General News
6 July, 2023
Local Scouts gear up for trip of a life time
Maryborough Scouts are working towards the trip of a life time, currently raising funds to get six Scouts and three leaders across the ditch for the 23rd New Zealand Jambouree. The local Scouts were selected to join hundreds of others from across...
Maryborough Scouts are working towards the trip of a life time, currently raising funds to get six Scouts and three leaders across the ditch for the 23rd New Zealand Jambouree.
The local Scouts were selected to join hundreds of others from across Australia, New Zealand and beyond from December 28 to January 7, followed by a post-tour until January 14.
1st Maryborough Scout Group Leader Ali Hinze said while a small number of Maryborough Scouts have headed overseas for Jambourees in the past, this trip will be a special one.
“This is what Scouts is all about — providing opportunities to kids, particularly those who may not normally get to do those kinds of things,” she said.
“They’ll get to experience international travel and another culture. It’ll be the first time on a plane for a lot of them.
“Scouts isn’t what it used to be, you don’t just tie knots and salute the flag, it’s really about developing kids and giving them life skills.”
At the Jambouree Scouts will camp at Mystery Creek, just over two hours from Auckland on the North Island, and experience a wide range of activities.
“The personal development is next level. They’ll come back completely different kids,” Ms Hinze said.
“There’s a lot of outdoors activities and it’s absolutely invaluable experience for the kids.”
Getting a place at the Jambouree is no small feat — Scouts have to be referred by a leader and send in applications explaining why they should be selected.
Local Scouts attended a Jambouree held in Elmore during 2021, which would have been an national event if the pandemic hadn’t clamped down and turned it state-level.
Maryborough Scout Patrol Leader Caitlin attended Elmore and now has her sights set on New Zealand
“Our last Jambouree was really fun, we did lots of different activities,” she said.
“With this one there’ll be a lot more people we don’t know, I know there’s a theme park we’re going to.
“I’m really looking forward to going overseas.”
Ms Hinze said the group is now focused on fundraising to get the Scouts to New Zealand.
“It costs around $5500 per Scout to go so we’ve been doing a huge fundraising effort including chocolates and our upcoming disco, followed by a major raffle with cars and holidays on offer,” she said.
“The disco is open to all local kids and hopefully we have a good uptake. The Scout kids are doing a lot of the work for it.
“We’ve got two sessions, one for young kids and one for older.
“It’d be really awesome if we could get some community support for this.”
The Jam 4 Jam fundraiser disco will be held at the Scout hall on the corner of Christian and Napier Street on July 21.
The event will feature DJ Vince Chaplin with snacks, drinks, glow sticks and disco merchandise available for purchase.
Entry is $5 with a disco for five to 10-year-olds running between 5 and 6.30 pm, and one for 10 to 15-year-olds from 7 to 9 pm.