PAKENHAM Venturers joined nearly 1200 teenagers from around Victoria and even interstate at Lardner Park, West Gippsland, for Australia’s largest Venturer Scout camp last weekend.
They took part in Anything Goes, an adventurous activity camp for Scouts and Venturers aged 14-18.
Anything Goes director Phil Britt said the camp offered a great chance for Venturers to try adventurous activities that they might normally never experience, based in a broad area across Gippsland.
“They could pick activities like white water rafting on the Thompson River, horse riding at Tonimbuk, four-wheel driving in the Bunyip State Forest, high ropes at Noojee, paintball at Cockatoo or mountain biking at Officer, to name a few,” he said.
“At Lardner Park, they were able to try anything from helicopter rides and segways to rock climbing, archery and percussion workshops.
Pakenham Venturer Leader Jackie Connelly said scouting is all about having fun, trying new things and teaching young people to use their initiative.
“Anything Goes provides a fantastic opportunity to do all of those things, as well as make new friends from all over the state and even further afield,” he said.
“We have Venturers who came this year from as far as Western Australia and Cairns.”
Anything Goes is organised by a team of leaders with support from Rover Scouts, other leaders and the local community.
About 1600 people camped on-site over the weekend.
“We also receive great support from local suppliers, the team at Lardner Park, and our activity organisers,” said Phil.
“Anything Goes contributes more than $80,000 to the local economy and it also provides a great experience that many teenagers will remember for the rest of their lives.”
