CAMPS
On top of a packed week-to-week programme, the Scouts regularly go on camping trips. The following are camps organised yearly:
Previous one-off camps have included:
Plans for camps in the future:
- Pedal Car Olympics – based at Thriftwood Scout Campsite every January, and 2014 will be our 5th year! Scouts are in teams of 4 and take part in many karting races, against 119 other teams, throughout the weekend. Saturday night is always a party with inflatables and music. This camp has a reputation for the snowy weather so Scouts should be prepared and wrap up warm!
- Dads, Lads & Lasses – this camp is a popular themed camp for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts which started as Dads & Lads but was adapted in 2007 upon the introduction of girls in the group. Young members camp with a parent and are divided into mixed teams who then compete in various activities. A new introduction to the weekend is the rest of the family joining us on Saturday afternoon/evening for fun with the whole family. At the end of the weekend, the winning team are awarded medals whilst the losing team go away with the wooden spoon. All families earn a certificate if they survive the whole weekend.
- Summer Camp – for a week, usually during the Summer holidays, we take Cubs and Scouts away for a week, both in the UK and abroad, and includes a combination of on-site and off-site activities.
Previous one-off camps have included:
- Brownsea Island 2013 - following a wet and unsuccessful trip to Brownsea Island during a previous summer camp, we fundraised for a weekend to take Cubs and Scouts back to Butchers Coppice Campsite in Bournemouth to re-attempt a visit to Brownsea Island and what a trip it was! We met some Portuguese Scouts and took part in the Baden Powell Challenge, an activity teaching the young people how to build shelters and other camping structures.
- Expedition Challenge – in order to complete the Expedition Challenge badge, Scouts planned and hiked from Hanningfield Reservoir, camped overnight at Riffhams Campsite and finished at Sandon Village Hall.
- Cycle Camp – another camp to complete the requirements of a badge, the Cyclist badge, Scouts spent Saturday at Thorrington Campsite ensuring their bikes were correctly maintained before demonstrating their skills around a course. On the Sunday the Scouts cycled 37 miles from the campsite to Sandon Village Hall and all did fantastically!
Plans for camps in the future:
- Essex International Jamboree 2016 – being held from 30th July to 6th August at Boyton Cross, this camp is an international week long camp which brings together Scouts and Guides from around the world every four years.