ScoutHike 2020 - Cancelled

The recent Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has been causing concern throughout the community and has led to the recent closure of schools and public events, and thus the ScoutHike management team has made the decision to Cancel ScoutHike 2020.

The ScoutHike 2020 and Scouts NSW teams have been monitoring information provided by government authorities including the Federal and State Departments of Health to monitor the situation and plan for any health, safety and welfare risks, and make appropriate decisions.

Scouts NSW takes the health and safety of our members at Scouting events very seriously. On 12 March 2020 the Scouts NSW Coronavirus team relayed to the ScoutHike 2020 organisers the risks and possible adverse outcomes associated with holding a large event. Taking into consideration the information received from the Scouts NSW, the ScoutHike 2020 management team has decided to cancel ScoutHike for this year.

This decision was taken due to several factors, the most important being:

• Difficulties of monitoring participant health and welfare and providing adequate handwashing and hygiene facilities (particularly given the need for communal handwashing facilities) in a camping situation in a remote area without access to abundant supplies of fresh water.
   
• The likelihood that insufficient numbers of Leaders and Parent Helpers would register and attend the event to make it viable from a WHS perspective.

I want to assure you that while the decision was not an easy one, based on the information and the unprecedented conditions surrounding the virus outbreak, it is the correct one.

If you have any questions, please email scouthike.coordinator.snr@nsw.scouts.com.au.  The ScoutHike 2020 team will endeavour to provide answers to your questions as quickly as possible, but we do ask for your patience.

Updates and further information can be found at www.scouthike.com.

At the heart of all that we do in Scouting is the safety and wellbeing of our members, so I want to thank you for your understanding.

We hope to see you in the forest next year!

Yours in Scouting

Charles Turner
ScoutHike Co-ordinator

Frequently Asked Questions

Background

• ScoutHike usually takes place every year and consists of two days and two nights of activities and camping for Scouts.
• ScoutHike “Six Continents, People, Places and Movies” was scheduled to be held from 1 3 May 2020 at Belanglo State Forest.

What has happened?

• ScoutHike 2020 has been cancelled.

Why has this happened?

• On 13 March 2020 the ScoutHike 2020 team, following receipt of information from the Scouts NSW Coronavirus team, considered the health and welfare risks of running the event in light of the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
• With consideration of the difficulties of monitoring participant health and welfare, and providing adequate handwashing and hygiene facilities, the decision was made to cancel ScoutHike 2020.

Will I get my money back?

• Yes! Registration fees which have already been paid will be refunded, without discount.
• Patrol Leaders who have paid Registration fees for their patrols will be contacted soon by email to request banking details for refund of the fees.
• Patrol Leaders will then pass on reimbursement to individual patrol members.

Where can I find out more information?

• On the ScoutHike 2020 website (http://www.scouthike.com).
• The ScoutHike website has been updated with relevant information.

Merchandise

• Any pre-paid pre-ordered merchandise will be processed as per the original order.