What a weekend! Given threatening conditions in the days prior this weekend's District Camp was held under absolutely superb weather conditions in a sublime setting. The early morning mist and beautiful bell and whip birds added to the magic of this incredible site. Oh, and it was Julian's 12th birthday on Saturday so the chocolate cake was a bonus!

1st Balmoral Sea Scout's two Patrols  - Balmoral Kitchen Rules and The Dream Team - have done themselves, and the Group, proud with stand-out performance against Patrols from the Lower North Shore and Turrumburra Districts. 1st Balmoral achieved FIRST in the Camping section, FIRST and THIRD in Campcraft, Safety & Hygiene, SECOND in Activities and SECOND and Meals & Menus.

Overall District Camp THIRD place went to the Dream Team* and overall FIRST place to Balmoral Kitchen Rules** It will have been at least 10 years - and perhaps longer - since we have achieved such success at District Camp. All Scouts and the PL/APL's are to be congratulated on their fantastic efforts. Quite apart from 'doing well' our fabulous Scouts have enjoyed a happy and relaxed camp with lots of fun, laughter and great food.

Thank you to those parents who helped pack/unpack the trailer at either end of the weekend and a super special thank you to Simone, partner David  and their incredibly helpful children who provided an extraordinary level of culinary and logistics support. 

As always, a special thank you to Matthew, whose tireless enthusiasm made the weekend a huge success.

Thank you finally to David, Libby, Kim, Angela, Leone (District Scout Leader) and Peter (Distrrict Commissioner) and Leaders from East Roseville, Northbridge and 3rd Mosman Bay whose on-site input and efforts enabled our youth members to enjoy a thoroughly enjoyable weekend.

* The Dream Team: Jamie (Joint PL), Charles (Joint PL), Angela, Adelaide, Ella, Charis, Julian, Lachie, Elyssa
**Balmoral Kitchen Rules: Claire (PL), Ella (APL), Ellen, Sarah, James, Gabe, Beau, Carmela

Congratulations to our intrepid Scout Hike participants on completing what was a fantastic weekend of activities.

Even our leaders got into the spirit of medieval.

Congratulations to all scouts who went on the Blue Cord Hike over the Anzac Day weekend.

Our scouts hiked from Thornleigh to Blue Gum Park in Chatswood where they camped overnight on Friday. In the morning our intrepid hikers hiked to Buffalo Creek Reserve in Hunters Hill.

Many thanks to Chatswood Scouts for the kind use of their hall and campground. The Scouts loved having a campfire and a giant rope swing!

Huge thanks to the leaders and parents who made the hike such a great success. Special thanks also to Matthew and Quentin who camped overnight with the scouts.

A lot of fun and some sore feet at the end.

Congratulations to our very own leaders Kim and Matthew who received Certificates of Merit at the 2013 Adult Scouting Recognition Awards.

Three Hundred and eight Adult Members of Scouts Australia, New South Wales, were honoured in the annual Adult Recognition Awards for good service, part of The Scout Association's observance of the founding of Scouting at the first Scout Camp held at Brownsea Island in the UK on 1 August 1907.