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Adventurous Activities:
Putting the "Out" in Scouting

We feel pretty special, because there are so many things we can do.

Check out our Camp Reports and Activity Logs, with pictures and stories on this page:

Pioneering,
Canoeing,
Land Yachting,
Hiking,
Caving,
Bike Hiking,
Rockclimbing and Abseiling*, (*descending)
Camping,
Motorcycling,
Activity Logs

For regular events, like JOTA Jamboree On The Air,
see the Regular Events Page

Pioneering

Pioneering is all about using materials at hand to make or fix things.

It is the one thing Scouts do that other youth groups don’t.

Why do we mess around with poles and ropes?

It’s fun, lateral thinking, planning, teamwork, thinking about safety, constructive, creative, astounding, and good for a laugh.

Check out some amazing structures and inventions:

A giant billycart made from a trailer axle and big dollywheel. (More)

A tandem bicycle built for 6.

 

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Canoeing

It might be dry here, but we can often find a big rockhole to wet the canoes.

For twenty years, the Alice Springs Scout Group was well represented at the Katherine Canoe marathon.

A bus, a trailer with nineteen canoes, and a 900 km trip away for a long weekend.

Those were the days! (more)

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More about Canoeing Here

Land yachting

The Scouts have 7 Land yachts, they can seat 11 scouts because some are doubles.

One is called Suicide, because it’s not real stable, but very fast.

All you need is a dry clay pan or salt lake, and a bit of breeze. Luckily cow pats dry out quick in the desert sun, so if you hit one it don’t go ‘splat’ – more like ‘bonk’. (more)

More about Landyachting Here

Hiking

(see also: Bike Hiking - below)

Plenty of places to go, but make sure there is water around.

Hiking in remote places can be very dangerous, so we insist on trained leaders being there unless scouts have shown they are competent.

 

You need to know all about how to use a map and compass and learn about survival techniques to avoid a slow painful death.

Scouts learn to be self reliant (look after themselves)

 

 

More about Bushwalking Here

Bike Hiking

There is a terrific bike path to Simpsons Gap (21kms)

It is great for cubs and scouts, it winds through the hilly country, and has regular water tanks so we can refill the waterbottles.

 

Of course we expect experienced scouts to tackle something more adventurous, but it is a beautiful ride, great views..

More about Bushwalking Here

No, this is in Katherine, 900 kms away.

Caving

There are small caves to explore in the tops of ranges and even in Ayers Rock (Uluru – 450kms away), but the coolest caves are the "Bat Caves". Sink holes and passages running hundreds of metres under the desert sands under layers of rocky conglomerate.

The Arltunga mine shafts don’t go very far underground, because they were carved out of the quartz rock. All that’s left of the Arltunga goldrush town are some ruins , but there is a Visitors Centre, where Parks and Wildlife Rangers explain about the historic remote gold mining area.

More about Caving Here

YMCA rockwall

Rock-climbing and Abseiling (Descending)

We practice rock climbing at the YMCA Rock Wall, where rocks are cemented to the walls, creating climbs of various difficulty, from easy to chimneys and overhangs.

Instructors show us how the gear works, and make sure we have trained people belaying (paying out the safety rope).

The Emergency Services Rescue dudes also take scouts out sometimes, to tackle the real thing in the MacDonnell Ranges.

More about Rockclimbing and Abseiling Here

Camping

Scouts of all ages get some full-on training and seriously fun times at camps.

This is where we have the time to spend on games that use and teach skills.

Check out the photos and stories (more).

E-mail your logs and photos to the webmaster here, to become a legend in your own time in our Hall of Fame.

More Camp Reports Here

Motorcycling

We have instructors who can teach scouts to ride motorcycles safely. Of course

Activity Logs

Not all scouting activities involve camping.

Some bouts of amusement and frenzied activity are so savage, a day is all anyone can take.

Have a squiz at these reports: (pending)

E-mail your logs and photos to the webmaster here, to become a legend in your own time in our Hall of Fame.

Activity Logs Here

Alice Springs Scout Group website
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