Canoeing

Scouts ACT has a Branch Water Activities Team (BWAC) who run sailing and canoeing activities for scouts. BWAC owns and operates canoes stored in their Grevillea Park shed, and these are available for use during Terms 1 and 4.

Scout leaders can book an evening of canoeing for scouts of any age, pending the availability of a trained canoeing guide.

Once you have booked a date, here is what you need to know:

Canoeing Fees

Cost about $5 per youth participant.  Parents, leaders and adult helpers are free.

Your Consent2Go activity consent form will have details about making your payment. The BWAC will invoice the scout group after the event for the full amount.

If you wish to toss your canoeing guide leader into the water, it costs an extra $50. (Ha ha!) If the scouts would like to toss their own leaders into the water, that’s free (and expected and indeed encouraged (especially by the soaking wet canoeing guide))!  🙂

How to get there

Here is a map showing how to get to Grevillia Park.  Once there, look for the Scouts canoe storage area.

Forms to fill in

The usual Consent2Go permission form will be sent to each family by their leader.

What to bring

  • Closed shoes that can get wet (crocs or swimming shoes work well).
  • Water bottle.
  • Towel.
  • Change of clothes.
  • Sun hats are sometimes useful on the water if the sun is still strong
  • You don’t need to wear your scout uniform or scarf unless your leader tells you otherwise – a swim suit or clothes that can get wet will be perfect.
  • (Optional) Your own Personal Floatation Device (PFD) (life jacket). These are provided by BWAC and will be fit-tested by a trained adult.

Session times

Your leader will tell you what time your session is due to start and finish.   Normally sessions run from 6 to 7:30 or 8pm, but some groups vary this.

Possible reasons for cancellation

It is advisable for leaders to have a back up plan in case of cancellation.  Leaders may wish to let the parents know how and by what time a cancellation/change of venue will be communicated to them, when they advertise their upcoming canoeing session.

Possible reasons for cancellation include:

  • rain or lightning on the night
  • sudden unavailability of your guide
  • the lake being closed due to high algae levels.  Leaders can check Lake Burley Griffin’s weekly report (issued each Thursday during the lake’s recreation season, October to April) to see if the lake is open for recreation.