The

Kama Kommunicator Newsletter of the Kama Scout Group, Macquarie ACT

Vennies’ Den

As foreshadowed in the last newsletter, over January, the Venturers and their leaders were able to convert the Cage Room into a Venturer Den. Over three very hot January days we unearthed and disposed of 6m3 of ‘stuff’ from the shipping container, shed, kitchen and the former Cage Room. The ‘Venturer Den’ or ‘Ven Den’ has extra lighting and powerpoints, has been painted, carpeted and furnished, and is now one of the best spots in our hall, in use almost every day. A large mural to cover one wall in the Den, designed by Rozzy Hall, is a work in progress. Thanks to everyone who helped.

Kestrel

Welcome to 2014 This is the first Kama Kommunicator for 2014 but it already

seems like we have packed a year’s worth of activity into 3 months! I’ve tried to highlight as many different activities as possible in the pages that follow. In the photo above, Bear is proudly displaying his Chief Commissioner’s Award, presented by ACT Chief Commissioner, Peter Harris, and Kestrel, at a special parade on 1 April. Bear was honoured for his outstanding organisation and planning of the Norway trip in 2013, and for his significant contribution to the personal growth, through scouting, of the members of the contingent. Congratulations Bear!!!!!!!! Kate Boesen, Parent Committee

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How far can a Koala swim?

This year Scout Leader Donna (Koala) is again participating in the 24 hour Mega Swim to raise money for MS research. The swim is being held on 3-4 May and you can donate here. Donna hopes to raise $500 and she already has $305.00. Help her to realise her goal.

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Cuboreeeee! Camp Cottermouth

17th-21st January 2014

Twenty-one Kama Cubs attended the triennial ACT Cuboree in January. Searing heat was a challenge for the first few days, but nothing got in the way of the fun we had.

Kama made an outstanding contribution to Cuboree. Not only did we have one of the larger contingents of Cubs from a single scout group, we had four line leaders there (Akela, Chil, Bagheera, Baloo), one guild leader (Kestrel), and three leaders in the support/organiser teams (Brolga, Rikki, Wombat). Our kitchen captain, Kristine Schilling, was amazing, and we all appreciated the plentiful, reliable and cheerful support given by all families with set-up,

kitchen roster and pack-up. Leader News

Congratulations to Ben Vagnarelli and David Burns who have both completed their basic training. They are now warranted scout leaders in the Cub Section. Congratulations to Sarah Smith who has completed her advanced training and been approved for her “Wood Beads”, a high honour in scouting. Thanks to Eccles and Hubbo for keeping their cool when the goal posts were suddenly moved just as they thought they had completed their Bushwalking Level 1 qualifications. Thank you Donna Priol for completing a one-day first aid refresher course in order to keep her CPR and Remote First Aid quals up to date. Congratulations and thanks to Ben Vagnarelli and Andrew Carstens for obtaining their Bronze Life Saving Medallions for Kama’s benefit.

Our amazing Equipment Manager,

Rob (right) and his assistant, Glenn.

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Group Camp Reflections that? I saw the daring-do of those Vennies - sliding on their wet silver tarp. Kids who struggle with the physical stuff shone in the spotlight on skit night. Big kids genuinely cared for little kids and made sure they were OK. I observed both kids and adults conquering fears of water, heights and heavy physical activity; I saw sweaty, exhausted leaders keep on going as long as they were needed and, finally, I loved the coordination achieved to drop the main tent at the end – where there was a willing minder for every pole and every rope. Well done everyone. I wish that every child had the opportunity to be part of such a caring group as this. Kate Boesen

Friends of Kama on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kamascoutgroup

Keep in touch with Kama via Facebook

The Friends of Kama Facebook page has been set up to allow current and former Kama members to keep in touch in an informal way. We will be using the site to reach out to former members when we celebrate our 40th anniversary later this year. If you know someone who would like to keep in touch, let us know or send them an invitation.

Group Camp was always going to be a success. The superb planning, the enthusiasm, the large number of participants, the location, the weather, the willing volunteers for every job – all these factors put together meant that the weekend at Lake Tabourie was another memorable Kama event. The Cubs had fun building dams, playing with the Venturers using rafts building by Scouts and going on their one-way hike. The Scouts built rafts that actually floated on the lake and hiked to Pigeonhouse Mountain. The Venturers went for a fish-n-chip lunch and swim off-site and tested their climbing skills at the Tree Adventure. We all had many laughs at the evening concert. Amongst the fabulous things I saw were – the Vennie hammocks - built using skills learnt in Norway. How many teenagers know how to do

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Notices

At Kama we use electronic banking and bookkeeping, and we collect money by two methods: direct debit and cash. Years of experience have allowed us to refine this into a quick, accurate and streamlined process. For fees and some fundraising activities we issue invoices via email and most of you have elected to pay them via direct debit.

But for Activity Fees we would prefer it if you paid in CASH!! Activity Fees are levied for camping trips etc. and are for food and other consumables, plus camping fees at the campsite. They are used for immediate expenses related to the activity. The leaders budget carefully, collect the fees from participants, and within 7 days, spend the fees at Coles, Aldi and at the gates of national parks and campgrounds. Cheques are really inconvenient for two reasons: 1) Someone has to physically take them to the bank to deposit them. I don’t work anywhere near a Westpac Bank, and I know that the Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary don’t either. 2) The leaders are left short of the money they budgeted to pay for expenses. This means they pay those expenses out of their own pocket, and have to go through a reimbursement process. This involves time and fiddling for the Leader/s, the Group Leader and two committee members. You can se why we hate cheques! Please pay Activity Fees in CASH. Thank you for understanding.

Kestrel

We hate cheques

Landscaping progress A couple of weekends ago, many keen gardeners broke out their wheelbarrows and shovels to move a HUGE pile of mulch out onto the garden area between the new wall and the road. Bill and Louise Woodruff directed the work and led the planting. Bunyip whipper-snipped or mowed every blade of grass within a mile radius. Well done everyone – the place looks fantastic. - Kate

Rozzy in a hammock, dreaming up her Skywhale design for the Ven Den wall

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Section news

On Sunday 2 March an intrepid band of Scouts set out on a leisurely 7km hike through the Molonglo Gorge Recreation Area in Kowen Forest. The weather was perfect and, although we could hear the odd revved engine from the car rally going on in the forest nearby, it was a very peaceful and enjoyable walk. A Keep Australia Beautiful work party was in the area and the enterprising leader offered us some bags to fill on the way. Scouts certainly have beady eyes and were able to collect a respectable amount of junk from the bush, leaving it looking much better as a result.

Joeys celebrate the Winter Olympics

Joey Leader Kanga (Amber) enjoying the Joey Bobsleigh

Scouts walk through Molonglo Gorge

Joeys have been having a fun term (as always!) with lots of games and construction. To celebrate the Winter Olympics we had our own interpretation of ice-hockey (hockey pucks made of ice), ice-curling (curling 'stones' of ice), and bobsleigh rides (yes - a sleigh made of ice). Even the leaders had a turn! Penguin

Above: Molonglo Gorge shots

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More Group Camp Photos

Bear and the girls’ raft

Concert night performance

Up goes the dining fly

Vennies at the Tree Adventure

Vennie camp with hammocks

We need someone with structural engineer or building skills to help us design a new roof. Ideally we want to change from a flat roof that leaks to a new pitched design that will shed the rain and be easy to keep clear of leaves from the surrounding trees.

If you can help, please contact Kestrel or Hubbo on 62552403.

Help needed

Grey Wolf Presentation On Sunday 23 March our 4 Grey Wolf recipients from 2013, together with 6 other recipients from other Groups, were awarded their final certificates and citations at a special ceremony at Branch office. Cian, Nick, Jessica and Samuel (absent) were the 232nd, 233rd, 234th and 235th ever recipients of this award in the ACT. Akela read out the citations and was very proud.

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Upcoming fundraising activities

Phone Book Deliveries Saturday 12 April

Canberra Running Festival

Scouts activity running a drinks station somewhere on the course.

Masters BBQ Saturday 14 June

Medium-sized BBQ needing about 4 volunteers per shift working in 2-hour shifts.

Ten teams of 4-5 delivering Yellow Pages to houses in Macquarie and Aranda.

Harvey Norman BBQ Bunnings BBQ Chocolates

Sunday 13 April

Sunday 31 August TBA Term 2, Week 1

Busy BBQ needing 4-5 volunteers per shift working in 2-hour shifts. Must take our own BBQs so need equipment backup.

Our biggest BBQ fundraiser of the year. Need as many people as possible for a full-on day.

Our ever popular Cadbury chocolate boxes will be given out this week and you will have all term to sell them.