Water bed: Scouts brave winter chill in Ellendale Pool raft test

Geraldton’s linking and venturer scouts were given an unusual challenge for the first time last week — building a raft from scrap supplies to spend the night sleeping on. Seven scouts were split up into three groups and given four days to plan before they were dropped off at Ellendale Pool on July 11 for the challenge. Geraldton Venturers leader Tanya Skodlie said the scouts had a great time with the challenge, spending a full day building their makeshift sleeping spots from barrels, ropes, logs, and tarpaulins. “All three rafts were different in design but survived the chilly night,” she said. “It was a lesson in team building and they all did great to work together.” She said Ellendale Pool was chosen because of its still and safe waters and the scouts spent a successful, if cold, night floating. This was the first time scouts in the area had been set the challenge, Ms Skodlie said. Because of its success they are hoping to make it an annual event. “We’ve sent the challenge out to scouts in the South West too, to see if they could compete,” she said.