Information re Planned Burn at Tallarook State Forest

12th May 2025

Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) have recently conducted a Planned Fuel Reduction Burn within the Scouthike activity area in Tallarook State Forest. The Scouthike Management Team has been in regular contact with FFMvic and the Burn status is now classified as “Patrolled”, while there are no active flames, some smoke remains in the area, which continues to be monitored and assessed over the coming days. This is a routine fuel management activity and is expected to be concluded before Scouthike advance teams arrive on Thursday.

At this stage, the burn is not expected to impact Scouthike. The area is bordered by established roads and tracks, which remain open and accessible during Scouthike, with the exceptionof Henry Track which is now out of bounds. As awlays, Scout Patrols must remain on marked roads and tracks - entry into the burn area is strictly prohibited. Patrols found breaching this rule may face significant penalties.

The Scouthike team continues to liaise closely with FFMVic and have prepared a contingency plan should conditions change or air quality around the burn area deteriorate. Activity points potentially affectedby a broader exclusion zone will be contacted directly.

Further updates wil be provided in the coming days as conditions continue to be reviewed.

The Scouthike Management Team

SCOUTHIKE 2025

ANIMATION ANTICS (cartoons)

May 16th to May 18th

SCOUTHIKE Q & A

Have a question , need some help - Contact us on SCOUTHIKE VIC Q&A on Whats app

SCOUTHIKE 2026 Registrations Open February

PATROLS NOT PAID IN FULL BY APRIL 26th WILL BE WITHDRAWN

For payment details see further down this page.

For more info look on the website under the relevant headings.

Important dates for 2026 (yet to be confirmed)

- - - - February 9th Registration Applications open
        March 15th 7.00pm Sleep point coordinators & committee meeting - TEAM
        March 29th Registration Applications close for Bonus Points
        April 26th 7.00pm Sleep point coordinators & committee meeting - TEAM
        April 26th All patrol Registration Applications CLOSED
        (May 10th Leader & Venturer Applications CLOSED)
        April 27th Deadline for Final Payment or Patrol de-registered
        May 3th Information emailed to PL’s & Leaders
        May 3th Patrol places offered to waiting list. First in first served
        May 15-17th SCOUTHIKE 2026

Please register early to ensure your Patrol's place in this awesome event

WHAT IS SCOUTHIKE?

Scouthike is an annual, state-wide hiking event for around 1200 scouts. It is held within a State Forest early in May each year. In 2025, Scouthike will be held in Tallarook State Forest on Friday 15th – 17th May. Branch First Aid, 4x4 and Radio teams work together with the Scouthike organizing committee to provide services and support for this highly successful event. Scouthike has a theme base each year, with every person, Sleep point and activity site being asked to dress-up to the theme each year, so increasing the fun aspect of the weekend.

On Friday evening Scout Patrols from metropolitan Melbourne are transported by coaches, whilst regional patrols travel by private transport, to a leader operated Sleep-point in Tallarook State Forest. The PL’s are provided with a map, a list of grid references for Activity and Sleep Point locations, and a Patrol Passport which includes their instructions. Patrols plot the Activity points and decide which route they want to take throughout the weekend. After breakfast on Saturday morning, Competition Patrols set off hiking between Activities to their designated Saturday Sleep Point. Sunday morning they head off again to finish at a central Finish Point, from where they are collected by the coaches or private transport and travel back to their original departure location. Learner Patrols are also provided for, although they are accompanied by a Mentor Leader on their hike, walk with a half full pack and return to the same Sleep point on Saturday night (their tent and sleeping gear stays set-up).

Each Activity is a Patrol-based exercise provided by Leaders, Rovers and Venturers. Those which are not purely fun are based on Scout Skills, usually linked to a requirement in the Core Outdoor Adventure Skills , stage 3 or 4 of the Achievement Pathways. Patrols are assessed at each Activity as a team in four aspects: "Leadership", "Planning", "Attitude and Enthusiasm" and "Overall Achievement". The total of their weekend scores determine if they are Gold, Silver, Bronze or Competition standard. Competitive Patrols earning Gold Standard, are "Co-holders" of the Annual Scouthike Trophy and have the right to proudly display it at Group and other special occasions. Learner patrols all receive a Competitive pennant.

There are a number of purposes for Scouthike:

To encourage all scouts to get out and experience hiking and lightweight camping. Scouts can select to participate as either competitor or learner patrols.
As an introduction for easy hiking and lightweight camping for those scouts who have little or no experience.
As a competitive hike for those patrols wanting an additional challenge in their yearly calendar.
To encourage Scouters to assist their scouts in developing the knowledge and skills (i.e. lightweight camping, hiking, map reading, compass reading, estimation, first aid, construction, cooking etc.) needed for the weekend, through their weekly programs prior to the event.
To provide a great weekend where Scouters can assist in providing a major event for a wide range of scouts, joining together with many other Scouters.

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The cost is $80-00 per head for all Metro Region, including Geelong, Scouts (plus 100 Bonus Points, if received before March 29th) Covers cost of bus transport to and from the hike area, pennants for each Patrol, badges for each person involved, toilets, drinking water, as well as administration costs. Etc.

Country Region or Interstate Patrols pay $50-00 per head (no bus cost) (plus 100 Bonus Points, if received before March 29th)

A Mentor Leader accompanying a Metro Learner Patrol is $40-00 (Only one Mentor Leader per Learner Patrol)

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Direct deposits are to be made to SCOUTHIKE Bendigo Bank BSB: 633-000 Account number: 165847260 Payment Ref "PATROL [PATROL_ID]"

When submitting your Payment, quote the Patrol Reference Number as shown on the email reply you received when registering.

Note: Until your payment is received your application is not complete and Bonus Points will not be allocated.

WITHDRAWAL FROM SCOUTHIKE 2026 REFUND POLICY

Scouthike 2026 is limited to 1200 scouts

WAITING LIST / STANDBY EMAIL

If the quota of 1,200 Scouts is reached, we have a waiting list. If you wish to be on this list please email your Patrol's details (number of patrols and scouts involved etc) you may be contacted when we delete patrols that have not paid on time or withdrawn in the next few weeks.

PATROLS NOT PAID IN FULL BY April 26th WILL BE WITHDRAWN

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