YOUNG scouts from the North West are off to the camp-of-a-lifetime, with a week of fun at the tri-ennial NSW Cuboree.
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Cub Scouts from Tamworth, Inverell and Moree bussed down to the Cataract State Park near Appin on the South Coast on Monday.
There’s no mobile phones allowed, no games, they’re totally technology free for the week they’re down there.
- Cub scouts region commissioner Chris McCurley
The camp brings together more than 2000 cubs – aged seven to 11 – from across the state.
North West Cub Scout region commissioner Chris McCurley said the five-day camp could set the youngsters up with skills for life.
The camp is all about outdoor fun and adventure, removing the kids from their technology-dominated environments.
“The best part about it is, there’s no technology,” Mrs McCurley said.
“There’s no mobile phones allowed, no games, they’re totally technology-free for the week they’re down there.”
While there are activities scheduled from early morning to evening, the Cuboree is supposed to develop a number of the kids’ skills.
“When we did our trial camp back in October we had 42mm of rain, they’re taught to cope in those sorts of rough conditions,” she said.
“It tests their personal skills and their coping mechanisms under stress and things like that.
From rock-climbing, abseiling, gold-panning and caving, there’s a whole gamut of outdoor-fun over the five-day camp, but the commissioner said it also helps the youngsters build social skills.
“Everyday we go out from our campsite and there’s is organised activities around the site,” she said.
“They have to learn to get along with kids that they’ve met only on a few occasions because we’ve got Moree kids, Inverell kids, two groups from Tamworth.”
Mrs McCurley said she’d seen the benefit of scouting firsthand as her son went through its programs.
“My son has gone right through,” she said.
“He was a very shy, quiet little boy and he’s ended up very confident. “A lot of the skills that are learnt through scouting and leadership courses looked really good on a resume for work.”