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| Scouting in Australia compared to US; cub boy and girl scouts | |
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| Topic Started: Aug 17 2010, 10:36:03 AM (319 Views) | |
| Ausson | Aug 17 2010, 10:36:03 AM Post #1 |
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True Blue Mate
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I'm looking for ways to help my kids get out into the community and meet other kids. What I don't want is to commit to something I don't want to continue with, already made that mistake with the local twin club. My 9 yr old twins (boy and girl) were respectively in cub and girls scouts in Colorado and I see that in Australia the scouting movement is not gender specific (yah, bonus!). Who has children that have joined scouts? Has it been a positive experience? Is it costly? Is is similar to scouts (cub, boy and/or girl scouts) in the US? What other options are out there for kids besides scouting? Thanks for any info y'all can provide. Sonya |
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| gpierce | Aug 17 2010, 03:33:26 PM Post #2 |
True Blue Mate
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I don't know a lot about scouting in Australia, but I do know they are in fact somewhat gender specific. For the girls only there are the Girl Guides which is equavalent to Brownies/Girl Scouts in the US. http://www.girlguides.org.au/page.php?pageid=19 |
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| AmbroseChick | Aug 17 2010, 03:54:56 PM Post #3 |
True Blue Mate
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I LOVE THE SCOUTING PROGRAM IN AUSTRALIA... and yes I am excited about it  My son was in Boy Scouts in the US for 4 years and the program in Australia is head and shoulders better then the one we were in in the US. Whats better - everything - seriously. The addition of having the girls and boys together is also fantastic - I was a bit skeptical at first but omg it is so great. The parents are great, the kids are great, the leader is great and the program is outstanding. We were on the verge of giving up scouts and now I'm so happy that we didn't. Let me know if you want more specifics but its a great leadership program.
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| Check it out! Facebook page: Americans Living in Queensland | |
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| Bindie | Aug 17 2010, 07:26:57 PM Post #4 |
True Blue Mate
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They do have girl guides for JUST girls, but the "scouts" are for both sexes. My neice goes to scouts and loves it. She has the book she works through with badges to earn. Considering I was in the girl scouts ages ago, it seems a bit expensive to me in Canberra, but maybe it's just more expensive now. LOL. Sonya, looks like your kids would fit into this catagory: http://www.scouts.com.au/main.asp?iStoryID=16486392 Sports are very popular as well, if your kids are into that. Soccer, Aussie Rules Football, Rugby, hockey... all sorts of stuff. =) Edited by Bindie, Aug 17 2010, 07:27:56 PM.
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 The future is no place/to place your better days, DMB Canberra, ACT since 2004 | |
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| Ausson | Aug 17 2010, 08:10:07 PM Post #5 |
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True Blue Mate
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thanks all for the replies. i've thought of sport but here I have to say that i'm a selfish mummy and want to commit us to something that we actually have an interest in. I will probably be crucified for spouting my opinion but trudging to the sports fields every Saturday to sit and watch sports is really like watching paint dry for me. And if i'm going to have to support whatever I encourage the kids to do it needs to be something I am interested in as well. We are actually a family that camps, so scouting fits right in. I'll contemplate a sport if its my last resort. In the states I was thinking of inline hockey for the kids as to ensure my comfort level during freezing winter and scorching summer. my hat is off to all parents who support their kid's sporting habits, you are far better and more self sacrificing than I. Bindie, so far I've found just about everything is more expensive in Canberra, but I guess that is the price we pay to live here. |
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| AmbroseChick | Aug 17 2010, 08:51:58 PM Post #6 |
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True Blue Mate
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As everything in Australia, Scouts is more expensive but I consider the program to be so valuable that its worth every cent. Since my son joined Scouts in Australia in January, they have had a weekend camp about every 6 weeks. They are also going to do something with airplanes and sailing before the year is over. The program is a lot more structured then in the US and seems to emphasize more outdoor skills then American scouts. There is also a lot less emphasis on badge work and more on leadership skills, outdoor survival skills, independence yet team work, etc. There are some activities that we have to forgo due to budget (ie the big Cubaree camp in Sept that cost $350) but the weekend camps are very affordable. We also do sports with our kids - our youngest is in Little League. My older used to do sports but now focuses on music which is also very expensive here in Australia as the schools require the students to take private lessons. I have kids in my church youth group who are so overbooked and overscheduled - its sad. They do sports, music, dance, etc etc... its never ending. The kids talk longingly of staying home and not doing anything as as if its a treat. |
| Check it out! Facebook page: Americans Living in Queensland | |
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| Bindie | Aug 17 2010, 09:16:56 PM Post #7 |
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True Blue Mate
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Crucified? HARDLY. I hate sports and was only throwing it out there. LOL. I don't think the expense is Canberra persae, more Australia in general. LOL I didn't know you lived in Canberra... where abouts? PM me if ya like. =) |
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The future is no place/to place your better days, DMB Canberra, ACT since 2004 | |
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| gpierce | Aug 17 2010, 10:29:33 PM Post #8 |
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True Blue Mate
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Yes, I know that. This is why I wrote "somewhat". |
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| jennszoo | Aug 20 2010, 07:31:38 AM Post #9 |
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Anklebiter
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Thanks for the info. My kids are in a coed scout group here (Spiral Scouts, a more pagan alternative to the BS/GS) and they love it. But the Aussie scouts sound so much mroe active and fun! Too bad my (soon to be 5 yr old) daughter wont be able to participate right away. AmbroseChick, do you have any experience with special needs children in your scout group? |
| Jenn, mom to 3, one with special needs, hoping for good luck with 457 Visa application! | |
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| Ausson | Aug 20 2010, 10:03:08 AM Post #10 |
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True Blue Mate
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I thought I should post this for those who aren't here yet and are interested. I signed my kids up for swim lessons last night. I have three kids and with 17 weeks remaining in the session the cost is roughly $700 for the session. That cost includes a 30 minute lesson once a week and they each get 10 free entries to the pool to use on top of the entry for the lesson. Just to get into the pool is $4 per kid and $6 per adult (but no charge for the adult when accompanying for lessons). Luckily they had an option to sign up for a weekly debit from my savings account (which cost me another $20 for the privilege of using). At least now I know when the school swim carnival happens early next year my big kids will at least be able to compete and do the strokes. Now I'm investigating the local basketball and little athletics leagues to see cost and commitment requirements. Will also attend the scouts meeting to check it out too. |
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| TerritorianTori | Aug 20 2010, 10:57:12 AM Post #11 |
Dance to disco
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I'm not AmbroseChick... but, one of my online contacts is heavily involved with Scouts down in Sydney, and at least one of his kiddos is autistic. Here's his website: http://1stbalcombeheightscubs.blogspot.com/ |
 South Texas to the Northern Territory - since 2004 I'm a huge fan of... Angry Video Game Nerd | The Big Bang Theory | Doctor Who | Pet Shop Boys | Yanks Down Under ~ Americans living in Australia Avatar by Sketch Shop Boys | |
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