SIX Upper Hunter scouts have returned from the 25th Australian Jamboree, held at Taliem Bend, an hour outside of Adelaide.
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“South Australia was host to the youngest town in the country as 8500 Scouts aged 11 to 14 splashed, climbed and raced through 150 activities,” scout leader Greg Morris said.
“It was not just adventurous activities, like abseiling, rock climbing, land yachting, shooting and dragon boat racing, but also those that provided scouts with skills-based learning like soldering, a drone school, hairdressing and plumbing. There’s even an activity where they learnt to put together an IKEA flat pack.
“In small groups they decided which activities they wanted to do and worked together to complete them.”
The Jamboree was held on a 200-hectare site being developed into a new motorsport precinct.
So going for a drive in a racing car was a unique experience available to many scouts.
Part of the racetrack was converted into airstrip with numerous scouts able to fly in a glider over the campsite.
Several scouts had won a competition to ask questions of to those working in the International Space Station.
“Camping in a troop of 36 scouts from Hunter and Central Coast Lakes district, the scouts did their own shopping for food, cooking, cleaning and washing,” Greg Morris said.
“After a fortnight away from home, they returned more independent and resilient people.
“Accompanied by 2500 adults, makes this a big tent city. There were 16 semi-trailers of food delivered to the camp each day. The Jamboree consumed 50 tonnes of ice. The city has it’s own newspaper, radio station, hospital and fire station.”
Not only do scouts gather from every corner of Australia but from neighbouring countries like New Zealand, Fiji, Indonesia and further afield like United Kingdom, Canada and Bangladesh.
Plenty of variety at night with talent quests and talented performers like Justice Crew.
“Our thanks to the business houses, RSL, Race Club, Rotary, Lions, Inner Wheel who helped give our local youth the experience of a lifetime.”