Humeoree kicks off 80 years celebrations

Unseasonally warm weather was no deterrent to the fun and adventure that was planned at Humeoree, held over the weekend at Glenfield Scout Activity Centre. 

Almost 400 members attended the camp, from the youngest five-year-old Joey Scout campers to the oldest Rover Scouts, all supported by a team of incredible Leaders and volunteers. 

Celebrating 80 years of Scouting in 2026, the Hume Region spans from the Parramatta River in the north to Moss Vale in the south and brings together a diverse group of participants from all walks of life for friendship, adventure and fun. 

As an all-sections camp, Humeoree truly had something for everyone, inspiring the Joey Scouts to give something a go for the first time, whilst our Rover Scouts supported the event by running bases and being involved in the preparations. Youth participants were free to explore more than 20 activity bases on offer at their own pace across the entire weekend in Patrols of four to eight, bringing emphasis to the Scouting philosophy of “youth-led, adult-supported”. 

Event Coordinator Samantha ensured that youth input was at the forefront of planning, and attributes this to the event’s success. “Humeoree was designed based on the results of a survey conducted earlier in the year,” she said. “The primary focus was to ensure that the youth members' requests and interests were at the forefront of every aspect of the camp.

“We also ensured that every section had access to the same activities, with each activity adapted to suit the relevant skill level requirements. This made all activities engaging for the youth ranging from Joey Scouts through to Venturer Scouts.”

For many participants, Humeoree was about more than completing the activities. It was an opportunity to challenge themselves, learn new skills, meet new friends from other Scout Groups across the Region and experience the energy and vibrance of Scouting in a large camp environment. 

When asked about her favourite Scouting memory so far, Abigail from 1st Narellan Scout Group said, “this day right here!”

Activities ranged from the creative, to the adventurous, to the silly and the memorable, and almost everything in between. Traditional Scouting activities such as billy boiling and a campfire were joined by exciting challenges including crate stacking and a ninja course, testing participants’ coordination, teamwork and determination.

There were plenty of creative activities too. Scouts could make friendship bracelets, take part in drum beats and create their own Scout Promise tokens. For those looking for a little more action, the Nerf battle and bottle rockets provided plenty of excitement, while mini golf offered a chance to slow down and enjoy some friendly competition.

A special highlight of the camp was the Heritage base, which combined a range of fun and retro hands-on activities with an extensive display of memorabilia from the past eight decades of Scouting across the Region including old badges, flags, awards, uniforms and so much more. Participants were free to take a walk through time and explore the rich and diverse history of Scouts across Hume, connecting with the thousands of others who had come before them. 

As the sun went down, Scouts gathered around the campfire to share stories, enjoy the fun, and relax after a busy day of activities. The campfire allowed time to reflect on the amazing experiences, and captured what Humeoree was all about – making friends and memories to last well beyond the weekend.  

For Melissa, a Cub Scout from 1st St Andrews Scout Group, the highlight of any camp is the friendships made. “When I go on camp my favourite thing is being in the tent and laughing with my friends at night,” she said. “I’m looking forward to going up to Scouts and going to the next Jamboree.”

The camp was only made possible by an incredible team of Leaders and volunteers who worked behind the scenes for months of planning and across the weekend. The success of the camp was a testament to the enthusiasm and dedication of the incredible people across the Region who contribute to the amazing experiences of the youth in Scouting today, whether they were planning menus and equipment for the campsites, preparing fun and adventurous activity bases, or providing administration or welfare support across the weekend. 

Trinity, a Joey Scout Leader from 1st Narellan Scout Group, knows the impact she is making for the youth in her care. “The joy on their faces always warms my heart, and you see what a difference you make for the youth you are helping along the way” she said. 

“Even kids who aren’t in your own Group, when they come up to you randomly at a big event just like this one, they remember you.”

With almost 400 people coming together for a weekend filled with adventure, creativity, history and friendship, Humeoree 2026 was a fantastic celebration of 80 years of Scouting in the Hume Region.

To continue the birthday celebrations, Hume will host an 80th Birthday Dinner on Friday, 23 October, with current volunteers, Scouting alumni and community leaders, then on Sunday, 25 October, Glenfield Scout Camp will open its doors to the public to showcase a range of fun family-friendly activities for the entire community.