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The Head of the River Camp is an annual Shoalhaven Scout Family Camp. The emphasis is on a very laid back social weekend of fun and novelty activities involving the whole family.
The camp starts on Friday evening and runs until Sunday early afternoon. You can come for both nights, 1 night or just during the day. Join in the events or just hang around and enjoy the atmosphere and company.
You can choose whether you bring a tent or caravan or any other form of camping apparatus. If you don’t have any of the above, beg borrow or steal them from a friend, neighbor or your Scout group.
There are canoe races from The Hampden Bridge in Kangaroo Valley down the river to Bendeela
(about 6km) on Saturday and Sunday mornings for Scouts, Venturers and adults, as well as some fun races Saturday afternoon round markers at Bendeela. While there are always the paddlers who want to win, there are also lots of family paddlers out for a leisurely dawdle with friends. Prior to each race there will be an assessment to determine if races will run based on river level (flow) and having enough safety staff.
Rob Halley will again be running the Carp fishing competition with prizes for the biggest fish caught, the most fish caught and other random participant prizes. Bring your fishing rod or line and a tin of corn kernels (the best bait for Carp) and win yourself a prize. Don’t forget that you will only require a fishing license if you are over 18 years of age. Parents can assist children without the need for a license, but cannot hold the line or rod.
There are small prizes for the various races. A trophy for the overall weekend winning
Shoalhaven Group with points being gained for participation, 1 st to 5 th places of each major
race and from the fishing comp.
Bendeela is a Sydney Water camping area on the Kangaroo River arm of the Tallowa Dam. To get there you should travel through Kangaroo Valley Township from Nowra and over the Hamden
Bridge. About 400 metres past the bridge turn left at the sign and travel another 3.8km before turning left again at another sign. Follow the road a further 2.2km down to the sharp left turn at the bottom of the hill. We will be down there somewhere. There are two sections of the camp area so if you can’t find your group in the first section, try the second.
Unfortunately there are no fires allowed at the Bendeela campsite, but some groups will probably take their scout barbecue as well as a large dining fly for the group to use. All families are welcome to come and participate in the activities for all ages if they wish.
Each group is responsible for the organisation of canoes and life jackets for their own scouts etc.
This is a “Family” camp, so no permission notes are required to camp however, a note will be required (adults and youth) to use the Scout Canoes at any time or to participate in any of the planned scout activities. E1 forms for participants are to be managed and held by the groups. Only one note is required per person for the all weekend activities.
Remember, encourage your group’s families to start planning for this weekend now. If you require more information about this great event, talk to your groups Leaders or give me a ring and I will do my best to answer your questions.
Steve Phelps 0439625018

To participate / enter in any event over the weekend or to utilise scout craft each participant must have submitted a signed activity note (E1 forms) to their group. These will be available on the weekend and must be submitted to your group Leader prior to race start.
PFDs (life jackets) must be worn by anyone using a Scout Canoe / Kayak.
After each race paddles and PFD are to be returned to applicable groups – Don’t leave them unattended with canoe down near the waters edge.
Runs from dawn Saturday until 11:30am Sunday
– register prior to fishing. Canoes can only be used during daylight hours. Weigh in Sat 12pm to 9pm and Sun 8am to 11:30am with prizes for the largest fish caught & the most fish caught plus some random participation prizes.
An experienced member or fisheries officer will give a brief talk & answer your questions relating to fishing in NSW & may give tips on catching that big carp.
8:30-9:30am Registration for Race, brief at Start for all participants
**You need to leave Bendeela by 9:45am to make it to the start of these races.
10.30 am
10.30 am
2 man Canadian Canoe – Venturer Canoe
2 man Canadian Canoe
– Adult race 18+ Canoe
10.33 am
10.35 am
1 man Scout Kayak Race
2 man Canadian Canoe – Parent Child races (if canoes available)
No need to register for this, just turn up (note times are approx & maybe slightly earlier or later). No previous canoeing experience needed.
2.00pm Joey or Cub age and Parent Canoe Race – single paddles
2.15pm Cub Canoe Race – single paddles
2.30pm Scout Sprint Race
– single paddles
2:45pm Venturer Sprint Races – single paddles
3:00pm Pick Up Sticks – Open to all (Child / parents – max 3 per canoe)
3:15pm Group Relay (2 x Cub age, 2 x Scout age, 2 x Others)
4:00pm approx Family (3 persons / canoe) Umbrella Canadian Canoe . Marker Buoy Circuit
Race (Max two paddlers, third member to hold an opened rain umbrella).
8:15-9am Registration for Race, brief at Start for all participants
**You need to leave Bendeela by 9:15am to make it to the start of these races.
10.00am
10.00am
10.05 am
10.10 am
1 man Venturers Kayak Race
Open Kayak Race (Venturers & over 18’s) age
2 man Canadian Canoe
– Scout age
2 man Canadian Canoe – Parent Child 2 (if canoes available)

Participants of all events must have completed a signed permission (Activity) note and be wearing enclosed footwear and approved PFD (lifejacket). Activity E1 notes are to be held by your groups Leader on the weekend (if you have no Leader, then hand into registration)
- Registration 1 hour prior to event is required for the Hampden Bridge to Bendeela Races.
- Canoes should have a bailer and spare paddle. Either double or single paddles may be used.
- Youth kayakers must have previous kayak experience (including practice capsizing) and be recommended by their Leader or Parent. Final decision is up to the organisers.
- Canoe participants must have some previous canoeing experience and confident to paddle approx 6km.
- Parent / Child race is for Cubs or inexperienced Scouts to join parent.
- There will be small prizes for 1 st 2 nd & 3 rd .
Race across the river to collect a clothes peg from a rope on the opposite bank. First team back with a peg handed to the “judge” will be the winner. Single paddles only are to be used. Only 1 adult per canoe for the Adult Cub/Joey race.
Go fast, as per instructions on the day.
Placed in the water will be heaps of small sticks/matches. Your team will start at the bank - no paddles will be used. The team who collects the most sticks will win (you may have two or three people per canoe). Sunken canoes will be disqualified.
Each Team (of 6 people; consisting of at least 2 Joey/cub & 2 scout age team mates) will be required to paddle across the river (two at a time)
First team will have no paddles and will collect one on the opposite bank then return.
Second Team will have one paddle and collect the second on the opposite bank then return.
Third Team are to collect an item (TBA) from the opposite bank then return.
Family (3 persons / canoe) Umbrella Canadian Canoe
Marker Buoy Circuit Race (Max two paddlers, third member to hold an opened rain umbrella).
Two of the 3 participants must be from the same family in most cases.
Don’t forget to bring an umbrella.
** No Registration is required for these races. Prizes for short course races will be little treats at the time.