By Kyra Gillespie
More than 3600 Cub Scouts and 1660 leaders and helpers descended upon Gembrook for the 9th Victorian Cuboree 2017.
This year, the Cuboree was the biggest it’s ever been, making it one of the biggest Cub Scout events in the world.
A Cuboree is a massive camp, more than 100 times bigger than a typical school camp, which is held every three years for Cub Scouts aged eight to 10.
The event is like a jamboree for Scouts but while jamborees are national or international events Cuborees are state-based.
The five-day, four-night camp was held at Gilwell Park, a 100-hectare campsite and activity centre located on both sides of the Gembrook-Launching Place road over the weekend.
The Pakenham Cub Scouts were among the crowds at the event.
“We have three different packs, with 38 cubs in total made up of the Pakenham, Lakeside and Dingley groups,” Pakenham Cub Scout leader Trent Wursthorn said.
“Altogether we had 38 cubs and 11 leaders attend the Cuboree this year.”
This year marks Trent’s fifth year attending the Cuboree as a Cub Scout Leader.
“It’s a really great event, I always look forward to it.
“Seeing how happy the kids are and how much they are enjoying themselves makes me want to come back again each year and do it all again.
“Kids come from all around Victoria to take part, so we’re very lucky to be so close.
“For us it’s just up the hill, but there are groups that travel all the way from Tasmania and regional Victoria.”
Ten-year-old Pakenham Cub Amy had a blast at the activity-packed camp.
“I’ve had so much fun, I don’t want it to end,” Amy said.
“My favourite activity was the messy activity in the mud because of the slide.
“I said to myself that if a leader did it I was going to do it. So when I saw that they were brave enough to do it I just went for it!
“I also loved the colour run because we got coloured powder all over our clothes and in our hair.”
Amy joined as a Joey and has moved up the ranks to become a Cub.
“I joined because I wanted to have fun and I heard that’s what Cubs is all about.
“I’ll be moving up to Scouts next and that’s supposed to be the best one!”
Pakenham Cub Scout leader Trent believes that the Scouts are truly worth trying.
“I did Cubs when I was younger and then went on to be a Scout Leader and eventually a Cub Scout Leader in 2003,” Trent said.
“It’s something different, especially for kids who are not particularly into sport.
“It gets them into the outdoors. They learn a range of different things like life skills, first aid, construction, safety and self-expression – stuff they don’t teach in school.
“I’ve made lifelong friends through the Scouts,” he said.
