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

The District Lightweight Camping Competition invites teams from the area to hike and camp for two days and nights walking from Ware to Gilwell Park - the HQ of world Scouting in Essex - some 15 miles away.

Carrying all their kit, food and cooking equipment the teams have to navigate, using maps and compasses, to various checkpoints along the route before setting up camp each night.  Points are awarded for completing each part of the event and for completing various tasks along the way, including pitching tents, camp tidiness, menus, cooking, behaviour and clearing up afterwards, of course.

The competition started on the Friday night with tents pitched at the Great Amwell Scouts HQ in Ware. Rosie celebrated her birthday the next morning with delicious Danish Pastries and Hot Chocolate before the competition started in earnest at 8am. Rumour has it, a Birthday Cake appeared at some point during the day - cunningly delivered along the route!

The teams packed up and set off for Cheshunt along footpaths, arriving at the Herts Young Mariners Base early afternoon. The teams were then set various tasks and challenges before cooking their supper on trangias. Marks were awarded for the meal which had to be lightweight but tasty and nutritious. The Tiger Patrol cooked:-

Pasta Ragu Avec Tuna

Dream Meringue Surprise

Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows

The Scouts and Guides were then tested on their firelighting skills and banana & chocolate cooking abilities before telling some fireside stories before lights out.

After a marked cooked breakfast on the Sunday morning, the teams then packed up once again and set off for Gilwell Park.

Both teams arrived at Gilwell in good time and were delighted with their weekend.

The Bulldog Patrol came 3rd with Tiger Patrol coming 9th out of 13 Scout Teams!  

Well done to everyone!