Summer Camp 2004 - Lake Bala, Snowdonia, North Wales,

 

 

 

 

 

 

This year was back to Lake Bala, on a new field bordering the lake. The activities were even more extensive than ever - sailing, canoeing white water rafting, hiking, climbing, fly fishing, swimming and mountain biking as well as cooking, pioneering, skill-o-rama, bivvying, survival, badge work, patrol competition and progress to Scout and DOE awards. These are all done mainly by age group. If that isn’t enough, we have a community project (to restore a neglected Norman mound in the town), VIP meal competition and a big BBQ. By patrol, scouts cook their own breakfast and evening meal, but are given a packed lunch. They look after their own ‘territory’ and are inspected every morning. Points are gained from this and their activities at camp towards the coveted Patrol Competition shield.

The camp is combined with the Gladiator Explorer Scout camp, who join in the activities and the Young Leaders support the organisation. Some of the older Cubs come for 4 days to sample ‘the experience’. It’s a big jump from weekend cub camp and has helped recent ‘movers on’ to make the transition to scouts more easily.

2AC have, over the years built up an enviable reputation for running excellent summer camps with a mix of activities that are second to one. It is an essential part of Scout training. Scouts learn to live and work in a patrol, and it epitomises what being a Scout is about. It is THE major event of the year.

Our camps are well staffed with a team of enthusiastic, qualified adults. Underlying this is the day-to-day camping where scouts live in patrols, each patrol responsible for it’s own cooking and living as an independent unit. Scouts, if there is an activity you wish to do, let us know and we will see what we can do.

Summer camp is the highlight of the Scouting year and consequently it must be regarded as an essential part of troop membership. It is the culmination of the entire scout training done during the year and it is where bonding begins and friendships deepen. All members are asked to attend for the full two weeks. The second week is the time when many of the activities and badge work are completed. There are choices of activities in the second week and it is disappointing if scouts are unable to conclude their efforts of the previous week. Continuity in the second week is also important for the teamwork generated by the patrol system. Patrol Leaders are keen to win the patrol competition and they do need all their members for the whole camp!

The benefits to the young people who experience summer camp cannot be overstated. Although they think they are having fun and enjoying themselves they are also learning important life skills, gaining confidence and developing self reliance, through living in patrols and undertaking their activities. These are experiences that are unique to scouts and ones they won’t get from a school or youth club trip.

The cost of summer camp has been set at £210. The increase reflects the higher transport costs that will be incurred by the location. Please note that no refunds can be made in the event of cancellation and you are advised to arrange your own insurance for this. Camp is run on a tight budget with the vast majority of the expenditure fixed and committed before we leave home.

All parents, please remember that the camp is ALWAYS the first two full weeks of the summer holidays, so those affected please adjust your family holidays accordingly.