100 Years of Rovers Scouts Victoria Info Book 2018 Scouts Victoria Info Book 2018 1 THE ADVENTURE BEGINS Scouting in Australia is on a journey to develop an updated Scouting program following the YPR. TRIALLING THE NEW PROGRAM In 2017 Victoria had the first Groups trialling this new program as Groundbreaker Groups. In 2018 more Victorian Groups will join them as Pioneers to further test the new program. These Groups are spread across the State and will trial the new program in a variety of settings. NEW PROMISE & LAW Scouts Australia now has an updated Promise & Law to reflect our diverse membership and communities. YOUTH-LEADING SECTIONS All Victorian Groups should be implementing Section Councils. There are great resources available for TC6 (Scouts), PC4 (Cub Scouts) and MC4 (Joey Scout) Councils. This is not hard to do and it is easy to start. PLAN, DO, REVIEW Plan > Do > Review > – means better activities, more fun, and your Section or small team gets to be involved in choosing and organising its own adventures. It helps ensure everyone has a fun, challenging, adventurous and inclusive time in Scouting. All Scouts should be using Plan > Do > Review > – start today! Plan > Do > Review > can be used in all sections of the program. The role of youth in leading, and adults in supporting this process will look a bit different from Section to Section; remember it is about involving youth meaningfully in the whole process. The examples here are geared towards the current Scout section. Further info can be found here: http://ypr.scouts.com.au/projects/plan-do-review/ PROGRAM Scouts Victoria Info Book 2018 3 CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE 2018! JANUARY - Last chance for a 2018 planning weekend! MAY - Scout Hike FEBRUARY - Anything Goes JUNE - Mudbash JULY - Snow Activities MARCH - Kangaree JUNE-OCTOBER - Scout Shows APRIL - Stradbroke Cup APRIL4 - Hoadley Hide Scouts Victoria Info Book 2018 CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE 2018! JANUARY 2019 - Jamboree! SEPTEMBER - Armstrong 500 ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITIES Add some adventure to your program! Abseiling Air Activities Bushwalking Canoe & Kayak Caving OCTOBER - Cohen Shield Cycling Four Wheel Driving Radio & Electronics Rock Climbing Sailing & Power Boating Scuba Diving Ski Touring Water Skiing SOME THEATRE Melbourne Gang Show – June 22-30 Albury Gang Show – June NOVEMBER - Gilweroo Sunraysia Gang Show – July 6-14 Camberwell Showtime – August 3-11 Whitehorse Showtime – August JUNE-OCTOBER - Scout Shows South Metro Showtime – August Strzelecki Showtime – October 12-18 DECEMBER - State ARAP Scouts Victoria Info Book 2018 CHIEF COMMISSIONER 2018 marks the Centenary of Rover Scouts Like many members of Scouts Victoria, past and present, I owe so much to my time in the Rover Section. It was the opportunity to try new things, to develop my skills, to manage projects that I would not get to experience for many years in my professional life, and to make lifelong friends. For me, it was also the time when I made my first big overseas trip, to an international Scouting peace camp in Russia, and found myself caught up in an abortive coup. It was a very scary time, but eventually we were safe. And while the others made their way home, I had to make a big decision: to abandon my planned trip or, despite the trauma, to continue on my journey. I chose the journey, and I am still travelling. The Rover Section is not the largest Section in Scouting but it is one of the most significant. Not everyone lasts for 20 plus years, from Joey Scouts through to the end of Rovers, to attain the Baden-Powell Scout Award. Some decide to become young Leaders instead, and for that we are very grateful. And for others the changes of work, study, and new relationships mean that their Scouting comes to an end. But for those who continue to experience the full breadth of the Rover program, managing their own campsites and ski chalets, running incredible State and national events, and journeying around the world, these are exciting, satisfying and skill- developing times. We are grateful in Victoria for the Rover Section, the largest Rover Section in Australia and, quite frankly, the best organised. The heritage goes back decades through many wonderful Leaders and Rovers who remain now part of the history of Victorian Scouting. And, fortunately for us in Scouts Victoria the Rover Section continues to produce outstanding Leaders who go on to serve others as Leaders of youth, and Leaders of adults in Scouting. 2018 is also the year when we hope to reach out and ‘Share Scouting’. To Share Scouting with more youth, because we are truly committed to the benefits of the Scout program in developing better individuals and developing better community. To Share Scouting with more adults so that they too will know the joys of working with young Victorians, trying new things, learning new skills and making new friends Sharing Scouting in the community, making sure that Scouting is visible in the local community and its contribution is recognised and appreciated. Sharing Scouting with more people - adults, parents, government, other organisations, and many more - so that we share the workload and the cost of providing this extraordinary, visionary program to many more young people in this State. I wish you a great 2018 including major events like the Australian Venture in Queensland, Kangaree in March, and AJ2019 - the 25th Australian Jamboree - in January 2019. These are highlights of our Scouting life, but they would be nothing without creative, fun-filled and satisfying programs delivered in the local Group. Brendan Watson OAM Chief Commissioner Scouts Victoria 6 Scouts Victoria Info Book 2018 CONTENTS Scouts Victoria is a Child Safe organisation with zero-tolerance for any harm, abuse or neglect. We value the diversity of our members, including gender, sexuality, race, religion and ability. Visit our Child Safe Scouting webpage for more information. Scouts Victoria Info Book 2018 7 CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE JOEY SCOUT EVENTS 2018 KANGAREE 5 – Dare to Dream March 17-18 2018 Kangaree is the major event for the Joey Scout Section and will be held at Lardner Park. Joey Scouts from all over the State will come together to share living together in a secure environment, participate in daily activities, enjoy Joey Scout friendly food, night-time entertainment, sleep overnight and most importantly have FUN! JOEY SCOUT LEADERS CONFERENCE – November 17 2018 An opportunity to explore new ideas, details of this event will be available from your District, Region and State Council Leaders and on the Scouts Victoria website. SCOUT EVENTS 2018 BAY JAM – January 7-13 2018 A statewide camp to be held at Bay Park, Mt Martha. Designed by the Scouts from the State Youth Forum as a camp where Scouts and Leaders from all over Victoria can come together for a week to do great activities and make new friends. Bay Jam is great preparation for the 2019 Australian Jamboree. For bookings and information go to www.bayjam.com.au STRADBROKE CUP Brucknell, April 7-10 2018 Eumeralla, Mafeking, Gilwell Park, Treetops, Bay Park March 30 – April 2 2018 A Scout Section event run over the Easter weekend at several venues around Victoria, the Stradbroke Cup is a camping competition with the highest achievers becoming co-holders of the Cup. However, there is also an extensive program of activities available at all venues and Patrols who wish to simply have a fun camping weekend, without actually entering into the Stradbroke competition, are also welcome. Most Stradbroke Cup venues will allow Troops to arrive from Thursday evening. This is a perfect way for Scouts to satisfy the “four nights under canvas consecutively” requirement for a Jamboree or extended camp. The whole event is an opportunity for Scout Troops and Patrols to have an enjoyable camping experience and experience the fellowship of a large combined camp. Contact: Your Scout Commissioner. Details will be available on the Scouts Victoria website. SCOUT HIKE – May 18-20 2018 A hiking and campcraft event for Scouts who do not go hiking regularly, Scout Hike provides an opportunity for experienced Scouts and Patrols to compete for a perpetual trophy. All Patrols who participate receive a pennant and each Scout receives a badge. Leaders are encouraged to get involved in assisting their Scouts to increase their knowledge of hiking and lightweight camping. The selected State forest area is divided into six compulsory campsites and activity points are spread between. Each Patrol hikes to and participates in as many activities as possible, before reaching their set campsites on the Saturday, and again on the Sunday before reaching the HQ site. Activities are centred on a theme and based on the Targets and Challenges. Scouts are bussed into the area on the Friday night (departing 7.00 pm) and home again on the Sunday returning to designated points around 5.00 pm Contact: Scout Commissioner Mt Dandenong – Ian Lancaster, [email protected] FANTASTIC RACE – August 4-5 2018 The race is held across the State on the closest weekend in July/August to World Scout Day. Past events have incorporated: a scavenger hunt, traditional wide game concept, points for/off, follow the spy, etc. Thousands take to the streets, the trains, the buses and on bikes over the State. Let’s make 2018 a BIG year. Event details are as follows: • Event to be District run • Scouts to operate in Patrols • Patrols to visit bases to be set a challenge • Clues to be given to next base • Scouts to use public transport • All Patrols to arrive at a common point • Activities could incorporate award scheme • Safety to be paramount Contact: Your Scout Commissioner 8 Scouts Victoria Info Book 2018 CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE SCOUT YOUTH FORUM – August 10-12 2018 This event for Scouts will be held at a location to be decided.