Scout Activities for Next Term and Anzac Day

Dear Scouts,

Here is a quick update before we all take off on our holidays, so we can "be prepared" for next term!

Firstly, there is no scouts on tonight, Thursday 9th April, we finished the term last week with the ice blocking and BBQ.

Scouts will resume the first full week of the school term, so that's Thursday evening the 7th May at the hall.

We will have a meeting if possible on the Thursday beforehand with the Patrol Leaders (Phil and Tom) to map out the term program, but PLs only please, if available...

Now coming up in next term is an important event, the Region Rally. This is a great overnight, challenging, competitive camp and bushwalk and one for those up to it I would like to see some Avoca Scouts attend if possible. We haven't been for a year and the last patrol we sent in 2007 came real close (they did have a lot of fun though...) and would like to see an Avoca patrol make the the top twenty and get invited to the State rally this year, I reckon some of you guys could do it, you're good!

I can send you an application form for the Region Rally if interested and would like to see if we could form a patrol (or two!) to send, maximum of eight in each patrol. Note that with the term break, we will also need to send in applications as soon as we come back (possibly earlier, I'll confirm that), same week on the Friday, so this is the advance notice. I have sent out separate invitation letters to the Patrol Leaders so they know what's on.

Scouts, for the Region Rally you and your Patrol will be spending the weekend of the 23rd – 24th May hiking in the Wallaroo State Forest (North of Raymond Terrace, Newcastle), you will be relying on yourselves to find the bases, camping out in hike tents, cooking your own food and carrying everything with you that you and your Patrol needs for the week-end. It's self sufficiency, a bit tough, but a lot of fun camping and working together with hundreds of scouts from across the Hunter and Coastal region, many of whom you would have met at the Corroboree. At $12 camp fee for the weekend plus food, it's not an expensive activity...

It would be really good, if you could let me know soon by return email whether or not you may be attend this activity, so I can advise the numbers and start putting the patrols together. At this stage I do plan to attend as the troop leader.

Other things...

** Very Important** during the term holiday break we do have the Anzac Day dawn service at Terrigal memorial (next to the surf club) to which we have been personally invited in writing by the Terrigal-Wamberal RSL sub-branch, this is always a big event and one Avoca Scouts have always attended, it is early at 5.15am but very rewarding. FULL uniform please! This is a very moving and worthwhile service, to which you should also invite your family and friends to participate. At the end, breakfast at Maccas at Erina for all!

Also we have also been invited to participate in a memorial ceremony/service at The Palmdale Group's Greenway Park, Avoca Drive, Greenpoint where they need some people to raise the flag, (scouts are ideally chosen for this as we know how and we are really good community citizens...) this is at 11am, whether we do it or not will depend numbers I can get, it's optional but would be a nice gesture to do for the retired RSL folk and their families. This would be important if we could, as we will conduct the flag raising, but I do know people are also busy on Anzac Day.

Lastly, after a long Anzac Day, you're welcome to join me on Copacabana Beach for the last surf patrol of the season for fun and surf, as I will be on! Whew, what a day!

To help me with planning for these activities if you could please email me back when you can and indicate:

"I will attend (scout's name) or not the following:"

1. Region Rally (yes/no)

2. Anzac Day dawn service Terrigal (yes/no)

3. Anzac Day Greenway Park (yes/no) "

That would be appreciated.

All the best, have a great holiday, have fun and keep safe!

Musca.

Sunday Flying Activity - Reminder

Here is some further information regarding the flying activities we are booked for this Sunday 7th December.

The final balance for payment is due on the day and must be collected before anyone can participate. Cubs are $53 (includes a model) and scouts, leaders, and other flyers are $49 in total. The amount payable on the Sunday is this less what you have already paid (deposit or full amount). Please bring the exact amount in cash for your balance payable on the Sunday as we will not have change.

The permission note previously provided, for all scout members who will be participating this MUST be completed, signed and brought along on the day. This is very important, if we have no signed parental consent form for all members under 18, you cannot fly, full stop. Parents please note if your cub or scout is car pooling with someone else then please make sure they have this note before they leave to avoid any disappointment.

For Security reasons full Scout uniform must be worn at all times as the course involves a lot of movement in and around the airport. If you do not wear this you will not be able to participate in some of the round the airport activiites. Non-members (parents/siblings/new-members) would need to accompany those groups in uniform only. For safety a high level of behaviour will be expected from all participants.

Please bring full packed lunch and morning/afternoon tea. Also bring all water and drinks. It can be quite hot out on the airport tarmac and you will dehydrate quickly, so please bring ample drinking water. There will only be limited/no facilities to purchase food or drinks, so best bring what you can. There are limited BBQ and picnic facilities available for those families that may wish to do that. Sunscreen and hats are essential, I would suggest bringing your scout hat/Avoca Beach cap as part of the uniform.

Cubs and scouts participating, please bring a notepad and pen.

Directions

Camden Airport may be reached by turning off expressway (M5) at the Narellan Rd Exit. Drive through Narellan, past golf course (on left) and turn right into Kirkham Lane (signposted to Airport), left into Macquarie Grove Rd, right into the airport. The Scout Centre buildings are last on the right before reaching the control tower. For us probably best go down the F3, take the M2 and then onto the M7. Allow about a 2 hour journey, although it may take a little less.

We must arrive by 8:30am sharp for all Air Activities.

I would strongly suggest car pooling to keep costs down.

Given the flight demand, movements etc. I would expect the day to end some time around 3-4pm.

It will be a great day, see you there!

Musca.

Scouts Activity Update for Week 13th Nov - 16th Nov

Dear scouts,

Remember, NO scouts at the hall tonight, 13th November.

Activity is on this Saturday, 15th November for the walk to Pindar caves from Wondabyne station. It's about a 2 hour walk in and 2 hour walk out, plus breaks lunch etc.

Meet at Gosford station at 7.50am sharp. If you miss the train, tough, you've missed out, as not too many stop at Wondabyne!

Wear sensible hiking clothing, shoes and a hat. Bring comfortable day backpack with lunch, snacks, water etc. I would recommend at least 2 litres of water, more if you need more. Weather report is for showers, so wet weather gear, poncho etc. is essential.
Check your email for the permission note, you must bring it signed or cannot attend this activity. Email or ask me if you haven't got one.

We expect to be back at Gosford station at 4.10pm. Please arrange to be picked up.

Bring a compass if you one. I will also bring ours from the hall. Maps supplied.

There are plenty of good activities to be performed on this day in regards to compass work, map reading and use of a GPS all which counts towards your Scoutcraft and Pioneer campcraft badges.

Also on Sunday is the Gangshow information afternoon. If you wish to find out more out about Gangshow and try it out, then please go to the introductory session which will be held at East Gosford Scout Hall, 4pm-7pm on Sunday 16th November 2008. I would urge you all to attend, at least to see what its all about. It doesn't hurt to try. Wear uniform for this.

Musca.

Gangshow auditioning now!

Avoca Cubs and Scouts (Leaders too!),

Now if you really want to join in on a fantastic activity where you can have a lot of fun and learn lots of drama skills, then I could not go past recommending the Gang Show crew. Of many of the worthwhile things you can get out of scouting, this is definitely one of them. I would certainly recommend you give consideration to being involved in this, it is definitely worthwhile. Please, I encourage you to do so.

If you wish to find out more and try it out, then an introductory session will be held at East Gosford Scout Hall, 4pm-7pm on Sunday 16th November 2008. I would urge you all to attend, at least to see what its all about. It doesn't hurt to try.

So for those of you that have not been to a past Gang Show performance and Avoca Beach always attends each year as a group, then read on.

Gang Show is an exciting and challenging activity for scouting youth members of all ages. It offers the opportunity to develop imagination within strict guidelines. It enhances leadership skills and particularly self confidence. Youth will develop better interpersonal relationships with people who are both considerably younger and considerably older than themselves. Young people who are naturally extroverts find an outlet for their talents, but the people who benefit most are the shy and introverted scouts who don't seem to have any particular skills.

Scouts Australia encourages the performing arts as part of its programming. Many Scouting members have received basic experience and moved onto bigger and better things by starring in a Gang Show. These shows give cast and crew vital confidence and experience in a variety of areas from acting and stage management to costume and set design.

“Melbourne Gang Show was a highlight for me as it gave me my thirst for performing,” says Shane Jacobson, star of the movie Kenny.

Writer, actor and comedian Dave O'Neil says: "Gang Show is where I got my first taste of showbiz!"

No don't be scared I encourage you to take up the challenge. Please go along on the Sunday (in uniform) to find out more, you have nothing to lose but plenty to gain!

If you need more information please ask me.

Musca.

We're Flying!

Avoca Beach Cubs and Scouts are scheduled to attend the Scout Air Activities Centre flying day and course on Sunday 7th December 2008.

Details are:

For cubs, the Cub Level 2 Badge day is designed to be run in conjunction with a normal Activity Flying day. The cost for the course is $53.00 (including GST) per Cub with a deposit of $5.00 per person payable within 6 weeks. This covers a flight in the Scout aircraft, a model aircraft, and use of the Centre. Leaders and family members need only pay for their flight ($49.00, including GST) if participating in this activity. Should you have members wishing to participate in the badge course but not wishing to fly then the cost is $15:00 we do not recommend this as most young people need to feel part of the overall activity and take part in the flying experience.

For scouts, The cost of the course is $49:00 per scout, which includes GST, with a deposit of $5:00 per scout payable within 5 weeks of booking. Leaders, family members and friends are welcome to participate in the flying part of this activity, the cost for this is the same as for the Scout Badge Course.

See you there and lets take to the air!

See Musca for more details.

Scouts Hike to History

Go scouts!

THE Leeton Scout troop has taken part in a hike to commemorate a piece of Australian aviation history.

On October 25, the troop completed a 17km hike in the rugged mountains of the northern parts of Kosciuszko National Park, commemorating the discovery of the wreckage of the Southern Cloud.

The disappearance of the airliner Southern Cloud on March 21, 1931 was Australia’s greatest air mystery.

The three-engined plane disappeared on a flight from Sydney to Melbourne and its wreck was not discovered until October 26, 1958.

Leaving Leeton on October 24, Scout leader Mark McDougal said 15 members of 1st Leeton Troop stayed at Base Cabramurra, the alpine facility of the Riverina Scouts located at Australia’s highest town.

After a Friday night hike and a good night’s sleep, the troop set off by car for the 25km trip to the vicinity of Round Mountain, where the hike commenced.

“We arrived at the wreck site and memorial, located at 1200metres, at 2pm and stayed for 20 minutes or so, contemplating Australia’s first air disaster that saw the loss of eight people, not found for nearly three decades,” Mr McDougal said.

“The photos of the cane and wicker passenger chairs of the cabin were particularly evocative.”

The Scout group chose the solitude of eve of the discovery anniversary to make the trek to avoid the commemorations that would take place the next day.

On the way back down, the group paused at the mountain hut of Bradley and O’Brien, a grazing hut built in the 1950s before the road between Cabramurra and Khancoban was built.

Travelling home on the Sunday, the Scouts stopped at the thermal pool at Yarrongobilly, which has become a firm favourite of the troops in any weather.

JOTI - This weekend!

Dear Cubs and Scouts,

Looking for a bit of scouting following the break?

The look no further than your home PC!

Over this whole weekend is the Jamboree of the Internet, which scouts of all ages worldwide participate in and you can too.

If you have access to a PC with internet access, either at home, a friends place or in a public place, you can participate and it's free!

JOTI attracts a large number of Scouts who make contact with other Scouts through safe Scout Operated Inernet chat rooms, MSN, email, webpages, blogs etc. You can even use voice communication on the Internet. You can take part in JOTI as a group or individually at home.

For more information and details on how to register please go to: http://www.jotajoti.org and click on Register for JOTA-JOTI.

Once you have completed that process click on the tab for Join in! on the JOTI page at http://www.joti.org/en/index.html

My JOTI email address for this event is: musca@2008.jotajoti.org send me a message!

And you can catch me online using IRC with the nickname musca, if you do, say hi!

Establish an account, chat to other scouts online, send them emails, prove you participated and there will be a special JOTA/JOTI badge in it for you!

All the best and have a great JOTI !

Musca.