At a Glance

Our Group Camp this year takes on a different style to that of previous years in as much it will be a one night camp under canvas. The format will be that Cubs and Scouts will create their own camp and be responsible for everything from transport, menu, set-up, and tents to dismantle and cleanup at the finish. Adults will create their own camp separate from the kids but look after themselves in the same way.

How it will all work

Cubs and Scouts

• Leaders will organise cubs and scouts to create 4 groups of those going to camp with mixture of boys from each section in each group.
• Each group will then forms their own "subcamp" i.e. there will have 4 subcamps making the one camp.
• Subcamps will meet prior to camp and choose their own "committee" from the patrol and six leaders of that group. Each subcamp will need to elect a leader, treasurer, a person in charge of food, quartermasters for camping gear and cooking equipment, a games person, a transport co-ordinator and so on.
• Each subcamp will choose their camp area (first in first choice), ALL members of the subcamp must camp in that area. They can choose a name and maybe have a gateway and a boundary fence. All the subcamps need to be within sight of each other and the adult/leader camping area for security reasons.
• Cubs and scouts will take a lead role in running their subcamp with their elected leaders. They will provide their own tents (sleeping groups of 2’s or 3’s in pup tents). They provide all their there own gear including cooking and washing facilities (parents BBQ?, bowls, pots, buckets, cooking utensils, chilli bins, sun umbrella, BBQ table etc from home) A dining shelter of some sort may need to be constructed.
• Each subcamp will work out their own menu (1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1dinner) and purchase their supplies accordingly (perhaps Friday night?) A cut lunch from home is needed for Saturday. Each subcamp will be responsible for getting ALL their gear to and from camp with parent help.
• Leaders will get all members of the subcamp together before camp so they can work out what they want to do. A budget will have to be worked out and monies for food will have to be collected. We have the week nights prior to camp to do this.
• A points score for camp layout, tidiness, safety, health and hygiene etc. will be kept by leaders. This is standard practice at scout camps, Regatta and Jamboree and will be a good training opportunity for cubs and scouts at this camp. Points can be lost if the subcamp needs to borrow something from leaders or another subcamp. (things like matches or a canopener)

Keas

• Keas can join in the activities of a subcamp but must sleep in their own tent with their own parent / parents. A separate kea / parent tent site will be established near or in the adult campsite.

Venturers

• Venturers can join a subcamp or set up their own site.

Adults

• The group tents and cooking gear will be available to leaders, committee and parents.
• Adults will establish their own campsite separate from the subcamps. Some may wish to take their own tents or caravan. Others may wish to commute home (only 15mins away) Adults need to provide their own food or organise by mutual agreement. For the serious campers who like to really relax, KFC or Pizza delivery may be an option.
• Leaders tents will be scattered so they will be "within earshot" of subcamps for security / control. A central dinning, cooking "social" tent for adults will be provided.

• The tide is ideal for a beach day Saturday (11.24) and it is proposed that all the boats (cutters, sunbursts canoes etc) be taken and enjoyed both Saturday and Sunday.
• We have the patrol boat, biscuit and new ski bob.
• Parents with Jet skis and private boats are welcome to bring them along as well.
• Other activities are available such as fishing, swimming, water skiing, wide games.
• Campfire at night.

• The cost for this camp will be $10.00 per head and is payable directly to the group. (a notice for this will be issued to collect this later) The only additional cost is food which should be no more than $5.00 per child. This is put in the collective subcamp pool under the care of the subcamp treasurer and spent on shopping night. Parents cover their own food requirements.

Why we chose this Camp

• Our cubs and scouts can create and organise their own camp.
• Kids love to cook and can organise themselves to their hearts content by doing their own meals, its self governing to a certain extent as they all have to pull their own weight. The points system keeps everybody performing and the standards high.
• We can have a campfire. (campfire circle provided)
• We have the whole place to ourselves so noise won’t be too much of an issue. This however is not an invitation to those who play the trumpet, bagpipes or sing off key to do so into the small hours!
• Cost is right.
• The boats and beach has always been really popular and we can take advantage of this with the tides.

Weather

Nice sunny days with a bit of cloud to minimise sunburn

Or for the pessimists amongst us......

Footnote:   Well the pessimists won! We had torrential rain Saturday night with most of the lightweight tents leaking. Sunday was decidedly cooler with light showers. Heavier showers just as we were packing to leave so all gear came back soaked. Hey! but isn't that the fun of camping.

Last Updated on 22/10/99
By G. Brown