1st Stanstead Abbotts and St. Margaret's Scout Group

The scouts travelled by minibus and set-up camp during the evening of 23^rd August. Monday morning started with a creative breakfast challenge where the scouts showed off their culinary skills with such camp favourites as eggy-bread before setting out on a demanding site-wide Orienteering exercise. As the sun was shining the troop then headed for the beach where much tumbling and body surfing was done in the waves. Eventually the scouts were persuaded to leave the water and returned to camp to cook spaghetti bolognaise before retiring around a campfire.

Tuesday started with a full ‘fry-up’ cooked by the scouts and include a trip to Lepe Country Park where a Ranger explained the coastal creatures to be found and the scouts searched the shoreline for interesting sea creatures including crabs, slipper limpets and starfish. The day also included a visit to Calshot Castle and to discover the history of the Flying Boat ‘port’.

On Wednesday the patrols competed on the Adventure assault-course and went for a bike ride before attempting the high rope challenge of ‘crate-stacking’ where skill and courage are required to build a stack of crates as high as possible whilst actually standing on them. Fortunately all are harnessed for safety, as the fall from 14 or so crates is considerable! After a curry cooked by the scouts the day concluded with a Volleyball challenge until dusk, at which point the campfire was more alluring.

The next day proved a real highlight with scouts and leaders alike hurling themselves down the mega-zipwire before building an impressive gateway to their site as part of the pioneering exercise. An evening hike followed until dusk when the leaders laid on a very much-appreciated sausage ‘n mash dinner followed by traditional songs around the campfire.

All too quickly Friday was upon us and a trip to the beach was in order followed by swimming and much screaming at the splashdown water park. Famous fish and chips were then enjoyed on the beach before a game of Laser Quasar ending with a firework finale across the bay.

Ten very happy and very exhausted scouts returned to the campsite at about 11.30pm for a few hours sleep before the big pack-up Saturday morning.

Leaving the New Forest at 12.30pm on Saturday the scouts were re-united with their parents at 4pm back in Hertfordshire.