Scouts excursions
Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden offers a range of activities for Scout Groups, mainly focused on Joeys (5 - 7 yr old) and Cubs (8 - 10 yr old).
Sessions are run by our experienced and qualified environmental education rangers. All sessions run for 1.5hrs and are designed to be delivered in the evening at a similar time to your regular Scout meeting (eg. 6.30pm - 8pm).
Our Scout programs have been designed as Special Interest Area projects (SIAs) in line with the Scouts Australia Youth Program. Each session will allow Scouts to begin an SIA project, however, they will need to spend time after the session refining their goals and completing their projects to meet the Youth Program requirements (personal goals set and time requirements).
Why Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden?
- Set across 123 hectares of pristine untouched bushland.
- Experienced and Qualified Environmental Education Rangers.
- Our expert Rangers come from a diverse range of backgrounds, including science, geography, environmental education and tour guiding.
- Explore a diverse landscape filled with wildlife.
- Access to both indoor and outdoor classrooms.
- Our own showcase of fauna, including - lizards, snakes, turtles and insects.
- Hands on learning with immersive opportunities.
- Fun activities that aim to be inclusive of all learning styles.
- All equipment provided.
Available programs
Frogs (SIA Environment or STEM and Innovation)
Scouts investigate the important role frogs play in our ecosystems and how they are vulnerable to environmental change. We will explore places where frogs live and learn how to create frog habitat in our garden. Learn ways we can be citizen scientists to record frog population in our local areas, using the FrogID app.
Activities include:
- Pond and track walk.
- Fauna encounter with our resident green tree frog.
- Building frog habitat from natural and man-made materials.
- Using the FrogID app.
Fauna Care (SIA Environment or Creating a Better World)
Scouts will explore our bushland environment, meet some of our favourite Australian animals, discuss the role that zoos play in our society and how to care for captive animals. We will also learn how to create habitat in our backyard to encourage native animals and increase urban biodiversity.
Activities include:
- Bush walk (spotlight if dark).
- Habitat building.
- Animal discovery session and care for captive animals.
Survival Skills (SIA Adventure and Sport)
Scouts are experts when it comes to survival skills but sometimes, we need to know where to begin. In this active, hands-on program we’ll learn some basic bush survival skills and practice our teamwork and leadership skills. This program includes making a bush shelter, bush first aid and fire lighting (weather permitting). Some of the skills you will learn can also apply to Level 1 and 2 Bushwalking, Bushcraft and Camping of the Outdoor Adventure Skills (OAS).
Activities include:
- Shelter building.
- Bush first aid activity.
- Flint and steel fire lighting.
Introduction to Camping and Camp Cooking (SIA Adventure and Sport or Growth and Development)
Are you preparing to go camping with your Joey or Cub Unit for the first time? This program is designed to learn some basic skills in selecting a good camp site, pitching and striking a tent as well as some simple camp cooking. We have large tents for Scouts to pitch with their Patrols or feel free to bring your own smaller tents to get used to setting it up. Some of the skills learnt can also apply to Level 1 and 2 Bushwalking, Bushcraft and Camping of the Outdoor Adventure Skills (OAS).
Activities included:
- A short bushwalk.
- Pitching and striking a tent.
- Camp cooking on BBQ or campfire (if weather permits).
The Bush at Night (SIA Environment or Growth and Development) - Winter months only
Come and discover what comes out after dark in the bush on a spotlight walk. Learn about the Australian bushland environment and the nocturnal animals that live there. Don’t wait until your next camp for a campfire, come and practice your singing skills at our campfire circle so that your Unit is ready for District Campfire! Some of the skills learnt can also apply to Level 1 and 2 Bushwalking, Bushcraft and Camping of the Outdoor Adventure Skills (OAS).
Activities included:
- Campfire and sing-along and stories with your Scout leaders; followed by
- a spotlight bushwalk.
Sustainable Living (SIA Environment or Creating a Better World)
Want to be a part of the solution? Learn some techniques to help you and your community contribute to a sustainable, green future and truly be a part of your ecosystem! Whether it’s making your first “urban living” compost, learning how to reduce, reuse, recycle or making your own badges and woggles out of sustainable materials, equip yourself with the skills to promote a better future for us and nature!
Activities include:
- Take-home compost for urban living.
- Build a solar house.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle workshop.
- Sustainable Woggle/Badge craft.
Bookings
$306 for 1.5hr session for up to 30 children. For groups of 12 - 16 children, an alternative price of $19 per child is available.
Email us to book your excursion.
Please be aware that bookings are for existing Scout Units and not for individuals. Bookings need to be made by the Scout Leader for the youth members (adults attend free of charge and a minimum 1:10 adult to child ratio must be maintained). Other programs are available at Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden for individual bookings.