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SCOUTS AUSTRALIA
ANNUAL REPORT TO THE NATION 2016
8
A good leader makes sure everyone
is ok and doing the right thing.
You need to be friendly and make
sure everyone has a go.
Sam Mouser, Sixer, aged 9
AJ2016
Every three years, Scouts Australia holds its largest event
– the Australian Jamboree. ‘AJ2016’ this year’s jamboree,
hosted by the NSW Branch, was held at Cataract Scout
Park in NSW over 13 days in January 2016. With 11,000
participants, including 300 overseas Scouts, AJ2016 was
designed to keep Scouts engaged and challenged, whilst
having fun and enjoying their major event experience of a
lifetime. Nine key activity areas operated throughout the
event including adventurous activities, traditional Scouting
skills, circus, and endurance tasks. All youth members also
explored the city of Sydney.
The challenge of keeping all participants safe involved
work with several NSW agencies, particularly as the crowd
increased by 12,000 as Cub Scouts and families joined the
fun on SuperSaturday.
Living for two weeks under canvas so far from home is, for
many Scouts, a new experience. Preparing for the event,
which includes fundraising and learning Scouting skills
teaches them how to plan. While many Scouts immediately
think of the fun and the many friends they make at a
jamboree they may not realise the lifetime of benefits they
have gained.
theCrate
Scouts Australia conducted surveys and displays on National
issues at AJ2016 through theCrate, a reinvigorated forum for
youth members to obtain and provide feedback. As well as
displays on youth program and the NYC, theCrate screened
videos promoting good brain health and challenging
negative thoughts, also distributing beyondblue items on
youth mental health.