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Scouts lead the waterwise pack |
| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Jan 20 2007 at 8:38 PM |
Dated: 19th Jan 2007 - Source
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Summer fun used to involve lots of water but with some states banning even water toys, organizations like the scouts have come up with some innovative ways to have fun and still be waterwise.
At the National Jamboree held recently at Elmore in Victoria, the scouts found that a lack of water didn't necessarily mean a lack of fun.
Megan D from the Oakleigh Scout Troop is 12 years old and one of the participants. This is what she wrote about the experience:
"My name is Megan, I am 12 years old and I live in Brisbane, Queensland. Recently I have attended a jamboree: a ten day camp for scouts from all over Australia. The jamboree was held near a small town, Elmore, Victoria. At the jamboree, conditions were hot, dusty and dry, so in order to keep us cool many of the activities involved water. At this present stage, Elmore is only subject to level one water restrictions and water is more accessible there than at home. At the jamboree all the water came from a bore. However, this did not mean we were not careful with water. The water was treated so some of it could be used for drinking. The use of drinking water was kept to the minimum and the undrinkable water was used for toilets and activities. We also recycled water at the Jamboree, including a special recycling system on the waterslide.
Arriving home in Brisbane where the current water restrictions are at level four, was a big change. As it is also hot here, it is difficult to keep cool and have fun but still abide with the water restrictions. Water fights are off limits. Some simple suggestions include going to air conditioned public places such as the movies, bowling allies or museums. My awareness of the drought has made me realise the importance of water and the need we all have to conserve it."
As Megan indicates, Jamboree organizers did their waterwise homework. Leslie Hansen, assistant Scout Leader, Wayville Heights Group in Queensland, explains that water came from a bore and was pumped into a tank onsite where it was treated – 70 per cent was transformed into drinking water and the rest used in onsite toilets, hand basins and activities. There were water saving measures in place including waterless urinals, low-flow shower heads and taps and a recycled water system in the water slide. At the end of the jamboree, only 75 per cent of the water allocation was used, she says.
It seems that the Queensland scouts are leading the pack when it comes to water awareness. Cubs in that state can complete a waterwise badge which is what 10 year old Iain from the Aspley Cub Scout Pack has done.
Iain needed to complete six activities to earn the badge. Among the criteria were experiments designed to demonstrate the properties of water and its importance in our bodies. One that he remembers involved standing a stick of celery in water laced with food colouring. An experiment which showed him capillary action at work and illuminated the amount of water in living things.
"Water is really precious," says Iain "and we have to be more careful with it."
Queensland scouting has installed rain water tanks at some of the dens, says Leslie, using monies from the Australian Government Community Water Grants. They hope to be able to put tanks into all the sites so as not to be using treated scheme water for water down canoes and the like, she says.
In the best tradition of preparedness and improvisation, the scouts have their own version of white water rafting, without the white water. Take a sheet of plastic, says Leslie and a half of bucket of water. Add a cup of detergent, biodegradable. Use just a cup of water on the plastic. Grab an inner tube and slide away.
"It puts a mist into the air and that provides a cooling effect as well as getting a little bit damp and having a lot of fun."
Megan, Iain and Leslie Hansen were guests on My Country on ABC Local Radio on the 17th January.