Leadership Through Adventure Fund 

In February 2024, sixteen Queensland Venturer Scouts set out on an unforgettable adventure to Stradbroke Island, immersing themselves in a range of activities that developed their Outdoor Adventure Skills (OAS). From surfing and sea kayaking to snorkeling and sand tobogganing, the camp offered the perfect mix of fun, challenge, and skill-building.

Led by Patrol Leader Jason, a Venturer Scout from the Burpengary Scout Group, the unit made the most of every opportunity the island had to offer – even when the weather wasn’t on their side.

“The Burpengary Stradbroke Island trip was an awesome experience,” Jason shared. “We all had an amazing time surfing, kayaking, sand tobogganing, and just enjoying ourselves. Even though the weather wanted to dampen our spirits, we soldiered through and enjoyed every activity we had planned.”

Surfing was a highlight of the camp, especially for those trying it for the first time. While initial nerves were high, enthusiasm quickly took over. Within an hour, most of the Venturers were confidently standing up on their boards –  despite facing a challenging swell that made the learning curve steeper.

After drying off from the waves, the Patrol grabbed their sand toboggans and hiked out in search of the island’s famous dunes. Though there wasn’t much formal tobogganing, they found creative ways to entertain themselves, including hill-running competitions to see who could stay on their feet the longest.

The following day brought a sea kayaking tour, which included sightings of turtles, rays, and a shipwreck, giving Scouts a memorable view of the island’s rich marine life. The unit also tackled a technical paddle through a mangrove channel – a true test of their navigation and paddling skills.

Beyond the core activities, the Venturers enjoyed plenty of downtime to explore the island, hike through its scenic landscapes, swim, and share what they fondly called “fat chats” – the kind of deep, easy conversations that only happen on great camps.

By the end of the trip, the Patrol had not only strengthened their Outdoor Adventure Skills across multiple disciplines – including alpine (via sandboarding) and aquatic activities – but had also formed stronger bonds with one another through shared experience, challenge, and plenty of laughs.