be ideal for it. The cubs and scouts would appreciate it. If you can help, please contact Dave or myself for more information.

Let's hope for fine weather !

Musca.

Scouts at the Reptile Park, this Saturday

All Avoca Cubs and Scouts,

Now of course we would really love to see you at our family camp this weekend, even if only for one day if perhaps you can't stay overnight. But if you are unable to attend on the Saturday, then there is a Gosford district scout activity which you may also be interested in, Gosford District will (weather permitting) be at the Reptile Park from 10.00am, this Saturday 19th May. There will be many cubs and scouts attending a special scout open day there, where admission prices are at a significant discount from the normal. Information on that is attached. Please note that there will be NO leaders from Avoca in attendance at the Reptile Park activity, so supervsion will be up to yourselves. Information on this is in the picture.

Maybe check out the lizards, snakes and crocs enroute to our family camp ??!

Musca.

Ploddy's a Scout !

Ploddy, the Central Coast icon, looks good now !

He's now a scout for the Centenary of scouting, for the world to see.
Next time you're on the F3 coming into Gosford take a look.

Musca.

Scouts go Totally Wild, on TV !

Please watch Totally Wild on Channel Ten at 4pm Tuesday 8 May until Tuesday 15 May (including 7.30am on Saturday 12 May) as Scouts at the Australian Jamboree (AJ2007) will feature. However, still check your local guides for screening times.

Let as many people as possible know about this fantastic exposure for Scouting. Totally Wild has been a strong supporter of Scouting in the past. They have done stories on subjects such as bush survival skills and billy cart races.

Musca.

2008 Year of the Scout !

Latest News !

Prime Minister John Howard has just declared 2008 as the Year of the Scout in Australia.

" NEXT year, 2008, has been declared Year of the Scout to mark the centenary of Australia's scouting movement.

Prime Minister John Howard said Australia was one of the first countries in the world
to adopt scouting.

About 60,000 people were involved in the Australian scouting movement, while another two million had been part of the nation's largest youth development organisation over the past 100 years, Mr Howard said.

"The Government greatly values the contribution these young Australians make to their families, their communities and the entire nation," Mr Howard said.

"To commemorate this event and to recognise the contribution that scouting has made and will continue to make to Australia, I am also pleased to announce that the Australian Government has decided to designate 2008 as the Year of the Scout.

"In addition, the Royal Australian Mint will strike a circulating coin next year to commemorate this event."

Australia's scout halls also would share a government grant of $17.7 million to install rainwater tanks, Mr Howard said.

"This funding will assist the Scouts to generate significant water savings while at the same time providing a tangible and ongoing demonstration of actions we can all take to conserve our precious water resources," he said. "

Re the government grant for installation of rain water tanks, I have already submitted Avoca Beach Scouts application for this back in February, of which I have garnered support from Jim Lloyd, our local Federal member for this. So here's hoping...

Musca.