The Cub Scouts were able to enjoy a visit to Hinze Dam this weekend as part of their Waterwise badge.
We arranged to meet up at 10am and started our tour shortly afterwards, this was an inter-pack activity and we were joined by a number of Cub Scouts from Canungra as well as Possum their group leader.
We were extra lucky to be taken on our tour by a person who has been involved with Scouting, we even got to call her by her Scout name Cicada!
As the clouds were looking ominous Cicada started the tour outside whilst it was still dry, and with high visibility vests on the Cub Scouts walked 2 by 2 out on to the dam wall.
Out on the wall everyone was explained what the Dam was built for and how it worked, we were shown the tower where they pump out the water from different depths and also how Eels were able to get in to the dam after their long swim from the ocean waters of New Caledonia!
Little did we know that the water was 60m deep, even if every one of our Cub Scouts had stood one on top of each other they would not even come close to 60m.
As the heavens opened up, and sent a little more water down to fill the dam some more, we moved inside where Cicada had a few activities ready for us.
First we had a “Dam Good Story” where the Cub Scouts got to see first hand how man can pollute the waterways with various chemicals, rubbish and personal items.
By the end the lovely clear water had been turned in to … well.. see for yourself!
Everyone agreed they didn’t want to drink this water, and the animals would not be very pleased with it either!
Next we played a game which showed how easy it is to use up water, the Cub Scouts split up in to 4 groups and half had a small spoon while the others a large spoon. They took it in turns to take out two spoons of water each and then got to see how even a small change in the amount of water used can make a dramatic difference when there are lots of people doing it.
That concluded our tour, and the Cub Scouts had lots to think about and empty stomachs to fill. So while Mrs Eagle and Possum took them on a walk down to the picnic area Eagle and Baloo went ahead to get the BBQ going.
As usual it was sausages and onions on the BBQ:
Then time for some games and free time in the park before parents arrived to collect.
Unfortunately a number of Cub Scouts were ill on the day, some bad colds and flu have been going through the area recently. However if you missed out and want to complete the badge still have a chat with a leader because like almost all the badges you can complete the work at home and bring in some photos or writing about what you did.
There is never any need for a Cub Scout to miss out just because of illness!
