LAST weekend saw the District Scout Leader for Port Stephens run another highly successful Scout Leadership Course at the 1^st Tilligerry Scout Hall.

A total of 11 young people were in attendance.

They represented various Scout Troops within the district.

The Scout Leadership Course is an Award Scheme course designed for Scouts who have completed their Pioneer Badge.

It has content suitable for 12 and 13-year-old Scouts who are keen to develop their leadership skills.

The course has a practical ‘hands-on’ approach and is organised around the Patrol System.

The weekend puts all attending youth in situations they have never had to deal with before as leaders.

They put their skills to the test, and are forced to think outside the box to be able to complete tasks, and work together as a patrol that depends on each other.

One such activity required the young people to work together as a team and put up a four person tent, whilst blindfolded.

The District Scout Leader of Port Stephens, Dennis Conroy, told News Of The Area, “We had a campfire with singing, skits and a ‘Scouts Own’ run by the youth, which is a fantastic time of reflection.”

“During the day, a challenge required  all attendees to eat an orange with a spoon, scooping it out so as not to damage the peel so we could use the orange skin to cook a chocolate cake within it on the hot fire and coals that night.”

“Nothing better than a warm chocolate and orange flavoured cake for supper,” he said.

The course follows the Scouts Australia National Award Scheme Scout Leadership Course requirements.
As such, it is the course that is recognised to gain the Scout Leadership Course badge, a requirement of the Australian Scout Medallion.

By Rachael VAUGHAN