By BEN CAMERON
OVER 4500 Cub Scouts, leaders and their supporters from across the country will descend on Gembrook later this month for the eighth Victorian Cuboree.
The five-day camp, which kicks off on 29 September, will include Cub Scouts from Berwick, Beaconsfield and Pakenham.
Pakenham Scout Group leader Jason Baird said the Cuboree would have a profound impact on the 40 kids aged between eight and 11 from his troop, which has combined with Narre Warren for the event.
“It’s massive,” he said. “Kids will be coming from everywhere, they’re expecting around 4600 people.”
Mr Baird said the “Be Prepared” philosophy of the Scouts was more relevant than ever in an age of social media and rapidly evolving technology.
“In today’s environment with so much technology, it takes kids away from that and outdoors, to teach them learning by doing,” he said.
“They’ll live out of a bag for five days, to be totally self-sufficient.
“It’ll teach them skills they’ll keep for a lifetime. It’s really back to basics stuff.”
Scouts Victoria Chief Commissioner Brendan Watson said Cubs would get to experience the challenges and joys of life outdoors.
They will also consume an estimated 100,000 pieces of fruit, 30,000 slices of bread and 5000 litres of milk in the process.
“They will live otudoors for five days, eat outdoors, camp overnight in tents, and enjoy action-packed days,” he said.
“Their days will be full of a wide range of activities, including an off-site excursion to mystery location.
“At night, after dinner, they will enjoy night-time entertainment at the campfire circle.”
Prospective Cub Scouts can contact Jason on gl.pakenham@vicscouts.asn.au
