LBPS Funding Scouting Trips
More Scouts Share Their Experience Thanks to the Lord Baden-Powell Society
Daniel, NSW
AV2018 was an event that I had been looking forward to all the way back in 2016 when a promotional video was shown at the 2016 Australian Jamboree. The activities and experiences that I could take part in is what had gravitated me towards it, and it delivered in all aspects.
On the 1st of January, I boarded a plane at Sydney Airport on a flight to Brisbane to begin my Venture experience. All the NSW contingent met up at the airport and we travelled together as a group to Queensland. When we touched down at Brisbane Airport, we rode a bus to the first campsite of the trip. The Contingent stayed in a hall at a Scout Camp, and it was here that we met some of the people doing the same expedition as us, and gave the opportunity for friendships to be formed.
The next day we caught a bus to Old Petrie Town where the opening ceremony was held. It was here that we were officially welcomed to the Venture, and at the end of the day we broke up into Expeditions to travel to the locations we would be spending the next 5 days. My expedition was called Get Adrenaline in which I took part in activities that got the heart racing.
Over the 5 days we got to participate in V8 buggy hot laps, snorkelling in Sea World, Zip-lining, high ropes course, climbing the Story Bridge, Indoor skydiving and a trip to Wet n’ Wild. All of the activities were fun, but my favourite was the trip to Wet n’ Wild because it was a day that we were given freedom and could just have a fun time with our friends. Not to mention the heart racing rides.
When the last day finally came it was full of tears and goodbye’s up until everyone boarded their flights home. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that it ended too soon, but I came home with more experiences, more friends and a whole lot more tanned. Australian Venture is a once in a lifetime experience, and I would recommend it to anyone who can do it because everything I did and the people I met will stay in my memories forever.
Allison, Victoria
Thanks to the very generous Lord Baden-Powell Society, I was able to attend the Australian Venture 2018 and have the best 17 days imaginable.
My amazing trip began very early on the 26th of December as I met my travel group at the airport to head off on Victorian Pre-tour. We arrived in Brisbane in the morning, greeted by sunshine and a balmy 32°C all buzzing with excitement. After a nice long bus ride, we arrived at Coolum Beach where we would be staying for the next 3 days at Luther Heights Youth Camp. Not long after we had all dropped our bags off in our room and headed down to the beach for lunch and got some free time for a swim while the Venturers on later flights arrived. The rest of the day was spent getting settled in, meeting the contingent team and all the amazing leaders there to make pre-tour the best it could be.
After an exhausting but amazing 5 days of expedition, we headed to Camp Warrawee in Brisbane for Phase 2. It was great to be reunited with all my pre-tour friends, as well as spend more relaxed time with my new expedition friends. The next 3 days were spent in the pool or in the lake – anything to escape that humid Queensland heat. I spent my last 2 days of Venture giving surfing a go, as well as testing my bravery at Dreamworld. The very last day was spent packing up, visiting Old Petrie Town again and having closing ceremony. As exhausted as I was after 17 days of full on activities, leaving Venture was quite emotional. It was hard saying goodbye to Queensland and my new friends from all around Australia.
Looking back now, it’s safe to say I met some of my most amazing friends and made the best memories at Venture. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have had these experiences and cannot thank the Lord Baden-Powell Society and all their generous supporters for providing me with the money I needed to have this life changing experience. I would also like to thank the AV2018 organising committee, Victorian contingent team and every single leader, volunteer and parent who worked tirelessly to make this event a success. I would definitely encourage every current and future Venturer Scout to attend a Venture if given the opportunity.
