I guess one way would be to reproduce a comment overheard in response to a parent’s question having just arrived back at Saltdean after camp ...........
"fantastic .... we had a really great time"
With this endorsement in mind, I would like to give my personal thanks to everyone who made the camp a success.
That goes firstly to the scouts. Their enthusiasm, co-operation and their overall good spirits made it a pleasure to be there.
Secondly, all the parents for their help in ensuring the lads came and had all their kit.....
The inspection before we left was by far the best that I have seen, I can’t remember if there was anything forgotten off the kit list at all?! Not forgetting all those kind parents that helped us to get the stores unloaded after camp back at Saltdean.
Thirdly, the adult team, including those who worked in the background like Dave Mallion, ensuring the minibus was available, Simon Bartley and Stuart Passingham who transported the bulk of the stores and kit to and from site, Colin Prout for looking after and issuing the stores, and finally those with me at Pinsent, David Oxley, Nigel Olliff, Dick Ruck, Pat & Tony Thornton.
Well the weather was really kind to us. Apart from driving the last part and arriving in heavy rain, a couple of wet nights and light rain on one morning, we had sun all the way. This helped to ensure we kept to the programme as far as possible.
The programme was a full one, too full to cover it all now so I have picked out some of the key parts and highlights.
As far as possible we based the activities around the camp theme of STAR TREK, and unlike previous years where we have mixed up the regular patrols worked in throughout the year, we kept the boys in their current patrols, taking full benefit of the individual patrol sites Pinsent can offer.
The reasoning behind this was to see if the camp would benefit from the close working relationships and team spirit built up in the preceding months. The conclusion of this is very clear, and is reflected in the visiting District Commissioners report at the end.
On the Friday evening Tony insisted that the leadership team had to be the Ferengie as they were the meanest, and the most unscrupulous and devious aliens in Star Trek. I wasn’t sure what he was getting at! The remaining alien names were allocated out to the patrols- Vulcans, Cardasians, Klingons, Romulans & The Borg. With the points system in place the camp was now well and truly underway.
After kit inspection and the evenings’ games and activities we turned in, in preparation for the early load-up and start in the morning.
Saturday on arrival, as mentioned above coincided with a very heavy downpour. Luckily by the time we got to the point of putting up the patrol tents the rain had virtually stopped. The remainder of the day was taken up with setting up camp, exploring the site and a site/journey quiz.
Sunday saw the first of the voluntary projects with an excellent "Scouts Own". This was an ambitious undertaking that proved to be very well run, setting a very high standard of project for all to follow. Some camp gadgets were started on the Sunday, but very few actually got finished until the very end of the camp. Perhaps as a learning point for the leader team we could have an evening or two making some gadgets on the troop nights leading up to next years camp?.
Monday was spent mostly off site in the local woods, with an orienteering exercise and some excellent new wide games run by Dick.
Tuesday gave everyone a chance to get cleaned up by going swimming. I’m sure the local pool in Winchester had to be closed down the following day to have all the filters cleaned out!!
In amongst all this activity Pat and I were being kept fairly busy with First aid dealing with the usual camp minor cuts and scratches. However one person (Karl! not to mention anyone in particular) may like to remember for next year .... It’s the wooden stick that you whittle and carve, not your finger, as this can become a little painful if you keep on doing it!.
Wednesday saw the troop split into 3 groups for the day hikes.
That evening was nicely rounded off by an excellent camp fire run by The Borg as part of their project work.
Thursday saw the morning rain and the trip into Southampton. This trip gives the troop a chance to stock up on sweets and burgers etc. as well as buy any gifts for their families. On the way back to site, the alien patrols are allowed to descend upon the local supermarket to purchase their "patrol choice" evening meal. This activity is carried out on a fairly tight budget of £3 per head. The resulting choice and quality of meals was excellent. Very well done!.
With Friday arriving it was getting close to the end of the camp and the points competition was hotting up with everyone still in with a chance of winning.
A pioneering project was undertaken in the morning as part of the patrol project work. This was for 2 teams working independently, to design and build a structure that when placed together from opposite banks of the (imaginary) river should be capable of transferring safely each team member to the opposite side. Once again this was carried out with skill, showing good leadership and communication, thereby achieving the task easily in the time allowed.
Later that day we also run a series of "bases" each with a different "team management" activity. These were also completed with a high degree of skill and enthusiasm.
That afternoon also saw the annual camp sports. With the patrols competing for the Camp Sports Shield. This is one trophy that attracts a very high degree of competitiveness and is always very hotly contested.
The sight of water filled balloons being hurtled through the air over huge distances without bursting over the catchers was something unbelievable. The eating of doughnuts whole, along with the final water-fight at the end, made this a very enjoyable and fun afternoon, resulting in a very popular win for the Vulcans.
Throughout the week, David Oxley and Nigel Olliff, ably demonstrated the traditional skills of building open fires. They both developed this activity from a fire suitable for everyday cooking to one with an extra large log or two, and by this point in the week whole wooden pallets were disappearing with ease. A fine Venture Scouting tradition upheld!.
Saturday, unfortunately, brought on the inevitable return home. After the final flag down and the breaking of camp, farewells were made to John Weeks the site Warden. However, before this there was the important task of awarding of the Camp Trophies.
Once again many thanks to everyone involved who made my first camp as Camp Leader a memorable and enjoyable one.
Here’s looking forward to next year.
Peter Brookshaw
Camp Leader
Return to the Home
Page
Return to the Hike & Camp Report Page