Clean Up taps scouts to boost awareness

Organisers of the Clean Up the World campaign are tapping into the scout movement's 28 million members in 120 countries to boost their global cause.

Clean Up the World, a community-based environmental program, mobilises an estimated 35 million volunteers annually.

The program had enjoyed a strong relationship with the scouts for many years, Australian chairman Ian Kiernan said on Monday as he announced a new global alliance between the two movements.

"We recognise that with 28 million scouts worldwide, that this is an incredible potential source of volunteers.

"We are looking at seeing how many scouts we can get involved in the 120 countries we're involved in.

"We've had 35 million people last year volunteer for clean up the world, and hopefully with this strengthened relationship with scouts globally, we may see those numbers increase quite dramatically."

Volunteer participation had allowed the organisation to expand into broader environmental issues, including the Clean up the Climate strategy, Mr Kiernan said.

"We are able to do this because of the strength that's delivered to us through the volunteers."

Scouts Australia Chief Commissioner John Ravenhall said protecting the environment was a key part of the movement's ethos.

"We've been pretty strong on Clean up Australia and now this is a wider opportunity," he said.

"But it also gives us the opportunity to be an example to other national scouting organisations around the world."

Participation in clean up-programs was all locally coordinated by individual scouting groups, Mr Ravenhall said.

"We're putting water tanks in every scout group or scout hall in Australia, that wishes to have a water tank, so that's another commitment to the environment."

The Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector Ursula Stephens said the alliance was seen as an important step in fostering volunteer participation across the country and the world.

"Officially, 5.4 million Australians over the age of 18 volunteer," she said.

"That's around 34 per cent of the adult population and they give a total of about 713 million volunteer hours."

Supporting the alliance was an important part of the Rudd government's social inclusion agenda to encourage more volunteering, Senator Stephens said.

Avoca Beach Scouts have always been strong supporters of the Clean Up Australia Day campaign conducting this jointly every year with the Lions Club from our hall for the Avoca Beach area. We're in!

Musca.

Anzac peace prize for Scouts

The ANZAC Peace Prize, announced annually, is awarded by the RSL to ‘recognise any outstanding effort by an Australian citizen who has promoted the concept of international understanding and who, in so doing, has made a contribution to world peace.’

The RSL Anzac Awards Committee awarded the 2008 Anzac Peace Prize to Scouts Australia. 2008 is the Year of the Scout and marks the centenary of Scouting in Australia. The award of the ANZAC Peace Prize recognises the part that Scouting has played in the development of two million Australians over the past 100 years, both as individuals and as citizens.

Avoca Scouts Big International night

Dear scouts,

For those that came to our Darkinjung dreaming experience (I think most of you), I trust you had a good time, I did!

Although I am not so sure if I really can make a decent meal out of Termites, they didn't taste too bad though...

This week on the calendar is our International Night for this Thursday night (22nd May) at the hall.

Now for this you have a bit to do, after all we're scouts, we make an effort...

You must come and represent any country of your choosing, the only exception being Australia, we're all Australians after all.

You choose the country you like, it does not have to be based on your heritage, ethnicity or anything else, just one you like, interests you and can get information on, perhaps you have visited it before, which might make it easier.

For your country of choice, you must:

1. Dress in something appropriate or representative of that country. It does not have to be national dress or anything like that (although can be if you want..) but just something that is representative of, or worn in that country. But please do not dress in anything dereogative, poor taste or perhaps offensive to that country (wrapping yourself in bandages and saying you come from China is definitely not acceptable at this point in time! I think you get the idea...).

2. Obtain information in regards to that country, history, background, population, language, geography, sports etc. together with any other interesting facts, humorous or otherwise and be prepared to present it to the group. Hint, there's lots of stuff on the internet.

3. Be prepared to do a skit, sing a song, play music or entertain us in some way (follow on from our entertainment night...) in regards to some cultural aspect or otherwise of your country of choice.

4. Bring food to share that is representative of your country. A national dish, a taste of the country, something to eat. Please bring enough to eat that will contribute as a meal. We will sit down together to eat it as a meal, so bring enough for all to share. If you all make an effort, this is dinner.

5. Anything else you want to do for your country, remember, your country needs you!

OK again the rules are, all countries except Australia are acceptable. You must genuinely make an effort and satisfy all four topics above. Please, if you are not willing to make an effort and be prepared to have a bit of fun, then give this night a miss and do not come. Also do not come if you don't bother dressing appropriately for your country either.

The work above forms part of badgework for learning about international cultures, so bring your green books for marking off. Again, no effort, no sign off.

There will be a prize for the best effort made and you will be voting for it.

Note that cubs aged 10 or higher I will also be inviting so they can see what scouts do and do a bit of linking. You are also welcome and encouraged to bring friends along, again provided they follow the rules above and above all make an effort.

It will be a great night, if you want it to be, cya globe trotters!

Musca.

Scouts offer a National Amateur Radio School

Get your amateur radio licence and badge!

Scouts Australia is offering a school in Amateur Radio for youth and adult members of Scouting.

The school will be conducted in Melbourne over 5 days during the September school holidays, and hopes to attract Scouts from around Australia.

The school is modeled on a successful activity conducted in Perth last January, at which three Scouts earned their Foundation Amateur Radio License. Scouts of all ages who hold an Amateur Radio license may wear a special insignia on the sleeve of their Scout Uniform.

The idea of the school is to bring together Scouts from far and wide to learn new skills. The School aims to give participants a wide range of practical experience and on-air time as well as gaining the knowledge needed to pass the
exam.

One example of the practical application of theory at the January School was where each participant calculated lengths, cut and constructed a half wave dipole for 10 metres, then tested and tuned it using two methods, using a Transmitter and SWR meter, and by using an Antenna Analyser.

The course is being hosted by the Scout Radio and Electronics Service Unit in Melbourne, the same team who brought us the amazing ARISS contact during the Australian Jamboree in January 2007.

We’ve something to look forward to from the team that took Amateur Radio to the Jamboree.

We’ll keep you informed as the detail of the school is finalized.

Bob Bristow VK6POP

JOTA-JOTI Coordinator, Scouts Australia

Note, this information was provided by Bob Bristow, whom I had the pleasure to work with during the Australian Jamboree in 2007 in the internet cafe. Bob knows his radio stuff!

Musca.

Darkinjung Dreaming and Bush Tracker Experience

G'day scouts and cubs,

Here's an update and further details on this weekends Dakinjung Dreaming activity.

• Darkinjung Dreaming includes a walkabout through our natural bushland, discovering ancient Aboriginal engravings and paintings, mixing ochre into face paint and washing up with bush soap
• Bush Tracker includes catching yabbies, learning how to track kangaroos and wallabies, trying out real bush tucker, learning how to get water from trees and hearing about how the Darkinjung people used bush medicine

Provisional Plan for the Day

(This may change according to conditions at the park)

13:00 Arrive at park, get organised, toilet break, quick lunch (self-catered).

13:30 Darkinjung Dreaming program begins

15:00 Short break: toilets etc.

15:15 Bush Tracker program begins

16:45 Program ends

17:00 Leave park

No food will be provided (other than that which you catch or find yourself!) so please have lunch beforehand. Drinks (hot and cold) and ice creams are available in the shop if required at cost.

Please ensure you do arrive by 1.00pm sharp (we won't wait!) so there is plenty of time before the start. You can see that it is a packed afternoon of activities.

Uniform optional, but please wear your Avoca scarf and sensible clothing suitable for walking around the bush in. I would suggest good shoes or boots and a sun hat. Also if the weather looks a little dicey bring rain gear. The activity goes ahead rain, hail or shine (well hopefully not too much hail...). Also bring a filled water bottle.

Overall cost is $15 per person, so if you have already paid the $10 deposit at the meetings last week, then please bring the balance of the $5 with you. Note that only those who have paid can attend the activity, the numbers are fixed. As this is an external activity, please bring your signed permission note with you. Additional copies will be provided on the day.

Cya there, Musca.

The location is the:

Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park
2375 Peats Ridge Road & Darkinjung Road
Calga NSW
Australia 2250

Phone: (02) 43751100
Website: www.walkaboutpark.com.au

Here's a map:

“Bush Experience” Weekend 17th/18th May

Cubs and scouts,

Avoca Beach Scouts have put together a fantastic weekend of bush oriented activities for you to enjoy and whether you want to do it all or just part, its completely up to you!

Firstly the Gosford District scouts have put on a fun day at the reptile park on Saturday 17^th May from 9am to closing. There is a big reduction in entry fees and activities for badge work. Note this is run by Gosford district not Avoca Beach, cubs and scouts from all across Gosford will be attending; information attached. Once you have finished with the reptiles, it’s onto camping…

Avoca Beach cubs, scouts and their families will be camping at the Camp Kariong scout camp (directions attached) over the weekend, which is in close proximity to all the activities. This is great scout camping, in a full bush environment, but with all amenities close by and a campfire! Camp fees for the weekend are only $3 for one day/night per person, BYO food and camp gear. Arrive anytime you like during Saturday, after 9am. Depart Sunday afternoon. We will have the group BBQ for a Saturday evening feast and also for a hot breakfast on Sunday if you desire. Please advise if you are not attending with one of your family members and also if you do not have your own gear and require anything. For a list of what to bring (other than your own camp gear) see our website under the Library tab in the document “Packlist for a Camp”.

Then on Sunday following lunch its the Darkinjung Dreaming experience, indigenous Australian bush lore and tucker at it’s best! The plan for this is:

Meet at the corner of Peats Ridge and Darkinjung Rd, Calga

Time: 1.30 til 3pm Darkinjung Dreaming

3pm - 3.30pm Break ( bring your own drinks / food)

3.30pm - 5pm Bush Tracker Programme (face painting, bush tucker food, bush medicine, bush soap etc.)

Great activities for all ages, educational, bring your friends, bring your family!

If you intend to do the Darkinjung activity then we need to book now. Please bring $10 deposit for each person attending to the cub or scout meeting this week. Depending on the final numbers attending it is expected to cost no more than $15 per head in total for this activity. Note that any costs for the reptile park and camping are not required in advance, they are payable on the day.

For all members uniform is required for the Reptile park activity (see attached note), when arriving and leaving Camp Kariong (normal scout etiquette), but is optional for the Darkinjung activity on Sunday. Wear suitable clothing for walking in the bush for this.

So you choose how much or how little you wish to do, depending on your own weekend commitments, time and budget. Remember you can camp for just $3 plus food. There is no obligation or requirement to attend any or all of these activities, it’s up to you. But I am sure it will all be fun!

CU there, Musca.

Reptilian Scouts!

Well scouts are not really reptiles, perhaps with the exception of a few old leaders...

But it's more a case of scouts meet the reptiles at the Gosford district scouts:

Family fun Day

At

The Australian Reptile Park

Saturday, 17^th May 2008

Cost: Under 3 years: free

3 – 15 years $ 7.00

15 years – adults $15.00

Concession: $ 8.00

This is a big reduction in cost especially for Scouting and their families and friends, so bring everyone for a fun day out!

Bring your own picnic lunch or buy from the canteen.

Please wear your uniform, hat, sunscreen, sensible walking shoes.

Apart from the great things to see at the Reptile Park, we will have several activities where youth members can work on some of their badge work.

See you there, Musca.