His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia welcomed Scouts from across Northmead, Baulkham Hills and Castle Hill to the grounds of Government House for the first time ever last Sunday 14th April to Friday 19th April. In total, the event had over 1,400 Scouts attending from the whole of Australia.
The Scouts Australia Camp marks the first time in history that Government House has opened its doors to Scouts, promising a week of unparalleled adventure, camaraderie, and personal growth.
Scouts aged 5 to 25 from NSW and other states had the opportunity to enjoy a range of activities hosted throughout the ACT, including ropes courses, abseiling, mountain biking, bouldering and much more.
His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia is the Chief Scout of Scouts Australia.
“I am delighted that the grounds of Government House will be the backdrop for so many scouts from across Australia to come together, immerse themselves in team-building activities and forge lifelong friendships. It is going to be an action packed, fun few days and Linda and I are pleased to support Scouts Australia to host what will be a memorable occasion for all involved”, the Governor-General said.
Assisted by Adult Leaders, all participants from Joey Scouts (aged 5 – 8) right through to Rover Scouts (aged 18-25) camped, dined and engaged in team-building activities, fostering lifelong friendships and memories.
Scouts had the opportunity to curate their own adventure-filled journey, selecting from a diverse spectrum of activities that cater to every interest and passion. From immersive explorations of flora and fauna to deep dives into Indigenous history and culture, emergency services simulations, photography sessions, enthralling theatre and performing arts workshops, to challenges like helicopter simulations, Archery and Rogaining (the sport of bush navigation), the camp’s program was a customisable experience for every Scout.
The camp enabled the Scouts to achieve real learning outcomes whilst enshrining an adventurous, fun, challenging and inclusive program.
Research conducted by Scouts Australia in collaboration with Resilient Youth Australia has highlighted the profound positive impact of Scouting on participants’ lives.
Findings revealed that Scouts have an overall better life satisfaction than their non-Scouting peers, and that the longer they stay in Scouts, the more resilient they are likely to become. In particular, Scouts have a healthier mental state than non- Scouts (62.1% v 49.1%) and are more likely to feel good about themselves (81.8% v 70%).
To see the full adventure these youth members embarked on, please view the agenda they undertook: scouts.com.au/blog/2023/05/30/ggs-camp-2023-program/
