By 1st Austinmer Scouts Group Leader Stephen Turner
After starting the 1st Austinmer Joey Scout section two years ago, our group was so excited last month to present our very first Joey Scout Challenge Award to William Marshall.
The Challenge Award is the Peak Award for Joey Scouts in Australia, and represents the culmination of William’s journey as a Joey at 1st Austinmer, leading and participating in activities including bushwalking, climbing and first aid. He also completed independent projects and led the Joey section on an adventurous bike ride.
William started at Austinmer Joeys at the start of 2023. He was excited to start after hearing about all the cool activities, plus his Uncle had been an Austinmer Scout back in the 1980s.
William was almost seven years old when he started, so shortly after he began his work towards his Joey’s Peak Award. He enjoyed setting himself new challenges as part of his Special Interest Areas.
This included regular participation in our local parkrun so he could improve his PB every week, researching all things space and designing a space-inspired night for his Joey group, and spending the day at Gift of Bread, a charity that creates connection over bread.
He enjoyed learning new skills, but was most excited for his Adventurous Journey which involved a three-hour bike ride, with several parts of the track being underwater!
As the first Austinmer Joey to achieve his Peak Award badge, this has been a very special celebration. We are all so proud of his achievement.
Joey Scouts is for ages five to eight. They meet on Wednesdays, 5-6pm during school term.
Cubs abandon the hall!
Meanwhile, the 1st Austinmer Cub Group has been exploring our local environment.
“Over the last month we’ve been camping near Waterfall, searching for koalas near Heathcote, swimming in streams and finding native orchids,” said Cub Leader Scott Bradburn. “Last week the kids learnt about gem stones and each of them cracked open their own crystal geodes.
“With a large group of our 11-year-olds heading up to Scouts, we’re looking to bring in some new young members.”
Austinmer Scout Group is for ages five to 18. Try it for free until the end of the year. Call Stephen Turner on 0409 696 575.