Camp Report - 2017 Tasmania Trip
Tenth Takes on Tasmania After the delay at Melbourne Airport on the 24th of September- we were eventually off and on our way to Launceston! We spent the rainy first night in the 4th Launceston Scout Hall, starting the trip afresh in the morning sunshine. For our first day in Tasmania we travelled to River and Rocks Campground near Coles Bay via a stop at Lake Leake, where some of the Scouts were even brave enough for a swim! On Tuesday morning, we made the short hop from River and Rocks Campground into Freycinet National Park where the three hike groups began their overnight hike. The first group made good progress, with the straightforward route enabling them to get to camp early, and spend some time at the beach. The second hike group which camped at the same spot as the first group, made it a little later, having chosen an alternative route there, which we found out out a few kilometres in was partly closed, so the hike required some re-routing. The third group (of older scouts) had a little further to go, but made good time. The best fun is always unplanned and, after tackling the day's walking, members of groups one and two found the energy to play some sort of version of tiggy on the beach, well into the night - not even the cold could dampen spirits. On Wednesday morning hike groups one and two were woken up to familiar voices. Scouts from hike group three had gotten themselves up, far earlier then needed, at 4.00 am, and made the multi-kilometre trek to the other hike groups so they were there in good time to wake everybody up at 6.30! The Scouts also had somewhat of an encounter with the local wildlife. At midday on Wednesday the hike finished, and it was time for lunch and showers, with only four minutes running time until the water cut off. I don’t think some of the Scouts had ever had such a quick shower before! Then it was into the cars for the drive to Lime Bay at the top of the Tasman Peninsula. Despite the rain it was a fairly luxurious experience at Lime Bay, with the first encounter with flushing toilets for quite some time! The view from the campsite was spectacular and on Thursday morning we took patrol photos on the beach. The main focus of Thursday was a visit, tour and boat cruise at Port Arthur. The Scouts learned all about the convict past of Port Arthur, including what it would have been like for prisoners their age- giving new meaning to the term “Silent Treatment”. Port Arthur also brought with it a fair share of sombre moments, with a visit to the memorial for victims of the 1996 massacre, a sad but significant piece of our history. After the Port Arthur visit we made the drive to The Lea Scout Camp, in Hobart. By this stage the Scouts were so close they were practically family, or “FamBam” at least! The Scouts were quite “bubbly” still- some of them literally! Friday morning was a rest morning (a small sleep in, late breakfast, showers etc.), and in the afternoon the group travelled into Hobart to see some of the sights. Friday night was party time- the Scouts organised an end of trip party, with the theme of a children’s birthday, and it was a treat to celebrate making it though the trip thus far. On Saturday we decided to travel back to Launceston via the alternative, more mountainous route, and what a great decision that turned out to be. Although it meant we did not have enough time for Mini-Golf, what we came across was much more fun, lots of snow! We stopped and the Scouts had an impromptu snow fight! Snow in late September, what luck. Back in the relative warmth of Launceston we had lunch and a walk around at the famous Cataract Gorge before making our way to the airport for our flight home. Tasmania was a real adventure. Like any good adventure, much like life, there were setbacks like flight complications and bad weather when setting up camp but there was also lots of spontaneous fun to be had, swims, bubble-fights, creative wake ups and even a snow fight! The Scouts came out of it with lessons that only a big adventure can teach - working under pressure, making the best of a situation, problem solving, leading and following; all at the same time as growing close to one another through the experience. What they get from this experience includes deeper relationships with other people they know well and can trust, as well as the skills just mentioned that will help them significantly through their life. The Scouts were a great bunch to work with over the week, and the success of the trip is a credit to them. The Patrol Leaders and Assistant Patrol Leaders are the backbone of Scouting- they led well and looked after their patrols with great commitment. A huge thank you must also go to the other Leaders Matt and Maddy, and parent helpers Kate and Ashley. PLs, APLs & Adults together we had a great leadership team, and without it there is no way this trip would have gotten off the ground and run so well. The next planned camp for those that are interested is Cohen Shield 13-15 of October (Details and sign up out this week)- We will go on this one depending on interest (minimum of 5 scouts). The next major event, way bigger then the Tasmania Trip is the Australian Jamboree in January 2019, South Australia, the pinnacle scouting event, more information about Jamboree will be out this term. |