Friday evening was perfect camping weather. Dry, warm, sunny with a light breeze. Tents were pitched easily and everyone was happy and excited. Cubs and Scouts played in the woods, settled into tents and gathered wood for the fire that we got going straight away. Cream of chicken and cream of tomato soup with chunks of crusty French bread for supper followed by wide games in the woods with torches. Then sitting round the fire for a while before bed. Apparently, ghost stories were told by torchlight in the tents but Leaders weren't privy to these for obvious reasons - shame!
Saturday started lovely and sunny but by mid morning the rain started and then rarely stopped. It didn't spoil anyone's enjoyment though. It was a novelty being allowed to play out in the rain and we carried on the planned activities despite it. All the district campers got together for an opening ceremony festooned with costumes, flags and mascots. We were Italy and had a huge flag and our huge rabbit, Luigi who was kitted out with an Italy football jacket. We also had a pennant each. The other Groups were America, Jamaica and England. We split into teams and made our way round the different countries to engage in activities ranging from physical challenges to craftwork. Italy, (that's us) did Pizza darts, a huge Spider's web challenge, hockey and bungee running. After lunch we continued on from the morning but then regrouped in our own site. Our children played in the woods and spent hour upon hour finding long sticks to hold in the fire. Beavers had a great time with us and didn't want to go home. James made us laugh when he got covered in mud and said he was a Mud Warrior and that his socks used to be white! Tea today was Spag Bol, made from scratch with fresh ingredients. One of the Cubs couldn't understand how Shere Khan could have made it without a microwave! This was followed by buns homebaked by our Wombwell Scouting friend Denise, who helped us out over the weekend. Then Beavers and Cubs had a small campfire singsong with hot chocolate afterwards before parents started arriving to take them home.
Sunday was a lovely day albeit a bit breezy - a godsend though as it dried the tents out. Six thirty (a.m.) saw some Leaders enjoying a cup of tea whilst chatting to a benchful of Cubs also enjoying the first cup of tea of the day. Danny said he loved playing in the rain and hopes it rains every day next camp! We had a Scouts Own service in the camp chapel where our District Commissioner said Thankyou to the kids for being them. he said that if we believed all we heard in the media we would think that all kids were out to harm us, take drugs etc. Scouting reminds us that there are some great kids out there and as Leaders we recognise that we are lucky to be working with them. Some of the campers joined in a Scavenger Hunt but others stoked up the fire and just chilled with each other. Nothing organised, nothing timed or planned. Just chillaxing with their mates and putting an odd stick on the fire here and there. After a picnic lunch we all joined in a wide game in the woods before a closing ceremony.
Thanks to all the parents who helped on Friday evening with the tents and unloading - very much appreciated. A special thanks must go to John who helped out over the weekend. He does an awful lot of work in the background that enables Leaders to be with the children and never stops from very early in the morning to making the hot chocolate before bed. Thanks John. Also, thanks a lot guys to Ian, Akela, Shere Khan, Ed, Sara, Chil and Lauren for all their hard work too. We make a great team with John (and Steve next camp).
Finally, I'd just like to say that we have some lovely children in our Group. Kind, funny, helpful, well mannered and a real delight. Many people tell me that I must be mad giving up so much time for Scouting but they don't know what they are missing. Can't wait for 19th July! See you at the parents meeting tomorrow.
Kim xx
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