INFORMATION FOR LEADERS

 APPLICATIONS OPEN FEB 8th 2026

For payment details see further down this page.

All Patrols attending Scouthike MUST have at least 1 leader, ideally 2, from that Troop attending to help out at SCOUTHIKE. (more are of course welcome.) Leaders and parent helpers are needed in a range of capacities to help make Scouthike operate successfully.

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Adults attending MUST comply with the following.

Key points to note are 

• This applies to All and Every Adult, including Rovers

• Every Participant must be registered with Scouts Victoria

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Competition & Learner Patrols . The cost is $80 per Scout for all Metro Region, Including Geelong, Scouts, (plus 100 Bonus Points, if received before the bonus deadline) this covers the 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 per Scout.

Cost for a Mentor Leader accompanying a Metro Learner Patrol is $40 to cover the cost of the Bus.

Note: The application is not finalized until your payment has been received. 

Closing date for application is April 27th  2025

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

PLEASE NOTE: Final Parade, Patrols are expected to be able to leave approximately 2:30 pm. Please arrange your parent pick up from your hall based on leaving the Forest around this time.  

April 24th  2026 All Applications for Patrols will CLOSE.   Leaders can still apply after this date

How can I best prepare my Patrols for SCOUTHIKE?

Getting Patrols ready for SCOUTHIKE requires the Scouts to have a reasonable level of skill in a number of areas.

The following list is a summary of skills required to make the ScoutHike experience a happy and rewarding one for Scouts, and easily translates into a number of months of programming ideas.

1.     Map – reading features, locate current position, grid systems, scale, route planning

2.     Using a Compass – locate current position, feature location, setting a map

3.     Menu Planning – dried foods, purchasing, planning content and quantity as a Patrol

4.     Lightweight Cooking – practice your meals and equipment needed (only open fires provided to be used)

5.     Personal Gear – what to take

6.     Patrol Gear – what to take, how to share

7.     Packing a Pack – how to pack

8.     First Aid – prevention and response to: blisters, fatigue, nausea, headache, dizziness, heat exhaustion, hypothermia, abdominal pains, bites and stings, leeches 

How do I register as a leader/adult helper?

Ø   Register as an Independent leader, or talk to the Scout Leader to register as a leader with a Troop

Before you Register it is worthwhile to check the Sleep Point page and see who the Sleep Point Coordinators are and phone (or email) the one relevant to you (ie: your Region or somebody you know) and offer your services so when you Register you can fill in what you are doing (such as Activity or Sleep Point).

Click Here to Register

How do I change my Leader registration?

Ø   For a Leader Registered with a Troop, see your Scout Leader to update your details online, for an Independent Registered Leader, send an email to the Coordinator with your full name, group/formation and details of the change.

How much does it cost for Leaders?

Ø   Cost for a leader accompanying a Metro Learner Patrol is $40.00 (bus cost).

Ø   The only cost for any other leader, adult helper, Venturer or Rover assisting at Scouthike will be for catering, which is paid directly to your Sleep Point Coordinator, or you can self-cater at your own cost.

Where is SCOUTHIKE being held?

Ø   The location of Scouthike  is TALLAROOK STATE FOREST

Overnight Accommodation for ALL Adults, Venturer's, Rovers and Leaders. 

Please Check-in at your Sleep-Point before heading to your Activity location to set up your camp.  

Ø   All Adults, Venturer's, Rovers and Leaders asked to sleep with either their Sleep point or Activity site while at Scouthike.  Your Sleep point Co-ordinator or HQ needs to know where you will be. The SH committee need to know where you are in case of an emergency or evacuation.

Expectations of leaders throughout the weekend.

Ø   Leaders leaving a Sleep Point or Activity, OR arriving at another Sleep Point or Activity are expected to advise the co-ordinator of that site of their intentions. This is essentially a matter of common courtesy and part of our Risk Management Plan to help protect our youth members.

Interested in helping but don't know what you could do?

Ø   Here are some of the jobs available. The Leader/Helper Registration Form has a place where you can indicate your preferences if you haven't already been allocated a job.

Activity Site Leader

Determine / plan the Activity (as per the briefing provided by the SH planning committee)

Ø  Visit the site prior to the SH weekend, to look at how you can best set-up.

Ø  Liaise with Sleep point Co-ordinator regarding all plans for the weekend.

Ø  You will organize the adults / Rovers / Venturers.

Ø Arrange the materials (depends on the activity), ensuring the activity is dressed up and ready for the Saturday morning start.

Ø Inspire your team to enjoy themselves and breathe magic into the weekend for the Scouts!

Activity Site Team Member

Assist the Site leader to plan & prepare the Activity.

Ø Turn up for the weekend, helping to set up, dress up and run the activity with the rest of the team.

Ø Be inspired and enjoy yourself, breathing magic into the weekend for the Scouts!

Catering

Be part of a team who provide meals for the 30 - 40 activity leaders who will be eating at a Sleep Point for the weekend.

Sleep Point Team Member

Ø Assisting SP Co-ordinator in a wide range of tasks to ensure the Scouts are provided for. This could involve:

Ø Booking Patrols in and out of the SP

Ø Checking Activities are running smoothly and have enough water throughout the weekend

Ø Supervising the Scouts set up camp and prepare meals

Ø Prepare & maintain cooking fires for the scouts

Ø Generally enjoy yourself whilst getting to know other leaders and supporting the Scouts.

Mentor Leaders on a Bus

Ø Maintain acceptable bus behaviour during the journey.

Ø Ensure the bus is left clean and that the Scouts have removed everything from the bus. This applies on both Friday night and Sunday.

• On Friday night one Leader, the one sitting close to the front, will be asked to carry the Booking Information. 

• This information is to be handed to the Sleep Point Coodinator when the bus arrives at the Sleep Point.

Bus Point Marshall and Bus Booking Team

For someone who can't attend the weekend, but can spare some time on Friday evening and Sunday afternoon.

Ø Liaise with Scouthike Co-ordinator as required.

Select a Team of "volunteers" to coordinate traffic and book Patrols onto each bus.

Those booking  Patrols onto a bus need to be at the Departure Point by 6-00 pm on Friday  - arriving before the Patrols.

Ø Supervise the departure/arrival point for buses, directing Scouts and adults as needed.

Ø Use initiative to resolve issues as they arise at departure / arrival point.

Ø Wait until all Scouts have been collected on Sunday afternoon.

Adult Membership 

Please be aware that all Adults (including Rovers) attending Scouthike:

Ø Must be registered with Scouts Victoria either as a Leader, Rover or Adult Supporter (please refer to Scouts Victoria for Membership requirements)