Scoop  Culture

Scouts on Expedition to Antarctica

Click to enlarge
Photograph of Scouting New Zealand Expedition Team
Left side: Matt O’Sullivan (foreground), Andy Bartle (middle), TomWilliams (rear)
Right side: Tim Johns (foreground), John Dale (rear)

MEDIA RELEASE
Scouting New Zealand

27 November 2007

Scouts on Expedition to Antarctica

A team of four New Zealand Scouts and one Scout Leader left for Antarctica this morning for a week at Scott Base.

The group assembled yesterday in Christchurch at the headquarters of Antarctic New Zealand, where they were out-fitted with special-issue Antarctic clothing and briefed on what to expect.

The Scouts’ Antarctic Expedition is part of the International Polar Year (IPY) programme which consists of over 200 projects and involves numerous scientists from over 60 countries.

“The New Zealand Scouts will be located at Scott Base and will work on building and repairing walkways in the immediate area,” said Scouts CEO, Chris Hooper. “The conditions are harsh, and everything is weather-dependent, but we expect our team to make a useful contribution to Scott Base.”

The expedition, the first of its kind for Scouts, is being keenly followed by the rest of the Scouting Movement internationally.

“The team have this opportunity because they are Scouts and have passed a range of rigorous eligibility criteria. Survival skills, an awareness of risk, self-discipline and teamwork are key characteristics for the team chosen for this expedition. We are indebted to Antarctic New Zealand for their support and encouragement,” said Hooper.

ENDS

MEDIA INFORMATION

20 November 2007

Scouts’ Antarctic Expedition

John Dale
Scouts’ Antarctic Team Leader (Southland)

My name is John Dale. I have been privileged to be chosen as event leader of the Scouting 100 year anniversary trip to Antarctic (K250). I am a 49 year old Southland farmer. I am married with three teenage children who are also involved in Scouts. I am the Scout leader of the local Balfour Scout Group.

Other interests and pastimes are mountaineering, building and engineering, sailing, hunting and fishing. Not so much mountaineering these days but I still enjoy getting away. Hunting is a great way to still enjoy the mountains. I recently sailed my home built yacht, with my 15 year old son Ethan, from NZ around part of the South West Pacific to Fiji where she waits for stage two of our journey next winter.

Andy Bartle - 18 years.
Scouts’ Antarctic Team Member (Wellington)

Born and bred in Wellington. I have been a member of Scouting NZ since I was 14. This has been an amazing experience and allowed me many great opportunities such as flying planes, learning life skills, bungee jumping, leadership training + experiences and international travel. The Scouting NZ Jamboree is held at the end of 2007 and I am helping run the radio station for that. It is a project we have been working on for two years. Besides Scouting one of my interests is the outdoors - Skiing, Climbing/Mountaineering and Tramping. I have always been very interested in Antarctica for this reason - the landscape, early explorers and climbing possibilities. Visiting Antarctica is a dream of mine.

This year is my 'gap year' between college and university. I have worked, skied, climbed and travelled and am rearing to get back to learning again next year. I am writing this little biography from a very crowded and noisy Internet cafe in Kathmandu the capital of Nepal. I got back this morning from a 3 week trek in the Everest region. Reached 3500m and temperatures plunged to -10 so I am beginning to see what’s in for me down in Antarctica. I just had my first shower, shave, beer and steak in three weeks and so feeling pretty good. I have also travelled to Japan and Thailand this year. Next year I plan to study Geology/Geography at Victoria University in Wellington.

Matt O’Sullivan
Scouts’ Antarctic Team Member (Christchurch)

I got the opportunity to experience this trip because of my current and past involvement in Scouting. I have been involved with Scouting since I was 8 years old moving from Cubs, to Scouts, to Venturers and now Rovers. I have also been helping out as a Cub Helper for the last 3 years. This year I completed my Gold Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Scout awards.

I recently finished my first year at Canterbury University majoring in Management and endorsing in Human Resources, Marketing, and Strategic Management. I play soccer in the winter and tennis in the summer. I spend most of my spare time mountain biking on the tracks on the Port Hills just behind my house.

I must express my gratitude to Antarctica NZ and Scouting NZ for offering this amazing trip of a lifetime. I believe it is a brilliant way to celebrate the International Polar Year and Scouting’s centennial.

Tim Johns
Scouts’ Antarctic Team Member (Christchurch)

This year I began studying Engineering at the University of Canterbury. Having just completed my Intermediate year, I now intend to move into Mechanical Engineering in 2008. Outside of University I am a Bicycle Mechanic, a Trampoline Coach, Bell Ringer, Mountain Biker and Unicyclist. On top of this I am a Rover and a Queen Scout.

I would like to express my gratitude to Antarctica NZ and Scouting NZ for this experience. I think that this is a remarkable opportunity and a great way to celebrate 100 years of Scouting around the world.

Tom Williams (Christchurch)
Scouts’ Antarctic Team Member

I have been involved with Scouting right the way through, from being a Kea at the age of 6 to a Venturer at the age of 18. I’ve travelled far and wide through Scouting, attending many national and international events and meeting hundreds of great people along the way.

Outside of Scouting, I enjoy playing hockey, skiing, sailing, hunting and tramping. Being involved with Scouting for the majority of my life, getting outdoors is pretty important; especially as us kiwis have one of the best backyards in the world! The family Bach in Akaroa is where I spend most of the summer holidays, where plenty sailing and cricket on the beach is to be had.

When I’m not Scouting, or on holiday (which sounds about the only thing that I do) I can be found with my head in a book at University. I have just finished my 1st year of a Bachelor of Science at the University of Canterbury, where I am majoring in Biology and Geography. All things going according to plan (famous last words) I hope to head down the path of marine biology and coastal geography. I’m also extremely interested in Antarctica! So hoping to fit in the Antarctic studies course somewhere in the degree, but with so many courses I want to do, and the student loan (and time) only stretching so far, I could be at University for a long time to come.

To fund all the extravagant Scout trips, and textbooks, I am a Support Worker at the Halswell Residential College. My role at the school is to help out in one of the Villas, and to take the boys on outings. These outings may range from going to a mall, to a two-day tramp. So it suits me very well!

--

FACT SHEET
Scouting New Zealand

Scouting is New Zealand’s leading and preferred youth movement. The Scouting Movement began in 1907 and was established in New Zealand in 1908. Scouting has included young women since 1980.

The Chief Scout in NZ is the Governor General, His Excellency Hon. Anand Satyanand, PCNZM.

The Scouting Movement includes a range of age-appropriate membership options for school age children through to young adults:
- Keas (6 – 8 yrs )
- Cubs (8 – 10 yrs )
- Scouts (10 - 14 yrs)
- Venturers (14 - 18 yrs)
- Rovers (18 – 26 yrs) )

Scouting encourages its members to develop personal responsibility, positive self esteem and self confidence through participation in outdoor activities and national events. The outdoor activities programme for Scouting has been developed to challenge young people in a safe and supportive environment. All activities are delivered under professional supervision.

The annual programme of Scouts’ National Schools include:
- Aviation& Flying Schools
- Photography
- Mountaincraft
- Snow School
- Canoe School
- Caving School
- Driving School
- Sea Kayaking School
- Rock Climbing School
Key dates in Scouts’ 2008 Calendar:

28 December 2007 – 6 January
International Jamboree (Christchurch)
January
National Flying School
23 February
National Mudslide Day
20 March
‘Spirit of New Zealand’ – Scouts’ Voyage
25 April
ANZAC Day Commemorations
22 June
Centennial Campfire Day
1 August
International Rendezvous
September
National Snow School
National Mountaincraft School
National Photography School
28 December 2008 – 5 January 2009
National Sea Scouts Regatta (Porirua)

© Scoop Media

 

Culture Headlines | Health Headlines | Education Headlines