From exhilarating rock climbing to engaging robotics activities, approximately 1600 Cub Scouts are gearing up for an action-packed and meaningful weekend at the highly anticipated NSW Cuboree 2023.

As the largest gathering of Cub Scouts aged 8-11 in New South Wales, this year's Cuboree holds special significance, marking its return since 2017, with the 2020 event cancelled due to devastating bushfires.

The event was held from Friday 29 September to Tuesday 3 October, at the Cataract Activity Centre in Appin, just south of Sydney. NSW Cuboree 2023 adopted the theme "Explore the World!" This theme served as the foundation for a plethora of exciting activities and adventures for participants.

Cub Scout at Cuboree NSW



The event's program was thoughtfully designed to include activities centred around ecosystems while ensuring ample opportunities for leisure and bonding with friends. Cub Scouts of all interests enjoyed an unforgettable experience.

Cuboree Chief Director, Gabie Thompson, highlighted a notable addition to this year's event—a field trip to the "Savannah" ecosystem at Symbio Wildlife Park in Helensburgh. Here, Scouts spent approximately three hours immersed in the wonders of the wildlife park, with close encounters with kangaroos and wallabies, and visited the farmland nursery.

Participants rotated through all the activities during the camp, fostering an atmosphere of challenge, adventure, inclusivity, and, most importantly, fun.

In a nod to tradition, Cub Scouts experienced a hallmark of major Scouting events—the beloved Market Day. This offered them a unique opportunity to set up stalls, trade, sell items, and forge new friendships at the outset of the event. Evening concerts, featuring the Cumberland and Hornsby Gang Shows, added an extra layer of entertainment to the festivities.

Mrs Thompson emphasises the significance of providing Cub Scouts with a taste of large-scale Scouting events, which can be markedly different from their day-to-day Scouting experiences. She says, “The Cub Scouts from this event may be the ones that go to the Australian Jamboree or a World Jamboree, and Cuboree will help make them excited for their future Scouting opportunities.”

Older Scouts and Venturer Scouts took on leadership and mentoring roles, supporting the Cub Scouts during Cuboree. Over 320 Junior Service Leaders, comprising Scouts and Venturer Scouts, provided assistance, alongside an additional 790 Leaders, Adult Helpers, Rover Scouts, and Fellowship Members on-site.

Cuboree serves as a unique platform for participants to meet and form friendships with Cub Scouts from regions far and wide, extending beyond their local communities. Cub Scout Units from distant places like Broken Hill united with fellow Cub Scouts from various regional and metropolitan centres in NSW.

A noteworthy addition to Cuboree 2023 was the introduction of an anti-bullying program, addressing a growing concern in today's society. Developed by Scouts NSW's Youth Protection Team, this program included workshops aimed at helping youth members recognise different forms of bullying (physical, verbal, relational, group and cyber) and equipping them with strategies to combat it.

Scouts NSW Executive Manager Youth Protection and Issues Management Renee Jensen says, “Our Cub Scouts attended anti-bullying workshops to raise awareness of bullying behaviours, who to go to if they are being bullied and how to support a friend who is being bullied.”

In an exciting partnership, best-selling author Susanne Gervay's books from the "I Am Jack" series, which focus on bullying issues, were distributed to Cub Scouts during the event. These books serve as valuable resources for raising awareness about bullying and empowering Scouts to support their peers.

Scouts NSW Chief Commissioner, Lloyd Nurthen, underlines the significance of the event, “Cuboree provides an opportunity for Cub Scouts and Leaders to explore new ideas, meet new people and, most of all, have fun and create memorable experiences.”

For more information about Scouts NSW visit www.scoutsnsw.com.au to become a part of the Scouting experience.