PAW

Post date: May 10, 2010 6:34:41 PM

Well it was the camp of the four seasons!

Friday at 5 driving through the rain to Tolmers it didn't look good. however by 7.00 it cleared and we pitched all the tents with the help of Paul and Eddie in the dry. We snuggled into our sleeping bags by 11.30 and despite some noisy scouts did get some sleep before the sun and the birds woke us at 5. A hearty breakfast of sausages, fried bread, beans and prunes saw the boys on their first session in the sun. there were a lot more activities than there have been in the past, and a lot more girls! They all came back to camp for lunch and decided to have a water fight with the guides. (or was it just a chance to get the girls t shirts wet?) They all went off in the afternoon sun to the afternoon activity session. by teatime it had started to rain but we settled into our mess tents making our vegetable curry and wondering how much curry powder would be too much! The rain continued and the mud was getting thicker. The outdoor fun fair was looking less fun but the boys had a bop at the disco. We then had a severe weather warning overnight for heavy rain and flash flooding. I should now explain to you that we were camped at the bottom of a hill 15 metres from a dry river bed. we zipped the boys tightly into their tents and told them not to touch the sides of the tent. It then started to rain quite heavily, and all night (you may not have been aware of this at home but rain is noisy and it was all night) Rain before 7 stop by 11 did not apply on sunday. However we woke up all dry, unlike many troops who got soaked through and had to send out for more sleeping bags! The river was now 4 feet deep and flowing fast and every scout wanted to play in it. Because of the rain many of the bases were closed and at this point a lot of scout groups decided to call it a day and packed up. Resourceful 1st Radlett however decided to buy up the tuck shop, kidnap a few guides and zip themselves into their warm dry tents and play cards. At 1.00 I went and asked if any of the boys wanted to go home because of the weather. only a couple wanted to. By 3 most of the bases were open again and the boys went out and got muddy! Sunday evening after supper of chilli the boys all went and watched a film. The temperature suddenly dropped and after warming themselves around the gas lamp jumped into bed fully clothed. Monday morning we had sunny spells, rain and hail so we brought home wet tents!

During the weekend we adopted a lost soul from another troop who missed his mum and had latched onto me. he spent quite a bit of time in our mess tent and our boys were so good with him. They chatted to him offered food and drink and invited him to spend the afternoon with them on activities. I was so proud of them all well done boys.

Despite all this weather the boys all had great fun. camping can be tough at the best of times but tougher when wet. i know you were all at home worried about your boys. You didn't need to. It is really important to be outside of your comfort zone occasionally just so you can appreciate what you have. this is what scouting is all about.

Quote of the weekend from Robbie

when asked if they wanted to go home he said " I don't get to camp very often, can I stay please"

This is what makes it all worth the hassle. Any volunteers to carry on the scouts?

Scout of the weekend goes to Peter for running a tight ship in his patrol, for trying a few more activities than last year and for eating a prune!

Jane