Summer Camp 2010 - Norfolk

I am sure that most parents will have been given a shrug of the shoulder that camp was "okay" and not a lot more detail. So I will give you a short summary of what we did.

Our site turned out to be perfect and despite Norfolk being renowned for being flat we had a lovely view across the fields which took in a windmill and church towers across to Bacton Woods. I think this will become one of the favourite sites for the more experienced campers. This was no doubt helped by the weather, and although we did have some rain showers the ground dried quickly and was nothing like our previous years' deluges where we have had to have "no go" mud areas and walk on wooden plank walk ways. The village of Mundesley suited our needs perfectly with a handful of shops for the regular dose of sugar and energy drinks, but the main benefit being a life guarded beach. This is not something that we have ever had before and a great deal of free time was spent jumping the waves and playing on the sand. The benefits of a hot porta shower on site was appreciated by all.

The farmer was very accommodating and a few scouts and explorers were able to try their hand at coarse fishing in his large pond. Bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh hikes were completed and all scouts completed an over night hike. Cycling was very popular along the quiet country lanes ending at the swimming pool in North Walsham. Sailing on Hickling Broad was enjoyed by all. Explorers and group 1 scouts took part in a two day survival exercise in canoes and group 2 had their own overnight survival challenge. We completed a different community project at Pigney's Wood which is a newly planted wood where the hazel trees are being swamped by undergrowth and the scything and raking was hugely appreciated by the Trustees who said that the amount of work completed would have taken them through till the winter. A little bit more interesting that our usual litter sweep!

We ran a day of activities which included a climbing wall, archery, aeroball and basic scout skill bases of cooking twists, cooking skills and pioneering all on site. Everyone either took part or shadowed or ran a base for the Junior Challenge orienteering event. Over the middle weekend everyone had the opportunity to take part in shooting at the Mundesley scout site. We had a bbq and camp fire after which the majority of the troop slept out under the stars. The Explorers and group 1 were entertained at Cromer Pier seaside special show and the scouts ran a VIP evening meal. The activities were finished off on Thursday with a game of bowling. Alongside all this the scouts were living and working in patrols and learning life skills and the importance of team work.

It was a very happy camp this year but it is only possible with a huge effort from the leadership team and helpers and I thank them all for their time and support in making our two week camp the highlight of our scouting year with memories and skills that our young people will take with them through their adult life.