Left late, but arrived on time at Scout Camp, just after breakfast & before inspection. Met the Leaders I didn’t know, the ones I did, and some volunteers/parents. Lovely bunch, very welcoming.
Pioneering was fascinating. Seeing the various strategies and approaches to making Patrol flags (interesting choice of camp names), dressers & flagpoles.
Archery with Snakes & Ladders came next. That introduces a nice element of strategy & Patrol cheering.
🧵 1/
/2
Next up a new activity for everyone, and one afterwards everyone decided should definitely be done again. Cardboard Box Ovens.
Old cardboard boxes wrapped in aluminium foil with thick garden wire pushed through and on which the a baking tray sat. These were placed over hot embers take from the campfire, not directly on it. Each Patrol made 2 ovens & made a pizza per oven.
A scheduling switch was then made as the Leaders decided the Scouts needed/wanted something more chilled next.
/3
When I 1st read the Programme for Saturday I was like “they’re going to make an entire hat from paracord?!” It was actually 3 activities, a keyfob of a wee paracord human, a paracord water bottle holder & a plain white hat transformed by pens & solution to make a DIY tie dye design of their choice.
Food whilst I was there: Morning snack (fruit, muffins, biscuits), a centrally-provided wrap self-service buffet for lunch, & dinner was pasta, Swiss Roll & custard made by Scouts for themselves.
/4
After dinner/teatime was the rescheduled Field Games. There had been several options on the Programme. The Leaders opted for Rounders, which the adults played too. Patrols/adults were divided into 2 teams, a see-saw of a match which we won in the end.🏆 I didn’t get knocked out when I was batting. Bonus.
At various points the Young Leaders ran some games at the other end of the field. The YLs were excellent throughout, I was extremely impressed. 1 shared my name so I was ignoring it all day.😆
/5
Prep for songs/skits was an interesting watch from distance, the adults were all chatting & chilling at the mess tent or dealing with evening campfire prep with YLs.
The actual evening campfire was varied, the songs were mostly short, though one Patrol did much longer ones, clearly campfire classics.
/6
I’d witnessed the prep for the newest Scouts just prior & then saw their Investiture after the songs.
I did feel feel slightly awkward during this time as I didn’t know the songs at all or hadn’t heard them often enough to know the words to sing along when required, & was the only not in position to make Scout sign as my app’s just finishing up.
I hope someone explained my current status to Scouts at some point. I suppose that I didn’t bring my Group hoodie should be sufficient explanation.
/7
The starting of S’mores was the point I decided to leave. They were about an hour ahead of schedule, I’d guess, & I thought it was a natural point. So I said my goodbyes & took advantage of the lovely evening light before sunset so I didn’t have to use my lights to cycle home. Some of my route is long stretches of loose, differently sized gravel & it pays to be safe.
I enjoyed the various inspections & marking throughout & I’m curious which Patrol wins overall by end of final (partial) day.
/8
Final thoughts.
The Scouts were a fascinating mix of personalities. Their chat amongst themselves, to the Young Leaders & also the adults was interesting, and often hilarious. Their sense of humour, priorities, competitiveness and mischievousness was quite something to see. The Young Leaders were great with the Scouts and adults, acting as an in-between.
And I love that they are old enough for the likes of sarcasm. The dialogue/banter with the Leaders was a joy to witness.
/9
Final, final thoughts.
Seeing the Scout Section is an interesting contrast after Cubs. Obviously this is Camp rather than a standard Meeting so not a fair direct comparison, but I’m fairly sure the differences would remain.
I enjoyed learning about various things talking to the Leaders, and watching the Leaders at work. It was a lot of watching and absorbing, I didn’t get to do much else. I’d like to have helped more, but I wasn’t in a position to.
Looking forward to future camps now.
/End
CheekyMcB