The first thing Rovers can expect from SWASH is a Water Activities Day which helps familiarise you with the boats and activities. Typically we can take up to 40 people and run a mix of canoeing, sailing and power boating around Sydney Harbour.

As adults you have the capability to lead within Scouting, so we highly encourage you to become trained at SWASH to give you the Level 2 qualifications required to to this!

We offer standard Scout Skills training courses in Canoeing and Sailing. If you already have the skills, you can do a RPL day to test your prior experience. As Rovers, we encourage you to get these qualifications so you can run your own activities.

We also run powerboat courses. This also enables you to get your NSW Powerboat licence.

How can SWASH help you with your BP Award?

Below are some suggestions about how being active at SWASH can help you to achieve part of your BP Award (if you and your crew believe this is appropriate).

Method A

Service Badge – Once you have a Level 2 Scout Skills qualification or higher in canoeing or sailing, you can act as an Activity Leader at the base in that skill. 13 Water Activity Days plus course days in a season provides over 104 hours of service per season. There are also opportunities for service using marketing, fundraising and instruction and assessment skills. As part of this, you might undertake Branch Activity Leader Training and gain your Warrant as an Activity Leader.

Project Badge – The goals of the Project Badge can be measured by the development and achievement of qualifications in particular skills. In this case, you may go from a novice to a Level 2 Sailor, or achieve a combination of the skills that are learned at SWASH like becoming a water expert by gaining Level 2 in Canoe and Sailing, as well as your powerboat licence.

Method B

Social Development – This badge is seen as the equivalent to the Service Badge in Method A. The obvious option here is to become qualified in both skills on the water and as a Branch Activity Leader at SWASH.

Physical Development – Similar to the Project Badge, the goals of this badge can be measured by the development and achievement of qualifications in particular physical skills. As above, you may go from a novice to a Level 2 Sailor, or achieve a combination of the skills that are learned at SWASH like becoming a water expert by gaining Level 2 in Canoe and Sailing, as well as your powerboat licence.

Becoming an Activity Leader

Many Rovers become Leaders within the Scouting Association, sometimes for Service requirements and sometimes to give back to Scouting because they love it – and often for both reasons!

A Branch Activity Leader at SWASH is a way of becoming a warranted Leader and giving service back to Scouting, without the need to be formally attached to a Section or Group. It is ideal for those who may not be able to commit enough time or enough of themselves personally to develop within a Group environment. If you don’t want to hold a Warrant, you can still come down and help with activities for which you are qualified. If too many Leaders/helpers turn up on any given day, just pull out a spare canoe or boat and join in the fun!

All of the above are great things that Rovers can gain by being involved with SWASH while having fun on the water. If you want to get involved or attend an activity, just email [email protected].