This year we took 3 patrols of scouts to a small campsite near Banbury in Oxfordshire for a our traditional style of camping; the scouts cooking their own meals on wood fires and taking part in a programme of adventures in their patrols. We were helped this year by two parents, Chris Simmons and Kevin Bradley, they joined Eddie and Kevin Kirby who travelled down from Scotland to help lead with his 4 daughters. Our new leader Dave came for the begining of the camp. Our two young leaders Kirsten Hamilton Alison and Sam Thorpe worked their socks-off assisted by Rebekah Kirby.
Our 3 oldest scouts Luke, Josh, George and Duncan got their traditional ‘dumping’ and were snatched and kicked-out of the bus over 20 miles away with only a 2 inch wide strip of map to guide them back to camp, meaning the would be lost off the map if they deviated more than 2 k either side of their route.
Sadly rain and gusting winds attempted to spoil the programme but all the scouts managed to hike-off with their back packs to camp at a farm a few miles away, they did a 20 miles cycle ride around local villages all on their own without adult leaders. We were more worried about their safety canoeing and leaders supported their evening canoe trips on the canal to the leisure centre in Banbury to swim and to have a McDonalds. Scouts also did climbing, shooting, archery and cooked a full roast dinner in a their wood fired oven.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this camp possible. Photos here in the Gallery, click to make pictures larger http://www.bermondseyscout.co.uk/gallery2/v/09+Summer+camp/
