Scouting Days

Rummaging through my photos and memorabilia I came across an account of mine of a three-day scout camp. I don't know how I made time to write it because life was so busy back then. I'm just really glad I did. I just wish I'd taken more photos. We always had so much fun. What a very boring life my sons and I would have led if not for cubbing and scouting.

My sons will just love me for putting these photos on the net!

Cubs!

Scouts!

Three-night camp – April 1994

As usual the troop was off to a late start. Kiara, (yours truly) who arrived 25 minutes late (much to her own sons’ frustration) managed to convince a few that the meeting time was 6.30pm rather than 6pm.

Our first destination was the pistol club, the president of which is Bert Johnson, one of our dads. One terrific bloke. As the troop converged on his pistol club he gathered all together and read the riot act to show his authority and establish some discipline from the outset. The scouts appeared to take no notice anyway and we soldiered on.

Tents went up quickly and efficiently as they do these days and so they should by now – they’ve had enough practice! Then to the first activity – air pistols on an indoor range. Having all signed in they listened to Bert explain very clearly the safety precautions and rules of the club. Then we chose our weapons! All of us were to wear safety glasses in that area as the pellets have been known to bounce back. Some of these glasses were of the black-rimmed type (like “Brains” from Thunderbirds used to wear) and made some of the scouts look quite studious and even, can I say it… intelligent! But something of an optical illusion I feel.

The target for these pistols was 10 metres away and was set up on a mechanised pulley system so that at a flick of a switch the shooter could bring the target whizzing to him for a closer look. This little toy seemed, at times, to be more fun to the scouts than the actual shooting. Targets were to-ing and fro-ing all over the show. Doug was seen bending down so his face was in line with the target and with the flick of the switch was promptly smacked in the face with it! He certainly got a closer look!

Later on, Bert had a surprise in store for the boys. He is the proud owner of a black powder gun and had prepared it for firing on the outside range to show the boys what the early weapons were really like. It was more of an explosion than a ‘bang’ accompanied by sparks and clouds of smoke. The boys were definitely impressed.

Perhaps it was something to do with it being school holidays but it took them ages to settle down that night. After what seemed like an eternity of giggling, laughing, screaming and arguing, they were threatened with “KP” (kitchen patrol) and eventually all went quiet. To be honest, I love hearing them having such a good time but as we explained, if they didn’t get enough sleep they would be too tired to have more fun the next day.

Next morning we were to shoot on the outside range with handguns. Tents came down, all was cleaned up and Bert explained what was coming up next. He had complete control but almost lost his voice in the process. We all had a shoot. They started with five shots in 150 seconds going down to five in ten seconds. You could see by the way they were standing that they all watch far too many movies!! We had Dirty Harry times twelve!! Bert also let them have a shot of the black powder gun which they enjoyed, needless-to-say. They love anything that seems even slightly dangerous and makes a loud noise.

After lunch we headed back to the scout hall. Much to the envy of many developers around the Busselton area, the scout hall sits on crown land right on the beachfront! How lucky are we? Leaders’ tents went up, Dingoes patrol tent went up, Kingfishers patrol tarp was pegged down on the ground. They had insisted they sleep in the open air and to hell with the tent. We said it was entirely up to them and I was thinking “what an excellent idea!”

Then they were given their challenges: Dingoes Patrol had to build a tower for a flying fox; Kingfishers Patrol had to make a raft, pitch a tent on it and sleep in it overnight. And I have to say I was nervous about that one as they were they type of boys who wouldn’t be beaten and rather drown than fail.

They were all totally positive from the outset and on my return from shopping for extra items I was astonished to see a tent… apparently floating on the water! They’d done it! And in record time! It was three canoes lashed together, boards lashed on top and a tent pitched on top of that. I grabbed my camera to get it on record. Unfortunately, I cannot find this photo.

The wind had come up by then and the sea was quite choppy and as a result the canoes eventually filled and we had a bit of a “Titanic” scene. We all agreed that if the water had remained calm they could have slept in it as planned. Hauling it in was quite a challenge in itself but we got there with much effort and laughter. I was just glad it hadn’t happened at 2am. Phew!

In helping to bring it all in I walked along the beach gathering ropes and found the one that was apparently their anchor. They had anchored their raft to the scout hall – 200metres up the beach! They could have used bricks or pegs but quite obviously the scout hall was total stability to them. Admirable!!

After months of encouragement to be adventurous with meals, Dingoes cooked themselves a spaghetti Bolognese to perfection and agreed that it was a sight better than the “snaggers in a bun” that they first suggested (and always had). Kingfishers enjoyed a “Hay Box Stew” as did the leaders which had been prepared during the morning.

After cleaning up the dinner things we all sat round and had a quiet talk and a bit of a laugh reflecting on the day and its events. I have to say that I have very fond memories of these times. Watching young people enjoying each other’s company, loving the outdoors, joking and laughing and doing all the things kids should do (even if some of them are a bit naughty!) Precious memories.

Then it was off to bed. Not surprisingly and much to leaders’ relief, sleep came quicker to all than the previous night. I must admit to being a bit concerned about Kingfishers patrol who were out in the open. Their tarp flapped all night in the wind and it even rained a little but only two of the six scouts crawled into the scout hall.

The following day we took a trip out to the bush, to a place called Barrabup Pool, the name of which none of us could remember so we kept calling it Buggerup Pool. And that was much more fun, anyway. It is a beautiful spot in the Australian bush with only dirt tracks and where there is a water hole that is like a mirror, until scouts invade! They were busting to get into the water but we suggested they got their fires going first. That doesn’t take long these days either (but then aren’t they all potential little pyromaniacs at that age?) That done, it was all strip off (well, almost) and in to the water.

There was a wooden deck built at the side of the water that was fun to jump from although a little too high for Kiara who, even after much self-confidence building, could only dive from the second step. This left Liam in a spot as he had promised to go in if she went in, thinking that she surely would not have the courage to enter such brrrrrrr cold water! He kept his word, as a good scout does. Splash!!

That evening’s meals were “stack burgers” – another scout favourite. Layers of seasoned minced beef and sliced vegetables are carefully arranged in a stack, which is then wrapped in foil. The package is then placed in the hot coals until nicely cooked. There were only a few failures but these are not classed as ‘failures’ as scouts will eat anything they’ve put effort into themselves. And, hey, slop some tomato sauce on top and what’s the difference?

Greg and Murray had an interesting little mishap with their packages apparently. Whilst trying to turn them in the coals with the shovel one got inadvertently chopped in half causing the contents to fall out. The other was sitting on the shovel when Murray stepped on the handle catapulting it out of the fire.

Leaders’ little packages were slightly overcooked due to an over-zealous fire builder, but they were edible. We even had damper to go with it all that which Moorobo had cooked in the coals also. The scouts who tried the damper said they wouldn’t have added the cheese and herbs; it made it far too healthy and also, didn’t go with the jam and syrup that they put on top (?)

But the best part of the meal was yet to come. Each of us take a banana and split it lengthways but not right through. We prise it open carefully so as not to break it and fill it with marshmallows and chocolate buttons. The banana is then placed very carefully on the hot coals and left for a few minutes until the banana has begun to soften and the marshmallow and chocolate has just started to melt. No accidents here – result is far too precious to lose! Campfires just aren’t the same without this delicious dessert.

We all wished we could have stayed there that night but we had to get back for Anzac Day and we were to march in the parade.

No-one forgot their uniform and all looked very smart. Even our dog wore a scout scarf.

It was Shay’s first march and as we followed the band, war veterans, fire brigade, St John’s Ambulance, etc he turned to me and asked, “How many laps do we have to do, Kiara?” I couldn’t reply for giggling.

The parade marches up the main street of Busselton to the war memorial for the very dignified and solemn ceremony in memory of all those who served in past wars. From there all are welcome at the Returned Servicemen’s League hall for ice-cream and soft drinks. When we realised that some of our scouts were rejoining the queue, round and round, we put a stop to it and gave them strict orders to get back to the scout hall. We had to laugh though.

Other photos: