With COVID19 lockdown memories fading, although still evident cautious guidance by TSA, the leaders agreed to keep this year’s summer camp close and easily manageable for all concerned. Hence when one of our local campsites Thriftwood advertised it’s set week’s summer camp with all the camping, activities plus day out to an adventure park, it seemed ideal for all concerned.
Saturday 6th August
The leaders with the hire van advance party, arrived at pitch 9/10 which was going to be our home for the week. Two small wooded clearings which seemed spacious, where both quickly filled with bodies, canvas and equipment over the next few hours with all of our participants joining in pitching camp. With the kitchen set up the first evening meal befitting a scout camp of sausage, mash and beans was only just finished prior to the start of the opening ceremony which was being held on the archery field. The site crew had transformed the archery stand and field into the evening entertainment centre for the week. All 15 groups comprising of 300 Scouts and Guides entered waving their flags and joining in the celebrations for the next 2 hours. And as with all good nights on camp followed by Hot Chocolate and cake back in the marquee prior to bed.
Sunday 7th August
Breakfast – Paul’s world-famous porridge (porridge being world famous, not Paul!) followed by bacon sandwiches.
Morning – Orienteering course as to familiarise all with the camp site, Cordage making of natural materials to make and secure items naturally and then cooking of pigeon or bread twist/dampers for those who preferred.
Lunch – As a set theme for all lunches: sandwich, fruit and biscuits were well received as was the blackcurrant and orange squash with some preferring just water, and others mixing a combination of all three making jungle juice!
Afternoon – Water purification by the lake, whittling with knives and then different ways to ignite a fire.
Dinner – Chicken chasseur with rosemary roast potatoes
Evening – A wide game finding the site crew members hiding in the woods making different animal noises and touches.
Monday 8th August
Breakfast – Cereals, Porridge followed by fried egg sandwiches.
Morning – Hydro Zone – All and everyone down to Sapper Lake for 3 hours of all things water: Kayaking canoeing, water rollers, SUPd, Giant Slide, Bouncy Castles, Washing machine, Slip’n’Slide, Hungry Hippos, Bungee run and coracles.
Afternoon – The Chariot competition was held on the main activity fields of site 21/22 with every group submitting at least one entry and competing in time trials in the arena. Not to the valiant efforts of our competitors or the shouts of support from the group, it was a fact that we came third to a cardboard box with three broom handles and the guides athletics running team!
Dinner – Spaghetti Bolognese
Evening – Lip Sync Battle – From the shy and retiring, shrinking violets that our scouts are where seemed to transformed in to mic hungry show biz enthusiastic creatures by the end of the evening.
Tuesday 9th August
Breakfast – Even more porridge being requested with less cereals along with sausage sandwiches
Morning – Environmental Zone: Woody Walk, Challenge, Seed Bombs, Kites, Solar Ovens, Bat Boxes
Afternoon – Challenge – in teams of up to six completing various challenges as set by the service crew located trough the 98 acres of wood land.
Dinner – Curry Night, a choice of mild Korma, tantalising Tikka-Masala or the leaders’ favourite beef Madras with rice, bread and chutneys (why is it that we always have Korma left overs and never any of the Madras?)
Evening – Fancy Dress Disco accompanied by Captain Hook, Danny Zuko from Grease, Janet Leigh, Princes Leia, Luke Skywalker, Centurion, Mario & Luigi (I have an inclination that the last two lied about their ages, concerning dress as a film character of your birth decade!)
Wednesday 10th August
Breakfast – early start of cereals and bread & jam, along with an assembled packed lunch.
All Day – Southend, Adventure Island – ? Did anyone manage to get on all the rides?
Dinner – Chip night from the local takeaway
Evening – Film Night – The Goonies: What a film! Adventure, Pirates, Hidden Treasure, Bunch of kids against adversities. Who doesn’t like ‘The Goonies’?
Thursday 11th August
Breakfast – Cereals followed by Beans on Toast (Don’t worry there was a porridge option).
Morning – Rise Zone: Climbing, Abseiling, Jacob’s ladder, Crate stacking, Sky hi walk, Vertical assault course, Leap of faith, Potsman’s walk, Zip-line & Assault course.
Afternoon – Tie Dying, Paracord, Glass Etching, Memory Wall, Pyrography and Armpit Fudge.
Dinner – Ready Steady Cook – Fajitas, sweetcorn & potatoes wedges
Evening – TW’s got Talent – Too many entries this time, they had to extend the session. Congratulation to Dilan for his award-winning rendition of La Bamba in Spanish! Along with a small side note of the 5th winning team in the leader’s quiz night.
Friday 12th August
Breakfast – Cereals, followed by Eggy Bread.
Nb: Porridge (has become really popular, with 1.5kg of oats being prepared each morning)
Morning – Target Zone: Archery, Cross-Bows, Nerf Guns, Laser Clays, Axe Throwing, Cats-Splat, Speedshot, Air-Rifles, Clout Archery
Afternoon – Carnival and fun time: For the first hour all folk on the activity field running charity stalls charging 10p for Thriftwood partnered charity. With 5th providing a human fruit machine, splat a rat, and chariot rides.
Followed by all camp site activities open for have a final go session, so that anyone could get a go if they missed out, or another go if they enjoyed it the first time.
Evening – Camp Fire / Closing Ceremony
Saturday 13th August
Breakfast – Cereals, along with bread and jam.
Morning – Strike Camp and go home…
Afternoon – Wondering where did that week go? Why wouldn’t we book again for next year?
Happy Camping
Paul Boreham
Group Scout Leader