1st Caringbah Scouts

BRAVO to the nineteen Vennies from 1st Caringbah who enjoyed days of FUN, camaraderie and competition on Dragonskin 2012. Dragon Skin is the premier event for Venturers in NSW and arguably in Australia . Over 700 Venturers, Ranger Guides (and school groups) from all over NSW and Australia participate in this long weekend competition Camp.  Teams cover over 30km over the Easter long weekend and complete up to 50 activities where they are tested on leadership, initiative, teamwork, task completions and enthusiasm.

The Queens Bees (Jess Juretic – leader, Darcie MacPherson, Vivien Nguyen and Megan Compton) made history by being the first all-female team to beat all 170 teams and win this event in the 28 years it has run GO GIRL POWER.

We are also rapt with our other teams that learned some skills and had FUN

BRAVO to all our vennies who participated and developed their experience/skills and had FUN.

Baggy.

Last weekend Venturer Scout Nathan Leivesley and Scout Jake Juretic
were awarded their Queens Scout Award and Scout Medallion (respectively). They
both received their awards from NSW Governor Marie Bashir at Government House
with other recipients from all over NSW.

They have demonstrated great tenacity, focus and high skill levels to achieve these awards.

Nathan excelled himself by leading his expedition members to safety during wild weather from Kanangra to Katoomba.  Emergency services were called out for 3 other hiking parties that weekend.  For his community service, Nathan served as a leader and mentor on multiple Anthony Robbins leadership conferences in Australia and in USA. Nathan also completed over 80 hours service with his own scout group teaching his scouts elements of the award scheme and organising activities at State Rally, Scout Hike, District and Group camps.   He attended the State Venturers environment camp in Ingleside where he conducted extensive bush regeneration and for the expression component of his award
Nathan learned and refined his photography skills posting many of his works on
his group’s web page. Nathan took up windsurfing to achieve his Queen’s Scout outdoor 2 and went on to attend the internationally recognised yachting Australia Windsurf instructor course in order to teach other scouts and venture scouts. 

Jake also excelled himself as a 13 year old, leading 4 fellow scouts on a 2 day expedition over 30 km on the Great North Walk (without any adults in attendance).  He also completed a Leadership Activity where he planned for 2 months to organise a car wash and cake stall to raise funds to assist Venturers in fundraising to attend Wild Dayz Venture in Tasmania and Venture South in New Zealand.  Thanks to Jakes leadership, co-ordination, delegation and inspiration, they collectively raised $1400.  Other highlights for Jake in earning this award include leading a team to 1^st Place in South Metropolitan Region at State Rally, winning fastest knotter at Boree in 2 years, completing his Yachting
Australia windsurf instructor course and devoting time to volunteering with
Disabled Surfers Australia, Red Cross and Landcare Australia.

BRAVO guys, it was well earned and reflects your tenacity and high skill levels.

On Saturday 31 March a group of 12 Venturers and leaders tackled Empress canyon in the Blue Mountains. It was an awesome canyoning trip with an epic 30 metre abseil down a waterfall at the end

The Vennies headed to swallow Rock to enjoy some SUP’ing and canoe/kayaking on a balmy night followed by a open fire Unit in Council to vote on the program for Term 2

1st Caringbah Venturers headed down to 7 Mile Beach in Gerroa to volunteer with Disabled Surfers Association caring for our disabled friends as they tried the exhilaration of riding on surf boards. It was an excellent day where we saw some of the biggest smiles we have seen for a while.  It was extremely satisfying helping make this a special day for some people who thoroughly enjoyed it.  Well done one and all. Bravo Jordan for organising this day.

Hey everyone – just a reminder of our Car Wash, Garage Sale and BBQ on Sunday 25th March, at our hall, 6 Castlenau Street. Bring your cars for the best wash around and pick up a few bargains whilst you wait PLUS an all day BBQ!!! Vennies, Scouts and parents dont forget to put your name on the roster – it’s going to be a GREAT day Every cent goes towards the Jamboree, NZ Venture and equipment for our group.

Some of our Vennies headed to Woronora to get their rock skills up ready for the Empress Canyon at the end of the month. After massive amounts of rain, it was a challenge to just get there!

The Vennies headed down to Yowie Bay to enjoy an evening of Dragon Boating. After some stretching, technique training and a work out, we enjoyed a race against eachother and surprisingly Chris’s boat beat Darcie’s boat. Unsurprisingly Chris’s boat scarpered back to the boat ramp before a re-match could be organised. If any water-skier lost a ski that night, Yowie Bay Dragon boaters have it! A HUGE thanks goes to Ruth Brown and Jess Taylor for organising the night plus all the members of Yowie Bay Dragon boat Club for giving their precious time to run this night. Twas good fun and a good work out.

21 Venturers and Leaders headed up the NSW Coast for a week
long Summer SURFARI and WOW was it fun.
We enjoyed 7 different beaches surfing, kite surfing, Stand Up Paddle
Boarding, windsurfing, wakeboarding, water ski-ing, freeboarding, spear
fishing, canoeing, the movies, campfires, sparkler art, glow stick art,
partying in the bus and just plain chillaxing.
Happy Days. This is the way to spend the Summer!

Dunc, Jess, Jake, Nath and Baggy headed to Tasmania to enjoy 14 days of extreme adventure and relaxing socialising with 13,000 other Venturers from Lilli Pilli, Georges River, all over Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, East Timor and UK. Happy Day