1st richmond scout group

 

Borough Camp 2003                           

                                

                                                                      

WALTON FIRS CAMP (FROM A PARENTS VIEW)

Have you ever found yourself agreeing to do something even though it is completely against your character and something you would never ever have thought you would have done? Well so it was that I found myself agreeing to go on the Walton Firs camp in June. And, against all the odds, I really enjoyed myself and had a brilliant time.

My husband (Raymond) was involved in Scouting for long time during his youth – I think he was still wearing baggy shorts and singing ‘Ging gang gooly’ round a campfire in his late twenties – and he goes on regular camping trips with our two boys. But I have always hated the idea of camping – I like proper toilets, hot running water and a nice dry comfortable place to sleep – no nasty tents for me.

So, with much trepidation on my part, off we went on Friday evening with a car load of food and lots of excited boys down the A3 to Walton Firs. We unloaded the assorted cars, vans and minibus from the Group using the useful trolleys provided. Then on to pitching tents and setting up all the cooking facilities and table and chairs in the marquee. Now is probably the time to let you know that not only had I been talked into coming to the camp, Raymond and I somehow seemed to have been roped into the cooking for the weekend – "only for about forty" said Andrew (Group Scout Leader and big chief) rather casually.

Luckily on that first evening, some wonderful Mums had already prepared Spaghetti Bolognaise which we only had to heat up and cook some pasta for so that was not too difficult. Everyone managed to find their right tents so off to bed for my first night under canvas. Our tent had a sewn-in groundsheet (notice how I am using these technical camping terms already) which meant no nasty creepy crawly things and we had these wonderful inflatable mattresses which are really comfortable. Unfortunately we had forgotten to inflate them before we went to bed so, while everyone else was trying to get to sleep, there were these very strange noises coming from our tent for about an hour, while we tried to pump up these mattresses.

Next morning we were woken VERY EARLY by some noisy boys playing football outside our tents – we muttered and moaned a lot but thought we had better not shout at these children who we didn’t know – only to discover later that they were First Richmond boys, including my two sons. Andrew did mention later that he had forgotten to tell them all not to leave their tents before seven. Thanks Andrew.

Anyway up we got and quickly dressed, as we had to prepare full cooked breakfast for the hungry hordes. Now I get stressed trying to prepare breakfast for the four of us at home, let alone forty on a campsite but we managed and off they all went to their various games and activities for the day while I sat down with a cup of coffee and realised I was enjoying myself.

There is a wonderful sense of freedom with camping – the children can all just run around in the fresh air with no distractions like TV or computers. They all hurl themselves into the team events with great enthusiasm and there is great support for each other. Of course, it did help that First Richmond did win most of the Scout events (of course, due to their great skill and nothing at all to do with the fact that our older Scouts were almost twice the size of some of the other teams!). The Cubs also did really well in winning their football tournament.

Anyway not time for much sitting down as then we had lunch to prepare, clear up, another quick cup of coffee and then start preparing the evening meal. We offered them two choices of meal but unfortunately neither of which was sweet and sour chicken. "But we always have sweet and sour" was the universal cry – sorry everyone – we will know next time. (What am I saying – next time?)

Then we all went to the big campfire where all the groups meet around a big fire – obviously. Then comes the community singing – which seems to be completely led by the Girl Guides who all knew all the words to every single song – and if they could get in a few digs at the "nasty" scouts, all the better!! It was all great fun and all the cubs and scouts have a great time. I did give up participating on the actions to "Bring back, bring back, oh bring back my bonny to me" when you were supposed to stand and sit on every word that began with a ‘b’ – my knees weren’t up to it!

Then back to the First Richmond site for our own personal campfire which was great - especially as it involved cooking bananas with chocolate buttons in the fire and being serenaded by two older Scouts, Mark and Oscar. Then off to bed, well, inflatable mattress, amazingly still inflated and dry and a good night’s sleep.

Sunday went by in a blur of more cooking, clearing, great pride in First Richmond as they seemed to get an awful lot of prizes at the final ceremony, and then packing up to go home. Oh – and the assault course – that can just be summed up in one word – MUD.

Anyway, I had a brilliant time and thoroughly enjoyed myself against all my expectations.

I must just say a big thank you to all the leaders on the camp for making my first camping experience so enjoyable, to Akela’s son Alistair for all his help and last, but not least, to James' father, Nigel, who also was on the camp and who not only led our football teams to great victory, but also worked tirelessly in helping us in the kitchen.

Sally Gill

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Here are  some more photos from the weekend:

Scouts on their way to winning the Tug of War competition

The younger Scouts in their Tug of War competition

Older Scouts in volleyball competition

More Campfire photos