CATARACT Scout Park, two hours drive south of Sydney, was the site for a temporary canvas “city” from January 3-14.
More than 12,000 scouts, aged 12-15, descended on the park for almost two weeks of adventure activities, day trips to Sydney and basic survival.
The 19th Australian Scout Jamboree saw 20 scouts and three adult leaders from the Emmanuel Scout Group, sponsored by the Emmanuel Covenant Community in Brisbane, travel to NSW to take part.
The Emmanuel Scouts were joined by 14 country scouts from places including Mt Isa, the Glasshouse Mountains, Cloncurry and Tara.
The group of 34 scouts became known as Troop 327 and they joined other scouts from America, the South Pacific, New Zealand and Asia, including 12 scouts from East Timor.
In the mini canvas “city” were first aid stations, a fire brigade unit, food stores, a hospital, a concert arena and even banking facilities.
During the two weeks of the Jamboree, Troop 327 was encouraged to do everything together, including washing clothes, erecting tents and making a colourful banner and arched wooden entrance to their camp site.
Troop 327 also won two awards for having the cleanest camp site and cleanest tent interiors for two days out of the 12-day Jamboree. Their attitude and behaviour around the camp site was also taken into account for the award.
Only two other troops throughout the entire camp bettered this excellent effort.
The scouts were kept busy during their stay, every day either staying on-site or participating in off-site activities.
They travelled off-site for a water activities
day where the scouts sailed, canoed and participated in beach activities.
The two major day trips to Sydney were titled the “Olympic Dream” and the “City Tour”. These aptly named tours took the scouts around the various Olympic Park venues at Homebush, to see Taronga Park Zoo and Darling Harbour and enjoy a ferry ride across Sydney Harbour.
The scouts also went to Australia’s Wonderland in Sydney’s west, with its rollercoaster rides, waterslides and giant drops.
On-site activities at Cataract Park included abseiling, BMX riding, mud sliding, a low ropes course, caving and a fitness trail plus many more.
The main concert arena was home to the opening and closing ceremonies of the Jamboree, rock night, concerts, an international night, and comedy and circus nights.
The Emmanuel Scouts were commended for their hard work and excellent attitude displayed throughout the two-week Jamboree.
The 20th Jamboree will be held in Adelaide in three years’ time.
