Following a quiet Covid year with limits on activities, 1st Dural Scout Group members have been very active in early 2021.
The Scouts, Cubs and Joeys enjoyed a sailing day with the special Scout unit Scouts Water Based Activities Woolwich (SWASH) with fun paddling, motorboating and sailing.
The Venturers helped a local resident to remove lots of bamboo from a property, then turned it into a working raft. The Venturers also took a beech hike recently as described below.
- Venturers Beach Hike Article (Cameron McArthur)
On the 26th-27th of February, I went with the 1st Dural Venturer troop on a hike with a strange description; all we were told about the location was it was near a beach, and we had to bring scooters. We were to be dropped off somewhere nearby and told to hike to certain landmarks until we got to the ‘campsite’, and then we’d just relax and have fun for the rest of the trip.
As it turned out, our leader had a house near Nelson Bay, and we camped in the backyard with access to a bathroom and shower. In other words, compared to what we’re used to, luxury. From there we did many things: we swam on the beach, scootered to the shops to grab ice-cream, and hiked to a lighthouse and up a mountain. Both trips were relatively easy but filled with interesting sights. For instance, on the way to the lighthouse we walked through shallow water to an island, where we also found the burned-down ruins of a house, and from the lookout on the mountain we could make out a wedding taking place on the beach.
Although I’d packed for a proper camp, we ended up ordering late-night pizza, and where I’d expected the weather to sour my mood it only kept the beaches devoid of many people. It ended up being a relaxed trip, but a very nice one.
1st Dural Scouts meet weekly during the school term, at our hall at 414 Galston Rd, Dural.
We cover all levels of scouting, up to Venturers, with both girl and boy members meeting on the following nights: Joeys (5 – 8 years) Thursdays, Cubs (8 – 11 years) Wednesdays, Scouts (12 – 15 Years), Mondays and Venturers (16 -18) Tuesdays
If your children are interested, please text Ian McArthur on 0411 025 512 for details.
