News
We want your feedback
Tuesday 5th May 2018
Now that all our pirates are back on land our Marra Crew are really keen to gather some feedback on our 2018 event. They are quick and easy to fill in and your comments will help us shape future events.
Winners galore!
Tuesday 5th May 2018
We held various different competitions and events at Pirate Marra 2018. Here's the full list of winners.
Yamaha Music School
3rd Place – Tilly Aveyard – 1st/7th Whitley Bay
2nd Place - Gregor Macfarlane – 1st Shiremoor
1st Place – Joe Pickering – 1st Shiremoor
Pirate Flag Competition – Judged by Chief Marra
CUBS
3rd 3rd Tynemouth
2nd 1st CELL
1st 2nd Berwick Spittal
SCOUTS
3rd Stakeford Scouts
2nd 1st Cullercoats Guides
1st 25th Carlisle
Explorer Winners – Benton East
Day Visitor Winners – 1st Shiremoor
Pirate Boat Race Competition
Cub Winners – Spittal Scallywags
Scout Winners – 1st C.E.L.L
Explorer/Network winners – Fenham Explorers
Performance by the winner of Marra’s Got Talent
Joe from 1st Ponteland
Pirate Gateway Competition – Judged by Stephen Hogg
3rd 5th Whitley Bay
2nd 8th Blyth
1st Middleton-In-Teesdale
Thank You!
Tuesday 29th May 2018
Well the final volunteers have just left Causey Island after an incredible weekend of swashbuckling fun, challenge and adventure. Over 3000 Scouts and Guides from across Northumberland, the North East and the UK came together in unity for a incredible weekend taking part in over 116 different activities and events. We hope you all had an incredible weekend, tried lots of new things and made loads of new ship mates along the way.
A humongous thank you to absolutely everyone and anyone who helped make the event possible. No matter how big or small your role was, you've played a part in making incredible memories for so many young people that will stay with them forever. From the Management Team to Staff, Group Leaders to Parents - you are all superstars!
Don't be sad because it's over - smile because it happened! Here's the video shown at the Closing Ceremony that shows you the highlights from our big swashbuckling weekend! #PirateMarra #SkillsForLife
The Daily Swashbuckler
Tuesday 29th May 2018
Click the links below to download copies of our camp newspaper The Daily Swashbuckler!
Marra Messages
Sunday 13th May 2018
New for Pirate Marra 2018 will be our Marra Messaging service. Leaders can register to receive text message updates and reminders throughout the weekend of on whats going on at Pirate Marra. The messages will help to keep everyone up to date on activities and programme and provide reminders for the key events. This service is available to all leaders bringing young people to Marra (no limit per group). Click Here to register.
Evening Entertainment
Wednesday 25th April 2018
At Pirate Marra when the sun goes down, the fun doesn't stop! We've got a packed evening entertainment programme with something for everyone!
- Opening and Closing Ceremonies
- UV Silent Discos
- Pirate Cinema
- Marra's Got Talent
- Spectacular Pirate Party
- Campfires
- Lip Sync Battle
- Chill Out Cafe
- Roller Disco
- Fairground Rides
Back by popular demand, we are delighted to present the return of Marra’s Got Talent! We want to see the best talents on site. Whether you want to sing a solo song, sing a group song, perform a sketch or stunt, do a dance, perform a magic trick or play an instrument, whatever talent you've got, we want to see it! Please bring with you all costumes, props and anything else you may need to perform your act on stage. Also please bring any music or backing tracks you need on either a USB Pen as a MP3 file or on a CD for us to play. Auditions will take place on Saturday morning from 9.30am till 12.30pm with the grand final on Saturday evening from 7pm where the winner will be crowned!
1 month to go!
Wednesday 25th April 2018
Today marks exactly 1 month until our big swashbuckling adventure on Causey Island! We've had more early bookings than ever before with more to come in the next few days. So far we are delighted to welcome over 1700 young people from across the county and the region for an amazing weekend of fun, challenge and adventure. We also have 475 leaders and staff making the big adventure possible plus around 300day visitors. This makes a total (so far) of 2475 people on site across the weekend!
It's not too late though to join in the fun! You can add to your existing group booking, make day visitor bookings or staff bookings up until Monday 30th April. Don't miss this date!
Listening Ears
Tuesaday 17th April 2018
Are you caring, patient and empathetic? Want to spend your Bank Holiday Weekend with over 2000 Scouts and Guides at Northumberland's Big Adventure Camp? Know you definitely want to attend next month's Pirate Marra 2018 as staff but don't yet have a role?
If this sounds like you, we may just have the answer! We're looking for volunteers to join as part of Marra's first ever Listening Ears team!
Listening Ears will be composed of a small staff team who are at hand to listen to any worries or concerns that both young people and adults have whilst at camp. It may be the young person's first time away from home, or they may have fallen out with a friend. They may simply just need some help finding their way back to their campsite.
Don't worry - you don't need to be a trained counsellor to be part of the team. A smile and a friendly approachable attitude goes a long way, and you'll be fully briefed and supported throughout the weekend.
If you're interested in applying, or want to chat things through to find out more, please feel free to message scottideson@hotmail.co.uk
Working in partnership...
Wednesday 28th March 2018
We had a fantastic meeting with Northumbria Police at Causey Park Farm to discuss some exciting plans and partnerships to engage Scouts and Guides with our local services. We are delighted to welcome various teams within the force to the Marra adventure as part of our Sunday Open Day programme. The traffic section, mounted section plus a special police dog agility show will take place throughout the day along with a opportunity to see the different police vehicles and speak to officers. We also work closely with Northumbria Police in the planning of our event. We look forward to welcoming them along to the big pirate adventure!
Come to Marra in style!
Monday 26th March 2018
We are delighted to offer some great exclusively branded Pirate Marra 2018 clothing and merchandise available to order. These garments are ideal to be worn at camp and offer a lasting memento of an amazing weekend. All garments will be manufactured in black with the camp logo and text printed in different styles depending on the garment. You can even personalise it and add your name printed on the back for an additional £3.00!
Click Here to find out all about our merchandise and how to order.
📰 Read all about it! 📰
Thursday 21st March 2018
Following the success of 'The Big Top' and the 'The Wild West Express', our daily camp newspaper will be back at Pirate Marra 2018. Produced and printed on site every day, it's packed full of the latest news, views, programme information, celebrations and more!
We want you to get involved and help us pick a name for our daily publication with a pirate theme. Think outside the box and see what you and your young people can come up with! Visit our facebook page at facebook.com/marracamp and add a comment with your idea. There's sure to be a special prize in store for the winning name! #MarraCamp
Competitions Galore!
Sunday 18th March 2018
Calling all captains and landlubbers! As part of our programme at Pirate Marra we've organised a range of competitions and events for groups and sections to take part in. The idea is to generate some pre-camp fun and get everyone excited for the big swashbuckling weekend.
Click Here for information on all of our competitions
🐦Parrot Pandemonium 🐦
Thursday 15th March 2018
Disaster has struck out on Marra Island after Black Beard and his band of scurvy deck hands were doing a little cannon practice, our resident Pandemonium of Parrots got the fright of their lives and have flown off to the far reaches on the mainland of Northumbria, some have even been spotted further away. The Island is not the same without them and we want to get them home.
We would like you to keep your good eye out for our Parrots and take a photograph or video of them when you are out and about on your raids on the high seas of adventure. Please send us photos and videos of the parrot, where you saw it and the name of your ship (e.g. 1st Northumberland Cub Pack ect).
When we have our gathering of all you Salty Sea Dogs in May we hope all the parrots have been re-captured and you will return them to Marra Island with your crew so they can take up residence on their tree for all to see. We will then show their adventures at Pirate Marra on the big screen so we can see what they get up to!
You can email your photos and videos to media@marracamp.org.uk or tweet them @marracamp
Activity Staff Open Night
Thursday 12th February 2018
Our activity team are holding an open night for potential staff members to come along and speak to the team, find out more about the roles available and get information on how to register. This is open to all members of Scouting and Guiding, if you have a relevant qualification please bring along your certificate/documentation.
Wednesday 14th March at 7.30pm
Eldon Leisure Centre (inside intu Eldon Square), Greys Quarter, Newcastle, NE1 7XY
Any questions? Email michael.blewitt@northumberlandscouts.org.uk
Join the pirate adventure for a day!
Thursday 12th February 2018
The Marra Crew are delighted to announce that Open Day bookings are now live!
Our Sunday Open Day is back and bigger than ever before on Sunday 27th May 2018. It's a great opportunity for younger sections to get a taste of the Marra experience and enjoy an adventurous day out! Not only will Open Day participants be able to take part in all the activities on site and soak up the camp atmosphere, they will be entertained all day by stunning and spectacular shows and events taking place throughout the day.
Open to all Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers, it’s an ideal way to join our swashbuckling adventure for the day!
Click Here to find out more information and how to book.
Activity Announcement!
Friday 2nd February 2018
Happy Friday everyone! Our Marra crew thought we'd kick-start your weekend with some amazing news hot of the press.
For the first time at Marra Camp we are delighted to announce an exclusive ⛸ ROLLER DISCO! ⛸
Stake around our custom built track to all the best tunes played live by our DJ plus amazing disco lights and effects. Grab your mates, get some skates and your off! #MarraCamp
Two weeks till the Early Bird deadline
Wednesday 31st January 2018
There's just two weeks to go until our Early Bird booking deadline. Save £10 per youth participant on all bookings made before Wednesday 14th February. If you haven't already, get your pirates and crew booked in for one big swashbuckling adventure!
Click here to find out how to book.
Download our Promotional Video!
Monday 8th January 2018
To help promote the camp and show your young people and parents just what Pirate Marra is all about, we've put together a short promotional video. You can stream and share the video online or download it to show people at a information meeting.
Activity Announcement!
Monday 8th January 2018
You said... 'We loved the Silent Disco! Please have it again next time!'
We did... More Silent Disco sessions with even more headsets!
Party the night away with your friends in our huge festival tent at our amazing UV Silent Discos! With three different channels of music to choose from, an amazing light show and UV paint all round, it's one of the highlights of our entertainment programme. This year we'll have separate sessions so all sections can take part in the fun!
Up for a new challenge?
Thursday 2nd November 2017
The Marra team are looking to recruit a team to manage and run our exchange activity for Pirate Marra 2018. The "Trading Post" at Wild West Marra was a huge success and we would like to repeat the activity with a fresh new Pirate look for 2018.
We are looking for a team leader and a team to prepare and operate the activity for the whole weekend including the decoration, purchase of items and promotion of the activity through the event.
You'll work as part of the wider staff team, an army of volunteers making fun, challenge and adventure happen for over 1700 young people. Although you'll be working during the day running the activity, you will be able to relax in the evening with a dedicated staff entertainment programme and downtime.
If your interested in this opportunity please contact michael.blewitt@northumberlandscouts.org.uk for further information.
Staff Bookings are open!
Tuesday 10th October 2017
The online booking portal for staff bookings is now offically open! We need a team of dedicated volunteers to help make the big Marra adventure happen for over 1700 young people. No matter what your skills or talents, we will have a role suitable for you. You'll have a fantastic time making the magic happen along with socialising, meeting new people and friends.
Although you'll be working during the day running activities, keeping our young people safe or looking after the site, you will be able to relax in the evening with a dedicated staff entertainment programme available.
Staff is a great option for anyone working towards DofE or the Queens Scout Award as it can be used as the residential element of the awards. The Marra team are more than happy to encourage and support young people with their awards whilst volunteering as staff.
Click here to visit the bookings page to find out more.
Bookings are now open!
Friday 1st September 2017
We are delighted to announce that bookings for Pirate Marra 2018 are officially now open! All Group, Open Day and Staff bookings are available. As with our previous events, all bookings will be made online and payment taken via debit/credit card.
To make it easier for groups to gage interest and collect names of those interested, we've put together a Group Letter Template with all the information that young people and parents need for the event.You can easily edit your group name, how much your group is going to charge depending on food and transport and a date to return the form by.
Click here to visit the bookings page to find out more.
10 days to go until bookings open!
Tuesday 22nd August 2017
The countdown has begun! Bookings for Pirate Marra open on the 1st September 2017, just 10 days to go! #MarraCamp
Welcome to our new website!
Thursday 25th May 2017
Hello and welcome to the brand new website for Pirate Marra! This site will be the one stop shop for all things Marra Camp, which at the moment is focused on our 2018 event Pirate Marra. Here you will be able to find out all the latest information about the camp, the programme and how to book your place whether your bringing your group, coming for our Open Day or making the event happen on our Staff Team.
As we get closer to May 2018 more updates and news articles will be added to the site, giving you the right information to make your weekend a success. Remember to also follow us on Facebook and Twitter to join in the pre-camp fun!