Venturer Unit's great start to the year
The Venturer Unit continues to offer a wide range of activities and challenges to its members.
Weve had a great start to the year, with a swimming night; a scavenger hunt in the city; an activity night at the Scout Hall; and, of course, Annual Camp. Everyone really enjoyed the swimming night (through an amazing stroke of luck that happened to be on the 35° day).
The Venturers also recently went on its Annual Camp up to Elliott Lodge, just out of Healesville, where we took full advantage of the recently renovated kitchen. The Venturer Unit often visits the property, where as well as having access to the lodge, we have a shack that is currently in the process of being renovated.
On this visit Venturers continued the environment project, which involved the replanting of native plants local to the area, along the banks of Chum Creek.
It is hoped that this replanting will reduce the erosion of the creek bank and encourage native birds and animals back to the area. Venturers also assisted the Caretaker by undertaking some of the regular maintenance work on the property.
Near the end of last year we went to Vic Gathering, a huge branch camp. Nearly nine hundred Venturers attended.
Some of the activities available included making milk-crate stacking; watching the all-night movies in the hayshed; playing pool or basketball in a barn; skeet shooting; talking to new friends; and watching a remote control plane demonstration. There were about thirty activities on offer.
Over the Christmas holidays one of our Venturers, Ned Letcher completed his level 2 expedition, as he worked towards completion of his Queens Scout Award. In all, he will have spent about 300 hours to complete this goal and throughout this journey he has been able to gain valuable life and management skills.
Finally weve just been to Anything Goes, the years first multi-activity camp. The activities (of which we were allowed to choose three) included go-karting, gliding, water-skiing, 4WDs, motorbikes intro and advanced, scuba diving, a car driving competition, and abseiling down a cliff face off-site (you thought Mt. Everest was high?) Of course there were heaps more people to meet there as well.
Venturers has had a great start to the year and with an exciting line-up of activities and a strong group of Venturers, it will be another big year.
The Venturer Unit meets each Friday night from 6.30pm 9.45pm at the Venturer Room at the Scotch Scout Hall.
So come along to a meeting and see for yourself some the activities and fun that you can have.
Contact either Desmond Fung or Ned Letcher during school to find out more about the Venturer Unit and our activities.
Jonathan Newnham