Scout Activity Library

The Meeting Point: Meet at Lindisfarne Crescent Reserve, Carlingford. Gather the group on the grass for a quick safety brief and headcount.

Leg 1 (Entering the Track): Safely cross Lindisfarne Crescent as a group and enter the Hunts Creek walking track, heading towards Balaka Falls.

Leg 2 (The Outbound Journey): Take one of the two parallel tracks (either the Northern or Southern trail) heading westward. Tip: Pick one side for the way out, and save the other side for the return trip to keep things interesting for the youth!

Leg 3 (The Crossing): Continue hiking westward, carefully crossing Northam Drive to stay on the bushwalk track on the other side.

Leg 4 (The Turnaround Point): Follow the trail all the way until it emerges at Statham Avenue. This is the designated halfway point. Stop here for a rest break, a quick drink of water, and a headcount.

Leg 5 (The Return Loop): Turn the group around to head back eastward. When you reach the split trails again, take the opposite track (Northern or Southern) back towards the start to experience the reserve from a different perspective.

The Finish: Recross Lindisfarne Crescent back into the reserve for final dismissal.

The Setup: In the exact center of the hall, stack the three blue water barrels securely on top of each other to form a central tower. Balance the long wooden pole perfectly on top of the highest drum so that it hangs out evenly on each side.

The Circle: All players form a large circle around the stacked barrels and tightly lock hands.

The Spin: On the Leader’s whistle, the circle begins to spin and move around the barrels.

The Objective: Players must use their weight and momentum to pull, push, or maneuver other players into the barrels or the hanging pole, while fighting to stay clear of the obstacle themselves.

Elimination Rules: A player is eliminated if:

They touch any part of the barrels or the wooden pole.

They knock the pole off the top of the drums.

The Break: If the circle breaks, both the player who let go and the person whose hand they dropped are immediately out.

Resetting: Whenever someone hits the obstacle or a link breaks, the game pauses. The remaining players reform the circle, reset the pole on top of the barrels, and start the spin again.

Winning: The game continues, with the circle getting smaller and smaller, until only two players are left. The final survivor who forces the other into the obstacle wins!

The Setup: Label the four walls of the hall as North, South, East, and West. Have all youth start in the very center of the hall.

The Command: The Leader calls out a direction (e.g., “East!”) and begins a loud countdown from 5 down to 1.

The Action: The youth must quickly run to that wall before the countdown reaches zero.

The Elimination: The last person to reach the corner, or anyone who runs to the incorrect corner, is out. Eliminated players sit in the middle to act as “obstacles” that the remaining players must run around.

Winning: The last remaining Joey or Cub is the winner.

• The Meeting Point (Day vs. Night):

  • Weekends / Day: Drive inside the main gates and park/meet at the Shepherds Picnic Area.

  • After Hours / Night: The main vehicle gates will be locked. Park the cars safely along Oratava Avenue (opposite 72), West Pennant Hills and meet at the pedestrian entry.

• The After-Hours Buffer: If visiting at night when the gates are shut, factor in a 10-minute walk from the street just to reach the main trailheads, and another 10 minutes to walk back out at the end.

• Option A – The Sensory Trail (Joeys & Cubs): Follow the flat, accessible Sensory Trail. This is perfect for daytime or early evening visits, allowing younger youth to touch, smell, and listen to the forest environment.

• Option B – Night Exploration (Cubs & Scouts): Navigate the deeper walking tracks under the heavy forest canopy. It gets incredibly dark due to the dense trees and lack of surrounding streetlights, making it an excellent exercise for torch-light navigation.

• The Return: Gather at the designated picnic area or track entrance for a final headcount before heading back to the cars.

• The Grid Setup: Line up the Patrols at one end of the hall. Directly in front of each Patrol line, place a low balance bench in the middle of the floor, and place a chair at the far end of the hall as their turnaround point.

• The Handout: Give the first Scout in each Patrol line a spoon with a ping pong ball balanced on it.

• The Race: On the Leader’s signal, the first Scout must walk forward holding the spoon out in front of them. They must carefully step up and over the bench, walk all the way around the far chair, step over the bench on the way back, and return to their line.

• The Handover: Once they return, they carefully hand the spoon and ball over to the next Scout in line. The race continues down the line.

• Winning: The first Patrol to have all of their runners successfully complete the course and return to a seated line wins.

The Setup: Have all players stand in a large, wide circle facing inward.

The Position: The Leader (or an older Scout) stands directly in the center of the circle holding the rope.

The Practice (Warm-up): Announce that there are two warm-up lives at the start of the game to get used to the timing.

The Action: The center person begins to spin the rope around in a low circle, keeping the weighted end gliding along or just above the floor.

The Objective: As Kaa’s tail approaches, players must time their jumps to leap over the rope.

Elimination: If the rope touches a player’s feet or legs after the warm-up lives are used, they are “out” and must step backward out of the circle.

Winning: The game continues until only one player is left standing, who is crowned the winner.

The Meeting Point: Meet at the end of Perry Street, North Rocks. Conduct a safety briefing and headcount before setting off.

Leg 1 (The Start): Safely cross the road and walk along Loyalty Road, heading towards the bush track entry.

Leg 2 (The Dam): Follow the trail to make your way down to the North Rocks Dam. Walk safely underneath the dam wall, heading north into Bidjigal Reserve.

Leg 3 (The Crossing): Cross the creek over to the eastern side of the track. Continue along the trail as it winds toward the bridge.

Leg 4 (The Bridge Climb): Carefully make your way under the Renown Road bridge. Scramble up safely onto the concrete footpath.

Leg 5 (The Return): Follow the footpath along Renown Road until you reach the traffic lights. Safely cross at the lights and follow Perry Street all the way back to the original starting point.

The Finish: Conduct a final headcount and debrief.

• The Drop-Off / Meeting Point: To avoid main car park congestion, have parents drop off and park in the side streets near 94 North Rocks Road, Northmead / North Parramatta. Gather the youth safely on the footpath before heading onto the trail access point.

• Choosing Your Direction: The 5.2km circuit can be walked seamlessly in either direction:

  • Clockwise Route: This positions the playground, open grassed areas, and public toilets toward the end of the hike at the 4km mark—great for a reward lunch break or a rest.

  • Anticlockwise Route: This brings you to the playground and toilet amenities early on at the 1km mark.

• The Trail: Follow the main lake circuit track. The terrain is a mix of dirt tracks, boardwalks, and some rocky steps, offering beautiful water views throughout the loop.

• The Pickup: Complete the loop back to the North Rocks Road entry trail for parent pickup.

• The Drop-Off / Meeting Point: To avoid main car park congestion, have parents drop off and park in the side streets near 94 North Rocks Road, Northmead / North Parramatta. Gather the youth safely on the footpath before heading onto the trail access point.

• Choosing Your Direction: The 4km circuit can be walked seamlessly in either direction:

  • Clockwise Route: This positions the playground, open grassed areas, and public toilets toward the end of the hike at the 3km mark—great for a reward lunch break or a rest.

  • Anticlockwise Route: This brings you to the playground and toilet amenities early on at the 1km mark.

• The Trail: Follow the main lake circuit track. The terrain is a mix of dirt tracks, boardwalks, and some rocky steps, offering beautiful water views throughout the loop.

• The Pickup: Complete the loop back to the North Rocks Road entry trail for parent pickup.

• The Meeting Point: Meet at the fire trail entrance located at the end of Excelsior Avenue, Castle Hill. Gather the youth for a roll call and a safety briefing about walking on steep terrain.

• Leg 1 (The Descent): Start the track directly from the end of the street. Head down the trail to take in the elevated views looking deep into the Coachwood and Excelsior Creek valleys.

• Leg 2 (The Valley Floor): Follow the path as it descends into the valley. The trail winds through dense fern gullies and towering Coachwood trees, providing plenty of shade.

• Leg 3 (The Creek Crossings): Navigate the valley floor along Excelsior Creek. You will need to manage the group across two separate creek crossings using the installed stepping stones.

• The Turnaround / Return: Complete the loop following the valley track markers to ascend back up the slopes to the starting fire trail on Excelsior Avenue.

The Setup: Have all the youth stand in a large, wide circle facing inward around the perimeter of the hall.

The Rollers: Designate a couple of Leaders (or a few chosen Scouts) to stand on the outside of the circle holding the soft balls.

The Action: On the whistle, the rollers begin to roll the balls across the floor into the circle, targeting the players’ feet and legs.

The Rules: * Balls must be rolled along the floor.

Any ball that rises above the knee does not count, and the player is not out.

Elimination: If a legally rolled ball touches a player below the knee, they are out. They must leave the inside of the circle and join the outside as an extra “roller” to help eliminate the remaining players.

Winning: As more players are eliminated, the balls speed up. The last player left dodging in the center of the circle is the winner.

The Setup: Place a bench at each end of the hall to act as the goals. The ball starts in the exact center of the room.

Pairing Up: Line up all the Cubs/Scouts in a single line from shortest to tallest.

Numbering: Count them off in pairs. The first two (shortest) are Number 1, the next two are Number 2, and so on. This ensures fair, evenly-heighted matchups.

The Sidelines: Divide the pairs into two teams. Team A lines up along one side wall of the hall, and Team B lines up along the opposite wall.

The Call: The Leader calls out a number (e.g., “Number 5!”). The two players assigned that number run to the center and pick up a pool noodle.

The Face-off: Before hitting the ball, the two players must tap their noodles on the floor, then against each other’s noodle, repeating this three times while chanting “Hockey 1, Hockey 2, Hockey 3!”. The Match: After the third tap, the ball is live. Players try to hit the ball into their opponent’s bench. To score, the ball must roll under the front of the bench. All other Cubs must remain on the sidelines, cheering not interfering.

Time Limit: Each round lasts until a goal is scored, or until the maximum time limit of 90 seconds is reached. Players then return the noodles to the center and head back to the sidelines.

• The Setup: The hall is designated as a giant pirate ship. The front of the hall is Bow, the back is Stern, the left is Port, and the right is Starboard.

• The Commands: The Leader (The Captain) calls out various commands that the youth must immediately act out:

  • “The Captain’s Coming!” – Everyone stops, salutes, and shouts “Aye Aye Captain!”. They cannot move or break the salute until the leader says “Ease Springs”.

  • “Port / Starboard / Bow / Stern” – Everyone runs to that specific wall.

  • “Scrub the Deck” – Drop to hands and knees and mimic scrubbing the floor.

  • “Climb the Rigging” – Stand in place and mimic climbing a ladder.

  • “Shark Attack!” – Youth must get both feet completely off the floor (climbing onto chairs, the stage, or balance benches) within 5 seconds.

• Elimination: Anyone who performs the wrong action, runs the wrong way, or moves during the Captain’s salute is out.