Welcome to the Epping Scout Group website. Our section leaders are preparing the programs for Term 1, 2019 and these will be available by clicking on the "Sections" page and then selecting the relevant section (Joeys, Cubs, Scouts or Venturers). The starting dates for Term 1 2019 are: Joeys - Monday 4th February at 130 Boundary St, Nth Epping Cubs - Monday 4th February at 130 Boundary St, Nth Epping Scouts - Wednesday 6th February at 6 Essex St, Epping Venturers - Thursday 7th February at 6 Essex St, Epping Rovers meet on Tuesday evenings all year round. If you have a question about the program activities, please use the Leaders page and contact the leader for the relevant section or Peter Buckley, the Group Leader, at group@eppingscouts.com.au or on 0404 136 350. |
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Try Sailing - 31st March 2019
TRY SAILING The Epping Scout Group has been running sailing activities from Meadowbank continuously since 1939. We currently have eight 5m sailing boats ranging from the larger training boats to the lighter and much faster Tasar and Leader dinghies. We also have a selection of canoes and kayaks. The Group is running a "Try Sailing" day to introduce Scouts to the fun and enjoyment of sailing. Come along and enjoy an afternoon on the Parramatta River.    This event is open to current registered members of the Scout Association. WHAT TO WEAR: · Water shoes - preferably closed in for added protection. Crocks or thongs are not acceptable. · Wide brimmed hat with chin strap. Baseball caps do not offer sufficient sun protection and are not acceptable. · Rashi shirt and board shorts. Long sleeves and long trousers are OK if you require extra protection from the sun. · Scout uniform is not required. WHAT TO BRING: Spray jacket, water bottle (full) and sunscreen. Please put your name on anything that you bring. It is a safety requirement for everyone involved in the water activities to wear a life jacket (PFD). We have a range of sizes to suit everyone. Please let one of the leaders know if you are not confident in or on the water. Scouts should be able to swim 50m to participate in the sailing activity but let us know beforehand if you are not able to. The activity will be under the supervision of Scout accredited instructors and leaders. We hope that you have an enjoyable experience sailing with Epping Scouts and look forward to seeing you back again soon. There will be a special event with refreshments starting around 4pm. All of the boats should be back by then. |
| Attachments:
E1 Sailing - 2019-03-31.pdf
Clean Up Australia - Sunday 3rd March 2019
Clean Up Australia Clean Up Australia has been running since 1990. This is our opportunity to get out there and do our bit. Each year the banks of the Parramatta River adjacent to the Epping Scouts Boat Shed and the Meadowbank Ferry Wharf are becoming cleaner with less rubbish being discarded in the area. However, until we can get the message across to everyone, there will be enough new rubbish that has accumulated since the last clean up. The more people that come along to assist in the clean up, the larger area of bank can be scoured. Mostly it is plastic bags, drink cans and bottles, shoes and occasionally car parts are also found and retrieved. Recently we have been taking the canoes out to enable us to gain access to the mangroves without causing environmental damage. We ask that the Joeys and Cubs bring a parent but all parents are welcome to assist. Youth members will go around in groups supervised by a leader or parent. The more leaders and parents that come along, the more groups we can form and therefore the more rubbish we can collect in the shortest amount of time. Please accept the CareMonkey invitation or, for those not yet on CareMonkey, complete an E1 for those participating. Meet up around 8:45am and register at 1st Meadowbank's BBQ which will be located in the car park between the Ferry Wharf and the rail bridge. Spend an hour or two helping to clean up the shores of the Parramatta River. Wear safe, sun-smart clothes including a brimmed hat, collared shirt and sturdy shoes. Gardening gloves make the task much safer. If it is a warm day then a water bottle (with your name on it) is essential. If it likely to rain, please bring a raincoat as the event will not be rescheduled. 1st Meadowbank Scout Group runs a Sausage Sizzle for those who participate. A gold coin donation is appreciated - so they can afford to do it again next year. Any surplus will be donated to the Clean Up Australia fund. |
| Attachments:
E1 Cleanup Australia - 2019.pdf
New Program Badges and Placement
The New Program is being used across all sections. The process for converting over from the old to the new system is now mostly completed and the new badges are ready to be distributed. The Cubs and Scouts will be receiving their badges first and the Joeys and Venturers will follow soon after. The Patrol Leaders and Leaders will have discussed with each member as to what level everyone is at in each of the Outdoor Adventure Skills (OAS). For some this may have taken place quite a while ago. There is also a conversion from the Joey's Participation badges, the green or red Proficiency badges for the Cubs, the yellow Achievement badges for the Scouts and the Venturer's Tapes. These will be replaced by the 6 Special Interest Area badges. The Cub's Boomerangs, the Scout Pioneer, Explorer and Adventurer badges have been replaced by 3 Milestone badges. On pages 10 & 11 in the new badge record book, or check out the files below, you will find the placement for all of the new badges. You will need to remove all of the badges on your sleeves EXCEPT:
When you receive your badges, please arrange for them to be sewn on promptly. If you lose any of them once they have been issued, you will need to purchase replacement badges from your section leaders. |
| Attachments:
Badge Placements.pdf
Milestone Badges.pdf
OAS Badges.pdf
Family Camp - 8 to 10 February, 2019
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| Attachments:
E1 Family Camp 2019.pdf
Cockatoo Island - 1st and 2nd December 2018
Our biennial (every 2 years) outing to Cockatoo Island is on again. This is a Group event with the Scouts and Venturers journeying either by sailing, canoeing or taking the scenic route on the ferry. The Joeys and Cubs are invited to join in on the Sunday. Saturday departure for Scouts and Venturers. Sailing: Leave Meadowbank around 9:00 Saturday morning and sail to Cockatoo Island. The power boat will accompany the boats. Canoeing: Leave Burns Bay Reserve around 9:00 and paddle to cockatoo Island. Ferry: Catch a ferry from Meadowbank to Cockatoo Island. Return Journey. Canoes and boats to leave Cockatoo Island to be back at Meadowbank and Burns Bay Reserve by 4:30 pm. Canoes then to be returned to Meadowbank to be washed and put away. Pick up by parents at Meadowbank Boatshed around 5:30 pm. Sunday departure for Cubs and Joeys.
Return journey: Depart Cockatoo Island at 2:58 pm to arrive at Epping Station at 3:53 pm. Please refer to the additional information contained in the CareMonkey eForm of the attached E1 Activity Notification forms. |
Armistice Day - Sunday 11th November 2018
The Epping RSL will be commemorating the Centenary of Armistice Day on Sunday 11th November, 2018. Current members are invited to meet at the rear of the Coles car park at 10:15 am for a 10:30 start. There will be a service at the Cenotaph followed by a wreath laying ceremony. Parents are welcome to participate in the event or pick up their children from the Cenotaph from around 11:15 onward. UNIFORM As we are on show to the public and representing the Scout Movement, particular attention must be placed on appearance. You are expected to wear FULL uniform. this includes your section shirt, scarf and woggle. For Joeys, wear stone coloured or grey school trousers or similar. For Cubs and older, the current style is the Snowgum zip-off pants in stone colour or similar or school trousers. Shoes should be black or brown (no runners please). Jeans are not considered as part of the uniform and should not be worn. ACTIVITY NOTIFICATION Page 1 of this E1 Activity Notification Form is to be completed for each non-member who is attending this activity. Please bring page 1 with you on the day and give it to one of the Epping Leaders. Current members are to use the CareMonkey invitation and NOT this form. THEIR SERVICE OUR HERITAGE Badge Participation in this event will go towards achieving this annual badge. It is awarded to Joeys for attending 1 of these events, to Cubs for attending 2 of these events and Scouts, Venturers and Rovers for attending 3 events within each calendar year. Participation in other military activities/events will also go toward being awarded this badge. Please notify your Section Leader (by email) if you have participated in other relevant activities, eg participation at school or other events. |
| Attachments:
Armistice Day 2018 E1.pdf
Granny Smith Parade - Saturday 20th October 2018
The local Scouts and Guides will be participating in the Granny Smith Parade through the streets of Eastwood. Join the usual 100 + Scouts and Guides from Groups in our local district to show that the Scouting movement is alive and flourishing. Let us make it the largest group in the parade. The parade usually commences around 9:30 from the mustering location adjacent to Eastwood Oval. This year, our float number is 7. Epping's boat will be there to help promote the Scouting movement. At the end of the parade, meet up with your parents at the initial meeting point, spend some time at the stalls and amusements while taking in the festive atmosphere. WHERE TO MEET: Meet at Float 12 in Lakeside Rd, Eastwood from about 9:00. The parade usually finishes around 11:00. Meet up with your parents who should be waiting for us to return to our start point. WHAT TO WEAR: You will need to wear your Scout uniform (shirt, well folded scarf) and comfortable shoes for walking. Do not forget to bring a hat and water bottle. This is essential if it is going to be hot or sunny. WHAT TO BRING: Bring a water bottle. If you have not received an invitation through CareMonkey, please print off the attached Activity Notification form and pass the completed form to one of the Epping Group Leaders at the parade. |
| Attachments:
E1 Granny Smith Parade.pdf
Group Camp - 14-16 September, 2018
GROUP CAMP: Group Camp for 2018 will be held at Wombeyan Caves, about 80kms north of Goulburn. Group Camp is where all sections of the Epping Group, including 1st Epping Rovers, are invited to a weekend camp together. There will be sectional activities and also some group activities. I am hoping that the Rovers will be cooking something special for Dinner on Saturday. Because of the longer than normal travel time (3 hours), I am inviting the parents and other family members to come along and stay for the weekend. I have organised for our Group to be taken on our own Guided Tour of the caves. There will be activities within each section and also with other sections. Joeys must have a parent at the camp all times. ARRIVAL: For those arriving on Friday check in anytime after 2pm. For those arriving on Saturday morning, the Opening Parade will be at 11:30. Please try to be there in time for this. TRAVEL: There are 2 ways to get there. Both routes took me about 3 hours in daylight, via Goulburn 290 km, via Mittagong 190 km. Both are suitable for 2-wheel drive vehicles but the Mittagong route is a lot of dirt road which slows the speed down considerably. Via Goulburn. Take the 1st Goulburn turnoff onto the Old Hume Hwy. After 4.5 km turn right at the Mobil into Union St and head toward Taralga. After 52 km (about 10 km after Taralga) turn right onto Wombeyan Caves Rd. There is 15km of dirt road but it is a good surface and not very windy. The bitumen returns about 5km before the campsite. Probably better for night time travel and a definite for people towing caravans.. Via Mittagong. Take the Mittagong (Route 89) turn off and proceed through Mittagong. Follow the Old Hume Hwy and turn right onto Wombeyan Caves Rd. After about 25 km there is around 40km of narrow, winding dirt road with pot holes, corrugations, fallen rocks and fantastic views (during daylight). ACCOMMODATION: I would expect that most of us will be sleeping in tents. The Cubs and Scouts will be in the new Bell tents, Venturers and Rovers will be in their own tents, Joeys will be with their parent/s or can opt for the dormitory. Parents are welcome to borrow one of the Group's tents, bring their own tent (like at Family Camp), camper-trailers, caravans or you can splurge on a self contained cabin. COST: $65 per person if arriving on Friday night or $50 if arriving on the Saturday. Included in the cost is camping costs, food, and a guided cave tour. Additional costs will be:
FOOD: Cooking rosters will be drawn up by each of the section leaders so that members from each section will be assisting with the preparation, setting up, serving and cleaning up of a meal. I hope that the Rovers are planning the Saturday dinner but will still need assistance. In the past, they have presented the group with a delicious spit roast but they might surprise us this year. Please contact Rama (0404 136 350 / 9876 4383) if you have any specific dietary requirements. WHAT TO BRING: Everyone will need to bring their own mess kits (plate, bowl cup and cutlery), warm clothes and wet weather gear. Sleeping bag, sleeping mat etc. For the 1 or 2 nights you won't need a stretcher. Closed in shoes suitable for damp ground of the cave tour and for the walks and generally getting around. Thongs are not to be worn except for in the amenities block. There are showers and toilet blocks. in the campground. For those staying in the dormitories, they come with a mattress only. You will need to bring a sleeping bag or sheets and blankets, and a pillow. Some extra blankets are available but I would not rely on an adequate supply. REGULATIONS: For the Joeys, the Scout Association require a parent to be in attendance for the duration of the activity. Members can complete their CareMonkey eForm. A separate E1 form will need to be submitted for each non-member attending the activity. As this is a National Park, domestic pets are not allowed. Firewood for a campfire will need to be brought in. |
| Attachments:
E1 Wombeyan Caves.pdf
Epping RSL VP Day March - Sunday 12th August, 2018
The Epping RSL will be commemorating VP Day with a march on Sunday 12th August 2018. Current members are invited to meet in Rawson St, outside the Epping RSL at 1:45 pm for a 2:00 start. Participants will go upstairs to the Grand Ballroom for a 45 minute service. After this, everyone forms up outside to march up Rawson Street, turn right at the roundabout into Bridge Street then right again into Victoria Street. The march is led by the Golden Kangaroos Marching Band. There will be a wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph where participants may also lay the poppies given to them earlier at the service. Everyone will then march back to the RSL where they will provided with afternoon tea. Parents are to pick up their children from the Ballroom from around 3:30 onward. Traffic in the streets is normally stopped by the police to ensure the safety of those marching. Parents are welcome to attend the service and the wreath laying ceremony and also follow alongside the march. They can also join in with the afternoon tea. Due to the age (both young and quite old) of some of those marching, consideration is always given to the weather. If rain is imminent, the outdoor component of the activity might be held indoors instead. UNIFORM As we are on show to the public and representing the Scout Movement, particular attention must be placed on appearance. You are expected to wear FULL uniform. This includes your section shirt, scarf and woggle. For Joeys, wear grey school trousers or similar. For Cubs and older, the current style is the Snowgum zip-off pants in stone colour or similar or school trousers. Shoes should be black or brown (no runners please). Jeans are not considered as part of the uniform and should not be worn. ACTIVITY NOTIFICATION An E1 Activity Notification Form is attached, however, all current members will receive an invitation via CareMonkey. Please click on the "Respond Now" button and acknowledge by either accepting or declining. For new members, please complete page 1 of the E1 and bring this with you on the day and give it to one of the Epping Leaders. Parents are to pick up their children upstairs in the Ballroom. Current members should not complete an E1 form. THEIR SERVICE OUR HERITAGE Badge Participation in this event will go towards achieving this annual badge. It is awarded to Joeys for attending 1 of these events, to Cubs for attending 2 of these events and Scouts, Venturers and Rovers for attending 3 events within each calendar year. Participation in other Military activities/events will also go toward being awarded this badge. Please notify your Section Leader (by email) if you have participated in other relevant activities, eg participation at school or other events. |
| Attachments:
VP Day March 2018 E1.pdf
Mother's Day Flower Sales - 2018
On Sunday 13th May we will be selling flowers for Mother's Day. We will be setting up at the North Epping shops on the corner of Malton Road and Roma St, Epping Oval on Norfolk Rd and Epping Railway Station opposite the Bendigo Bank. We are seeking volunteers to man the 3 stalls from about 7am until 11am or until the flowers run out. We need a few parents on each shift and also quite a few kids to help with selling. Joeys are especially welcome as they have the perfect sales technique. Any flowers that are left over at the end of the morning are taken to Ryde Hospital where the youth members present them to the mums. Please consider donating some time on Sunday morning, an hour or 2 would be great and the children really love being little merchants. Uniform is required for invested members. New members who have not yet been invested are also welcome to participate. This is one of the Group's biggest fundraisers of the year and the money we raise goes towards purchasing the equipment necessary to conduct the exciting activities such as canoeing, hiking, camping, boating etc, etc. Current members will recieve an email containing a link to the roster which will show the available time slots for each of the three selling venues. Please indicate your preferred site and time slots and include the names of who will be attending. It might be necessary to move people around on the day based on how busy each site is. ACTIVITY NOTIFICATION An E1 Activity Notification Form is attached, however, all current members will receive an invitation via CareMonkey. Please click on the "Respond Now" button and acknowledge by either accepting or declining. For all others attending, please complete page 1 of the E1, for each person, and bring this with you on the day and give it to the coordinator at your site. Current members should not use this form. Your help is essential. Please reply as soon as possible as some of the time slots fill up very quickly. |
| Attachments:
Mothers Day Flowers E1 2018.pdf
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