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The Victorian Scout Caving Team is an activity team in the
Victorian Branch
of Scouts Australia.
Its sole purpose is to introduce the challenges and adventures of caving to
Scouts, Venturers, Rovers and their Leaders.
Generally during the second or third weekend of each month. Trips may be run at other times by special
arrangement. Check the 2010 Caving Team Calendar for details.
After your Venturer Unit or Rover Crew has booked a trip, we will arrange a couple of team members to
come to your Scout Hall on a suitable meeting night and give an orientation talk on Caving and Caves.
They will also demonstrate caving equipment and answer questions.
These talks can also be arranged for Units and Crews who have not yet decided to
actually go caving, and they may be attended by parents, a neighbouring Unit, Group,
District Leaders or friends. Allow about 2 hours for an interesting evening in your programme.
The team does not do orientation talks for Scout Troops. The Troop Leader coordinates the Scout Caving Badge requirements
and trip preparation.
Two nights of camping (Friday and Saturday) are involved on a weekend trip (or three for long
weekends) to Buchan or Mount Eccles.
A Scout Hall is used for accommodation in Portland.
You need to bring your own camping gear and all food.
Some personal gear is also a mandatory requirement for a caving trip.
Caving is a very controlled and safe activity with the caving team.
The Leaders in the team are trained and have a complete knowledge of
the caves we use. The caves are selected to suit your own level of experience
and ability and all special safety equipment and skills are provided by the team.
The team operates by widely recognised codes of ethics and behaviour,
including the ASF
Code of Ethics and Conservation,
Minimal Impact Caving Code, and the
Cave Safety Guidelines
Worrying about possible claustrophobia is a common pre-caving concern of many people.
Some of the caves are bigger than your Scout Hall, so they shouldn't be a problem.
Very few people in fact are claustrophobic (do you worry about getting into a car
or phone box?). You are never alone and there are so many interesting things to see and do in
caves that no one thinks about being confined.
Caving is a suitable activity for incorporating into the various Scout, Venturer
and Rover award schemes, such as Queens Scout. Discuss this with us during the pre-trip talk.
Underground investitures are an unforgettable experience and we can help you with
a suitable cave if your Troop / Unit / Crew wishes to do this - usually on the Saturday night.
Membership of the team is open to all members of the Scout Association.
The caving team have also obtained members from the Guide movement and the public,
who are then required to also be members of the Scout Association.
Training in caving techniques, leadership and assessment of caving qualifications is given by caving team instructors.
If you are interested in gaining a Caving Activity Leadership qualification, please contact the
B.A.L. Caving, Tony Watson on AH 9704 7750. You need to be at least 18 years old to hold a qualification.
The minimum expected commitment for Caving Team members is to attend 3 weekend caving trips per year.
You can join the Caving Team and continue inolvement with your existing Group,
or you can become a dedicated Caving Activity Leader and transfer your Scout membership to the team.
We are always looking for new and enthusiastic leaders, so why not give caving a go?
The current Booking Officer is listed under
Caving in the Victorian Info Book.
The bookings for 2010 opened on 1st October 2009. Quite often all the trips
for a year have all been booked out by March, so plan next years caving activity well
in advance and book before Christmas. Occasionally we have cancellations, so you
could put yourself on the team's "stand-by list".
LDCT changed its name to VSCT (Victorian Scout Caving Team) in early 2002.
The leaders and team members are the mostly same friendly and eager caving people
who you have known in LDCT!
The Branch Activities Council provides caving as an adventurous activity for Scouts, Venturers, Rovers and
Leaders. Caving is not recommended as a programmed activity for members of the Joey Scout or Cub Scout
Sections. For them, access to commercially operated tourist caves is recommended.
For Scout Troops, a special program of caving weekends is conducted two or three times per year, to provide an
opportunity for Scouts to qualify for their "Caving" activity badge.
Caving guidelines have been developed by the Branch Activity Council in recognition of the potential
dangers involved in this activity. These are designed to include all statutory requirements and to minimise
risks, both to the persons undertaking the activity and also to the delicate cave environment.
All caving activities are required to be supervised by a Caving Guide or Caving Instructor accredited
by the Branch Activity Leader (Caving).
Training in caving activity leadership and technical skills is provided by the Caving Team. Inquiries
are welcomed from Section Leaders, Rovers and Venturers.
For details of training days or general Caving inquiries, Caving trips are generally run on the second weekend of each month from February to October. The
location will be either Buchan, Mount Eccles or Portland. These caving areas are all about 4 or 5 hours
drive from Melbourne. Trips may also be run at other times by special arrangement, such as additional
weekend trips for Rovers, or day trips to a few caves closer to Melbourne.
The weekend activities are for both novice and experienced cavers. No previous Caving or abseiling experience is
necessary. Trip Leader will select suitable caves based on the capabilities of those involved. Caving activities
at Buchan and Mount Eccles involve camping on the Friday and Saturday nights, so those attending must provide
their own transport, tents, food and cooking gear. Caving activities at Portland make use of a Scout hall for
accommodation.
For VENTURERS, about one month in advance of the caving trip, team members will come to your Scout hall
and give an orientation talk on various aspects of the trip, including what to bring and what to expect.
For SCOUTS, Written instructions and maps are sent to each Troop attending a Caving Trip. There is also an
instruction letter setting out the pre-trip knowledge needed to earn the Scout Caving Badge.
Cost:The cost for a weekend, includes camping fees and the use of caving equipment and helmets. For current
details of cost, contact our booking officers. (see below.) Requirements: For Venturers & Rovers; Bookings for 2010 opened on 1st October 2009 and the venue for each month's activity has
already been arranged with landholders.
Early bookings are recommended - An advance booking deposit is required.
VSCT Home Page: For more information including a full calendar of events, visit http://home.pacific.net.au/~gnb/ldct/
The Caving Team Home Page can also be accessed via the Scouts Victoria web site
http://www.vicscouts.asn.au/.
Click on the "Activities" menu, then select "Caving".
QUALIFICATIONS: Caving Leaders must first be accredited by the Victorian BAL (Caving) - Tony Watson
phone 9704 7750, email The Caving Leader should also be either -
RATIOS: Minimum of 1 experienced Cave Leader per 5 Participants.
LIMITATIONS: Caving is not recommended for Joey Scout or Cub Scout
sections (commercial tourist caves excepted). To the extent to which members of the Scout section
may engage in caving must not exceed the specific requirements for achievement of
the Scout Caving proficiency badge requirements.When are trips run?
Where can we go?
Trips are available to several caving areas in Victoria. We are lucky because
there is a great variety of caving environments in our state. You can go to:
The caving team has already planned where it is going each month, so if you want to go
to a particular area then your choice will be limited to certain months.
How do we prepare for a trip?
Is caving dangerous?
What about claustrophobia? (Fear of confined spaces)
Can we take photographs?
Most definitely! Bring your camera with you, anything from a disposable camera to an
expensive SLR unit. Bring a case or bag to protect the camera from dust or bumping on
rocks and take home some great caving photos.
Can the trips be used for awards and investitures?
Can I join the caving team?
How do we book a caving trip?
How early do we need to book?
What happened to LDCT (Lillydale Disctrict Caving Team)?
Leaders:
Consider a caving trip in
your next Troop / Unit / Crew
programme
Victorian Info Book 2010 entry for Caving
Provided by Tony Watson - BAL Caving.
Caving
Contact: Tony Watson, BAL - Caving, on 9704 7750 (AH)
VICTORIAN SCOUT CAVING TEAM
Note: the cost is kept to a minimum, but varies for the different venues due to camping fees.
(approx $25 per Scout and $45 per Venturer )
All Venturers and Scouts MUST be accompanied by their Leaders.
2010 Contact for inquiries, trip arrangements and bookings:
Jenny Watson, - 14 Glendale Crescent - BERWICK 3806
(H) 9704 7750 - e-mail: 
For Scouts;
Ian Barnard - 47 Manning Blvd. - DARLEY 3340
(H) 5367 5850 - e-mail: 
CHECK LIST FOR GROUP LEADERS AUTHORISING A CAVING ACTIVITY:
for any assistance or information.
a Member of the Australian Speleological Federation.
Designed by Glenn Baddeley, Erica Baddeley and Brett Wakeman.
http://home.pacific.net.au/~gnb/ldct/faq.html was last updated 1st November 2009.
Report problems and send comments to Glenn Baddeley.
Copyright © Victorian Scout Caving Team 2009.