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Six groups of scouts completed a nocturnal hike from the Stanstead Abbotts HQ, navigating four different routes of about 10k in length and supported by 12 parents and leaders – that's about 250 person-miles covered. The scouts pitched their tents in darkness and then congregated around the blazing campfire whilst eating biscuits and hot chocolate. Many were weary from their trek and headed off to bed, the stragglers were eventually persuaded to take to their tents around midnight. Just as well, since many were up at 5.30am getting the fire stoked up ready for cooking breakfast and lunch.
Flag break at 8am saw the patrols being organised with Henry, Grace, Oliver K and Clare doing a fine job of organising their ever-growing patrols, with Jenny, Lenny, Nathan and Rosie as support. Breakfast comprised of porridge (not too popular with some) and home made dough twizzlers cooked on the open fire and dipped in butter (very popular with all!). After breakfast the patrols completed a number of team challenges including 'billy in a billy', the 'blue pipe challenge' and the ever popular 'Ballisters' (a sort of medieval catapult device) hurling flour bombs at the opposing team. (see the Gallery for lots of explanatory photos)
Potatoes had been prepared earlier in the day with a splash, stab and wrap and were cooked beautifully on the embers of the fire and were enjoyed by all with lashing of cheese and butter and just a hint of smoke. The backup Cuppa-soup really weren't needed, such was the success of the open fire and jacket spuds. The lemon cup cakes and marshmallows did, however go down a treat. Fortunately the scouts had carefully strewn Harribos across the campsite to lure the wild marshmallows to their toasty demise. To complete their Creative Challenge the scouts then had to entertain the troop with stories of their adventures the night before- some were certainly more creative than others!
Some well-earned free time allowed the scouts to build a den, climb trees, whittle, make rope swings or just laze about in the warm sunshine. All too soon the scouts were called back to the fire-circle for presentation of the Creative Challenge Badges and the Queens Diamond Jubilee Badge Henry also earned his 50 nights away badge, a significant achievement. Finally, as a fitting culmination of a fantastic camp with such brilliant scouts, we were pleased to welcome Millie and Hannah formally into the troop with their Investiture around the camp fire.
Huge thanks to so many people who helped accompany the Scouts as they walked and to the Camp and catering crew.
Leaders: Neil, Paul Silver, Paul Stretch , Alastair H, Alan, Keith M, Elaine, Clare, David & Bethan
Parents : Andy G, Anton, Tony + Mick K, Gary B
Explorer Scout: Jess |
