Australian Boy Scouts?

**Binford** · 2nd November 2009, 01:05 AM

I am pretty active as an adult leader in the BSA (Boy Scouts of America) organization with my older son, age 11, in Boy Scouts and my younger son, age 8, in Cub Scouts.

I know this Scouting stuff is pretty much world-wide, but I've never heard of what the organization is like down in Australia. Anyone here into Scouting with their sons?

**JDNSW** · 2nd November 2009, 05:24 AM

See Scouts Australia

I am not involved - my "boy scout" is having his 40th birthday in three weeks! So far all my grandchildren are girls, the older two are Girl Guides (Australian equivalent of Girl Scouts, still going although Scouts now accept girls in Australia). My brother, who lives in Houston, TX, is heavily involved with the sailing program for the Girl Scouts.

John

**Savanahkelpy** · 2nd November 2009, 05:27 AM

I,m not currently active in the organisation, but i was a member, in my youth. I participated in cubs, Lone scouts, scouts, and venturers. I was lucky enough to get to go the 10th australian jamboree, in Adelaide,(circa1974), and the 4th Australian Venture, in Canberra, (circa1977).
I guess that it was a major reason, why i feel more comfortable, and at home in the bush, than i do in any big cities. I,m not sure of the status of the organisation, localy or national, as i,m sure there are lots of other competing aspects and interests that capture the time, interest and energy of todays modern young people.
Laurie.

**Shonky** · 2nd November 2009, 07:12 AM

I came up through Joeys (6-9) Cubs (9-11) Scouts (11-15) Venturers (15-18) and I quit after about a month as a Rover (18-25)

I was fortunate that I was in an active group, with many amazing leaders. In particular, my Scout leader was an instrumental part of my upbringing and an amazing mentor. The relationship is best described as half grandfather/half best mate. I owe a hell of a lot to him and we remain in contact to this day.

My venturer leader is also still a good mate of mine, and we often go climbing together.

Many lifelong friends made, many funny stories, many burn scars...

Without doubt the best years of my life.

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 2nd November 2009, 07:24 AM

Thats how a friend of mine learnt to fly,,
apparently the scout's own several aircraft----

**abaddonxi** · 2nd November 2009, 08:31 AM

Judging from the forum you have posted this thread in, there are a few differences between US Scouts and here.

You may not rub them together.

You also may not use them for bush tucker.

**Shonky** · 2nd November 2009, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

Thats how a friend of mine learnt to fly,,
apparently the scout's own several aircraft----

Correct.

They own a hanger and a building or three at Camden Airport. 3 Cessna 172s and a 152 (at least thats what was there 5 years ago)

There is likely others in other states.

**numpty** · 2nd November 2009, 12:46 PM

I too used to dib and dob in my youth. Did a year in scouts and then went to Boys Brigade.

A little known fact maybe, but Baden Powell was an office bearer with the Boys Brigade, before he formed the Scouting movement.

**isuzutoo-eh** · 2nd November 2009, 02:19 PM

I went throught Cubs, Scouts and Venturers too. Totally fun experience.

Years after I left the org, my cub leader used to lead canyoning trips-sensational. His brother is a member on this forum and heavily into the LROCS

I don't think I'd appreciate Australia and the bush as much if I hadn't gone through the scouting movement, and because of the experience I gained I have the confidence to lead hikes, bike rides, kayaking and camping trips and all that flows into leadership in other areas.

When meeting randoms at parties there is an often perceptable difference between those who have been through Scouts and everyone else. BTW Its a good difference

Scouts in NSW have the light aircraft Shonky mentioned (they have more in QLD too that I know of), and they also have a beaut Blanik glider which I have flown.

I left because my Venturer troop was dying off

and I didn't want to join my sisters troop

EDIT: If I ever get someone pregnant, the child will go through scouts and if the troop isn't active enough for my liking I'll lead it.

Scouts Australia is great!

-Mark

**Binford** · 3rd November 2009, 01:06 AM

If you ever get someone pregnant.... Heh, heh, heh.... Good one!

Originally Posted by abaddonxi

Judging from the forum you have posted this thread in, there are a few differences between US Scouts and here.

You may not rub them together.

You also may not use them for bush tucker.

Eh?! Sorry!

The first thing I think of when I hear the term "Scouts" is camping and bush basics. My son is working on his next advancement and as part of that has to plan and supervise the preparation of a day's meals for his Patrol on their next outing. So I figured such a topic fit this forum like, well....like a Landy would fit in my driveway!

Got your own planes and gliders, huh?! Must be for the Rovers then, I take it.

We've got Cub Scouts, which include Tigers (6-7) and "Cub Scouts" (Wolves [7-8] and Bears [8-9]) and finally Webelos (WE'll BE LOyal Scouts) [9-11]. After that the boys cross over to a Boy Scout Troop (11-18). There is also the Venture program, which is co-ed, for ages 14-21, and Sea Scouts (11-18?).

I am currently the Cubmaster for our Cub Scout Pack. It's a new role for me and I'm really enjoying it. We're doing more as a Pack than we'd ever done before. We did a camping trip a few weeks ago--something our Pack had never done since any of the current families were involved. The boys absolutely had a blast! I spent a good deal of the time tending to the Dutch Ovens cooking everyone's dinner and breakfast.

My older son, as I mentioned, is a Boy Scout. So I've been active with his troop for about 9 months now and find that is a serious hoot for the adult leaders like me who enjoy being out in the woods. That program is completely "boy-lead" with the adult leaders acting as mentors and to supervise the boys for safety issues and such. On outings the boys are divided into Patrols and we adults form basically our own Patrol. There we lead by example by having a healthy campfire, really good tucker and tents that don't collapse in the middle of the night! Some of the boys catch on that they don't have to suffer with oatmeal every breakfast and hot dogs every lunch, etc.

When I bring my family down for our 3-week Tassie holiday (March 2012), I'd like to find a local Scout group to go on an outing with or something. Shake some left hands and all that...

Any Tasmanian Scouters here?

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