Yes well into the summer term so we’re off to England for the district cub camp. Some groups sending their advance teams to set up their camps sites before the cubs turn up on the Friday night after they finish school for the weekend. Why set up before the cubs turn up? – it’s often safer to bring transport onto the camping field when there’s no cubs play and enjoying themselves. Like most camps as soon as you turn up with your kit even before you’ve opened the door someone will be telling when you must get your transport off the field [a Welcome would be nice]? They mean well.
So with the advance teams working hard to make and set up their base camps it’s time for a cupper and meet up for the normal leg pulling stories etc. such fun.
Friday morning and sun [yes sun] making the work of putting up the rest of the tents and social areas etc ready for that quiet time before the cubs, parents and the rest of the leadership teams turn up ready to play their part. The energy level is now turned up to full so the camp is getting off to a great start. Friday night supper, it’s Hot dogs and hot chocolate! Then back to the all night football match. Great fun!
Saturday and the main day of the camp – Breakfast and visit from a very senior [in years] member of scouting who seem surprised that cubs would be up early and making a noise? But on with the activities! The camp theme is the world – New Zealand, Egypt, Australia, USA, Holland, China, Spain Barbados not forgetting France.
So what did we do? Beach party with sand and cocktails, making Chinese lanterns, playing Dutch games and trying on wood shoes [clogs], some cubs were turned into Mummies’, water games in USA and bull fighting and pancake making [and eating] plus one group who had a chill out area complete with cool foot bath. All under a very hot sun! Later on a ‘camp fire’ sing songs then bed. Yes a much quieter night so I am told.
Sunday morning breakfast and time for a ‘Cubs Own’ and a great opportunity to say thank you, and think about others! The ground crew start the hard work of breaking camp and loading the transport, remember we’ve been told no transport on the main field until 13.30hrs – so ? Our final picnic lunch and the fun of packing your own kit into your own bags! So what fun the parents have unpacking back at home to find items that they have not met before.
The main kit packed – a quick visit to the boys room before travelling back our HQ’s and yes unloading the van again before heading home. Yes hard work but great fun for all. Thanks to everyone for the efforts to ensure a great weekend cub scouting.
Report by Polly.
