One of our BESTEST Camps Ever!
2008 Summer Camp Blackland Farm Sussex
Everyone agrees that this was a brilliant Summer Camp; apart from one very exciting thunder storm mid-week we had glorious weather. Three full patrols of 6 scouts were led by some great 14 year PLs, we had 4 adult Leaders, supported by 4 teenage Young Leaders. Best of all was the way all the scouts, 5 girls and 11 boys, threw themselves into a very challenging programme of activities with even the youngest walking over 20 miles.
The backbone of the week was our traditional 3 day revolving programme. Given only half a day to get their patrol tents, dining tents and kitchens set -up, the patrols started their three 24 hours challenges; one patrol set-off to hike with their sleeping bags over the fields to the next village of Horstead Keynes to camp the night on a small farm, hiking back next day, while another patrol set-off on the Bluebell Railway, to buy their own lunch, hike at least 5 miles and not to come back until evening. The third challenge was to stay on the main site to cook a roast chicken dinner with a wood-fire oven, do zip-wire, swimming and archery.
During the week we also did 2 night hikes, had 2 camp-fires of songs and sketches, the patrols cooked all the meals themselves on their wood-fires, did orienteering, played games, built a water-slide, had fun in the plastic tunnels, had a Sunday Reflection and an afternoon at a Leisure Centre.
Most of these activities were undertaken without direct adult supervision, with 6 scouts aged 10 upwards under the leadership of a 14 year old ‘PL’ , proving that given the right preparation and training, young people can act safely, responsibly and cooperatively. They hiked in these groups for miles most days ( and nights) through some beautiful countryside; golden corn fields, small oak woods, rolling hills, wildflowers, paths along-side lakes and streams, and into some lovely villages. There were moans about blisters but they mostly returned from each adventure bursting with stories and glowing with the pride of achievement. We phoned one patrol who were far away in hike tents at night during torrential rain, thunder and lightening to see if they were ok. The PL said she was just about to text us to say they were all fine. We didn’t tell them that we were calling from the road along-side their camp. They were scared of course, but clearly safe and coping without our help, we slipped quietly away, the rain still hammering on the roof of the bus.
All the meals were cooked on wood-fires and eaten by the scouts in their own patrol sites, often with leaders as guests, if only to make sure they were not poisoning themselves! One competition meal was planned, bought and cooked by each of the patrols, who all went over budget but produced some amazing meals which included home-made burgers, a chicken risotto and spaghetti carbanara.
The greatest adventure was reserved for our 5 14 year olds who were given good notice that they could be snatched at any moment and ‘dumped’ a long way from camp. This is an old troop tradition and when the snatch came it was swift, followed by a 20 mile journey south to within sight of the sea high on Ditchling Beacon. They were given a £5 Tesco sleeping bag each, some food, water, maps and 2 tiny Tesco Value tents. The group: Rebekah & Jack Cohrang, Zia Woodward, Tom Armsby and Joseph Ewing were dumped at mid-day in hot weather to hike back to camp, stopping somewhere over-night. They returned next day to cheers from everyone, to be rewarded with our traditional ‘PL’s evening meal at a local pub.
We owe tremendous thanks to Southwark Children’s Services and to St.Saviours and St.Olaves’ Foundation for funding, and to the Methodist South London Mission for the use of their NEW minibus. Also to parents Kevin Bradley and Janie Ewing for lifts.
Huge thanks to all the Leadership Team, especially to Kevin Kirby who drove all the way down from Scotland, with his young daughters Molly and Maddie to do all the shopping and quarter mastering for us. Thanks also to my Assistant Camp Leader Catherine Evans, to Rod, Mel and Katie who organized so many great activities, to Pete who drove down twice to support us, and to Sam and Lydia who worked their socks-off to keep the show on the road and to give the scouts a really smashing camp.
