Scout Camping and Cooking Competition and Explorer Expedition Preperation - 13th to 15th May 2011

There were 2 scouting activities on over this weekend;
For the Scouts (Aged between 10 and 13) there was the district camping and cooking competition.

Competing against other Scout groups from across the Barnsley district a team of 4 worked were judged 3rd in the Cooking section and a credible 2nd in the Camping Competition.  The challenge was to run a camp from scratch -  setting up from 7PM Friday evening, cooking their own meals until striking camp at 2PM on the Sunday afternoon.  All of this whilst having regular kit inspections and spot checks by the judges.

These Scouts did the group  proud, working very hard all weekend to keep the kitchen, the camp and fire all running, without input from any adults (apart from feedback from the Judges).  Well done lads!

4 Ardsley Scouts receiving their 2nd and 3rd places

2 Ardsley Scouts receiving tips about running a camp kitchen from one of the judges

Breakfast was another meal being judged in the cooking competition.  Ardsley making sausages, bacon and mushrooms for a sunny, breezy Sunday morning.

The four Scouts taking part over the weekend will each be awarded with two badges:

Camper Activity Badge

Camp Cook Activity Badge

The Explorer section enjoyed another weekend of expedition training, the worst of the weather was right at the start of the weekend on Friday evening, where they were dropped off at Oxspring and hiked to the camp site.  In preparation all the explorers had full back packs with everything they would need for a 2 day adventure.

Ardsley Eagle Explorer Unit in good spirits ready for their first walk of the weekend

Even though it was a very wet start, the Explorers were well prepared with good waterproof equipment and the weather did not beat them.

On Saturday the Explorers spent most of the day out of the camp on what should have been a 5 hour hike, after more than 8 hours they returned up to base camp.  Too many comfort breaks taken along the way was the reason why they were so late apparently...

Ardsley Eagle Explorers ready to depart on Saturday morning,
who knew it would be so long before they returned!

All in all in was a great weekend for Scouting across  Barnsley, whether you were a Scout, Explorer or a Leader.  The weather behaved itself better than initial forecasts predicted, so we were all glad of that. 

All of the pictures from this weekend are available at the following location:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30263703@N04/collections/72157626602181433/


Cheers

Ed.