Dick & Pip Smith Leadership Through Adventure Fund

Recently the Dick & Pip Smith Leadership Through Adventure Fund (LTAF) financially supported brothers Mitchell and Samual travelled from Riverton to ACT to participate in the Summer Alpine Camp run by Scouts NSW.

Once arrived, the Mithchell and Samuel jumped straight into training and learning new skills and meeting new people. One of the first challenge for the brothers are to study for an amateur radio licence for Samuel and try out some horseback archery for Mitchell. Both of these activities were huge highlights for the brothers and something they wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to do so.

Although there were different challenges the brothers had to face, they were warmly welcomed and felt supported through the entire camp.

The journey continued with Mitchell chosen white water rafting, while Samuel chose a 3 days hike in challenging terrain. The brothers both challenged out of their comfort zone and pushed their skill set beyond what they had done before.

During the camp, the groups were challenged by changing weather conditions, from high heat to flooding rain and rising water levels. Adding on top of all the challenges, the camp was up early at 6am each morning, often working late into the evening to complete paperwork, learning and packing for the following day.

“We learnt that we are more resilient than we knew, and that hard work pays off. We added rock climbing, absailing and river crossing training into our skills and met alot of new friends during these activities” shared Samuel.

“On top of this, we progress our OAS (Outdoor Activity Skills) in camping, bushcraft, paddling, bushwalking and stage 7 and 8 in white water rafting” said Mitchell.

The brothers also shared they learnt that they are more resilient than they knew and that hard work pays off. Each day they achieved their goals by completing the challenges and earning the Certificate II in outdoor recreation certificate at the end of the week.

“We would highly recommend this camp to all youth and leaders wanting to build their outdoor skills in a positive, supportive and fun environment. It is something we would not have been able to do without the support of the Dick & Pip Smith Leadership Through Adventure Fund (LTAF).

Dick & Pip Smith Leadership Through Adventure Fund (LTAF) was launched in July 2022 by Dick Smith to provide grants to youth members or project patrols to undertake activity skills and leadership training, adventurous journeys and expeditions.

If you are planning your adventure for 2024, find out more about LTAF  application process and download the supporting information.