It’s probably not surprising that the outdoors plays a big role in the Scouting movement – the three “core” Outdoor Activity Skills (OAS) that run from the Joeys section all the way to Rovers are Bushcraft, Bushwalking and Campcraft.
Bushwalking and campcraft are two of the activities that are required for most of the peak awards that can be achieved in Scouts.
Grey Wolf (Cub Scouts)
Using a map, plan and lead an adventurous journey of at least four hours duration with a Leader and a group of three to six Cub Scouts.
Australian Scout Medallion or ASM (Scouts)
Plan and lead an adventurous journey of at least 3 days and 2 nights duration.
Queens Scout Award (Venturer Scouts)
Plan and lead an adventurous journey of at least 4 days and 3 nights duration.
Part of the challenge for a Scout in planning their adventurous journey is selecting an appropriate activity, as well as taking ownership of the logistics. Some of the resources available to help plan a walk that one of our Leaders has put together are:
- Guide to Overnight walks near Sydney – over 40 multi-day walks within a couple hours of Sydney
- Guide to West Head walks – shorter walks suitable for the Cub Scout section.
- Piles Creek Loop – another longer Cubs bushwalk to the north of Sydney, that’s near the Kariong Scout Camp.
Some recent adventurous journeys and activities that have been undertaken by 2nd Gordon…
 Cowan to Berowra – one of the more challenging Grey Wolf hikes, this bushwalk is between Berowra and Cowan stations (with a detour to Berowra Waters for a BBQ lunch). Led by Luke, all of the Cubs completed this 14km walk, albeit with a few sore legs the next day! |
 Resolute Loop – a circuit at West Head in Sydney’s north. Despite overcast weather, the Cub Scouts successfully completed this Grey Wold hike led by Dyan. The bushwalk included a stop and snack break at the Red Hands Cave, where the Cubs looked at the Aboriginal handprints and make some sketches, and some beach cricket in the rain at West Head Beach. |
 Cowan Creek Cleanup – an ambitious Australian Scout Medallion Project led by Tom, that included all sections of 2nd Gordon’s group (Cubs, Scouts, Venturers and Rovers). The project was a clean-up of Cowan Creek in the Ku-ring-gai National Park, using canoes and kayaks to scour the shorelines for rubbish. Over 25 kilograms of general rubbish was collected as well as a very old 20kg wheel/tyre. |