Baw Baw and Latrobe's annual scouting event proved once again that adventure, teamwork, and resilience were thriving among young scouts.

On November 9 and 10, the peaceful bush setting of Caringal was transformed into a vibrant hub of thrill-seeking scouts and their families for a major scouting event, filled with exciting activities and time-honoured traditions.
With dozens of young participants, dedicated leaders, and enthusiastic supporters, the annual event confirmed scouting is alive, growing, and stronger than ever in the Baw Baw and Latrobe regions.
The weekend's main attraction, the eagerly awaited Cubs Billy Cart Derby on Saturday, brought together eight cub scout teams, aged between eight and 11, to race down the course, tackling a variety of challenging tasks.
Competing on both speed and skill, the young scouts had to navigate their homemade billy carts through a demanding course, which included a beloved mud pit and river crossing—tasks that have become annual favourites among participants and spectators alike.
After an intense series of races, the Drouin "Thunderbirds" team emerged victorious, clocking in an impressive time of 8 minutes and 19 seconds. Hot on their wheels was the Drouin "Speedy Fish," who claimed second place, while the Moe Rivers "Bobby's" rounded out the podium in third.
Older scouts were engaged in the esteemed Cohen Shield competition, a statewide event where patrols demonstrate their skills in teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving across a series of four tasks. The Cohen Shield is a hallmark of scouting excellence, as patrols aim to complete each task to the highest standard possible. Scouts were assessed on communication, teamwork, and effective task completion, with top performers awarded bronze, silver, or gold pennants based on their scores.
This year's Cohen Shield saw Warragul's "Rad Reptiles" patrol take the spotlight, achieving the event's only gold pennant and clinching the overall championship title.
On Sunday, the scouts had their own chance at the Billy Cart Derby. This time, the course was divided into three distinct stages - downhill, slalom, and cross country.
Moe Rivers' "Unicorns" team dominated the downhill stage with a burst of speed, while Warragul's "Gangster Goannas" took the lead in the slalom segment, showcasing remarkable cart handling and agility. Trafalgar's "Blue Tongue Lizards" clinched the cross country race, showing that endurance and steady progress can be just as crucial as speed in a race like this.
Moe Rivers "Unicorns" emerged as the overall champions, with their consistent performance across all three stages, including a first-place finish and two thirds, securing their position at the top.
The annual Derby and the Cohen Shield competition are more than just thrilling weekends; they are traditions that highlight the core values of scouting—teamwork, resilience, problem-solving, and respect for others. The activities allow scouts to test their skills, make new friends, and, most importantly, build confidence that will last a lifetime.