Summer Camp

Summer Camp is the longer camp of the year often in May half term for 4 or more nights.

2010

Summer Camp 2010 Thriftwood

Well it started out wet, as usual for all my camps! We managed to get the mess tent up quite quickly, and luckily left the food in my car. We had a dry space to eat our packed lunches and then went off to our first activity, the sky walk. This was a walk along a telegraph pole (which was wet!) seven meters in the air. Half way along you had to stop and come down. This you could do by either keeping your body rigid falling back with your feet still on the pole until you were upside down, or you could kneel down, hug the pole and then slide underneath it. Either way once you were free of the pole the instructors “ dropped “ you so you free fell for a few meters! We returned to site, still raining, to find the squirrels had helped themselves to the remains of our packed lunches. The food was going to stay locked in my car! It stopped raining by about 7.30 and we had a great supper of salmon. Potatoes, peas, carrots and parsley sauce. The boys then familiarised themselves with the rest of the site, discovering the lake the tuck shop and the mosquitoes!

Next day was beautiful and sunny. We had a double session booked on the ice wall. This is a vertical wall made out of polystyrene and to climb it you need to use ice axes and special shoes with toe spikes. It proved incredibly tough, and only Ben F, with fantastic determination, managed to do it the first time. Eamonn determined not to be defeated managed it on his second attempt.

In the afternoon we had zorbing and canoeing. Zorbing involved climbing into a huge plastic ball which was then rolled onto the water. I now know what it feels like to be a hamster! Impossible to stand up in or control. The canoeing was fun because by now we were all very hot and it was lovely to have an excuse to get wet. Terrapins were spotted in the lake and hunted, canoes were to be capsized, especially if Jess was in them. Joshua loved the water so much he decided to drink it.

That evening Graeme built a lovely camp fire and we all sat around singing songs and doing skits. Graeme had a great repertoire of songs, some a little saucy! The scouts all did lovely skits, James B fantastically imitating a lot of us!

The next day was hot again (couldn’t believe my luck!) We had pedal car racing in the morning which proved more exciting, and dangerous, than it sounds. The boys were put into five teams and pedalled like mad around a race track. Wipe outs and cornering on two wheels were common place, Tim opting for the “slow and steady wins the race” lost every race! We then did archery with some pretty powerful bows, a few bulls eyes but a lot of wild shots ! We then did the cube maze. This is a cube about 4 x 4 x4 meters with 4 storeys of tunnels in it. You had to go in at one point on your hands and knees and crawl around the maze until you could find your way out, all in the dark. The first time the boys went in pairs and with torches. It took on average 15 minutes for them to find their way out. The second time they were only allowed in by themselves without any light! Sam F got the record in 1 ½ minutes! Being very hot and dusty from this activity we all came back via the lake and “fell in” again.

That night Adam, Jess, Eamonn, Daniel, and Tom all made bivouacs and spent the night in them. This was for their chief scout silver award. They were joined by 500 large mosquitoes!

Our last day was even hotter. We rebooked the go carts as it was such fun and did a different course. I even had a go this time! Then with much encouragement we started to strike camp. This was interrupted by frequent games of football, trips to the loo, trips to the shop, and just trips! (well done Charlie)

It was great and successful camp. All the boys behaved well and joined in with the activities. It was made extra special by the help of Graeme who was happy to be “bundled” by the boys with a 1 v 15 rugby game! Something I have never done with the boys!

Thank you so much to the volunteer parents who did the runs to and from the camp and to Trefor who drove the van.

A very special thank you to Graeme, who made the camp possible! Also for his great counselling skills!

Quotes of the camp

'Can't have a shower I have no hair gel' (James B)

'Why do we have to wash up?'

'I need counselling'

'Why would people want to touch your ankle' (conversation about Victorians)

'Can I borrow your pen knife'

'And his name was Nobby All'

'Can I go to the offy'

'Tastes like mineral water'

'Tim have you ever dreamt about ....' (Daniel to Tim had to be censored!)

'There’s the terrapin'

'I really should cook more at home'

Wish we had one of these stoves at home (Olly’s continued fascination with matches)

Quote of the week

I am really pleased with myself

William in response to his taking part in the activities that he has never dared to do in the past. Well done William.

Jane