Saturday August 17th was our Back to Basic day up at the Canungra Scout Den, a 1 day outdoors event where we could complete a lot of the tasks we can’t run back at our own Scout hall. A number of Scouts and Cub Scouts also took the opportunity to camp out over the weekend with their parents and as ever we are thankful to the parents that were able to help out during the day with both the program and the behind the scenes requirements.
After parade the first task was to get everyone warmed up, so a quick run around the trees and back was in order:
We then had a demonstration by the Scouts for the Cub Scouts of how to build a fire, we talked about different methods of fire building, local fire rules, fire safety and how to use a match. All of the Cub Scouts had a go at lighting a match safely, a first for several of them.
Everyone then split up in to 3 groups to make a Billy can:
This was followed with a discussion on hygiene and safety rules in the kitchen before everyone prepared lemonade scones and a Billy can was placed on the fire to make tea. Some of the scones were also cooked using a campfire oven.
The Scouts then separated off and had further in-depth talk on putting out fires and then went to create camp gadgets and a shelter using the knots they have been practising over the last few weeks.
During this time the Cub Scouts made some rocky road.
By now the tea and scones was ready so everyone washed their hands and sat for morning tea.
Following on from the short break everyone started work on making hamburger patties for lunch:
These were then cooked over the fire, while some onions which had also been chopped, were cooked on the BBQ:
Everyone enjoyed their lunch, along with s’more cones that had also been made earlier and cooked on the fire and bbq:
The Scouts were also able to have some supervised time splitting wood:
After lunch everyone helped to clean up and then whilst the Scouts completed their earlier camp gadget and shelter the Cub Scouts were asked to have a go at putting together shelters from what they could find laying about in the field:
Back together as a group we went over how to extinguish fires with the Cub Scouts and everyone had a go using some fire extinguishers which had been donated to the group. We also had a look at how to start fires without matches using a battery and steel wool, magnifying glass and a flint and steel.
There was then just enough time left for the Scouts to take down their gadgets before final parade and the arrival of parents to take those that were not camping out back home. For those that were staying it was time to relax, play a few games and then sit around the fire and chat away in to the night.
