Scouts Take to the Sky in Scone

THERE were planes buzzing over Scone this weekend as more than 100 Scouts took their turn to fly out to Glenbawn Dam as part of the Scone Air Camp, which is held every five years.

Three Cessna 172 aircraft from Camden, which are owned by the Scouts and flown by Scout leaders, were on hand for the weekend, however wind conditions on Saturday meant they stayed on the tarmac.

A fourth aircraft was flown up when conditions eased on Sunday to ensure all of the scouts had their time in the air.

Greg Morris, Scout Leader in Scone said it was a great opportunity for Scouts to learn more about flying and learn some life skills camping.

“We are really lucky in Scone, we’ve got the Ward Birds museum and we’ve got a lot of support from the people who work at the airport and the Shire gives us a lot of support in terms of cultural funding and access to the terminal building and camping on the grounds,” said Mr Morris.

It enables the kids to be right up close and it expands their vision of what goes on

The experience in the little planes are great, while many of them have been in big Boeings, but they’ve never actually flown in a small plane where they can look out the window and see their own home as they fly out to Glenbawn Dam

“They are taken through aircraft recognition, understanding the operations of an air field, build model planes, fly kites to understand some of the principles of flying and go through the hanger of the War Birds museum,” he said.

Many of the children may go onto the Scout air program in Camden over five days where they have the opportunity to take the controls and fly a plane themselves.

Scouts estimate more than 500 pilots have gone through their air training programs in the last 35 years.

The camp also provides the Scouts with the opportunity to learn important life skills.

“Some of the kids are also learning how to cut a tomato,” laughed Mr Morris.

“They have to do the cooking, there are a team of kids who have prepared the menus and done the shopping, so the experience is far more than just flying,” he said.

On Saturday night they also enjoyed an outdoor movie….the movie chosen “Top Gun”.

First Scout Group Scone meets twice a week. Monday for Scouts aged 6 to 10 years at 6:30pm – 8pm and Thursday for Scouts aged 11 to 17 years of age at 6:30pm until 8:30pm at the Scout Hall, 58 Main Street, Scone. Contact Donna Hopkins for more information: donna.hopkins5@bigpond.com, 02 6545 3960.

Scouts ready to fly: Back L-R: Stephanie Ford, Frank Green, Thomas Hobbs, Lachlan Barnes and Tim Barnse. Front L-R: Chloe Green, Liam Guilfoyle and Courtney Roach.