June Camp 2013 (Boldron)

The Camp

June camp has been traditionally held at Spennithorne however in a bold and risky move the leaders decided to try a new camp site near Barnard Castle.

As per usual the Scouts and leaders arrived at the Scout HQ between 6PM and 6:30PM and set off to camp at 7PM. Camp got quickly set up in the large and grassy field despite the gusting wind. There was rows of grass/hay that spanned the length of the field which the farmer was keeping so he could feed his animals which the younger members of the group thought it would be fun to play with and throw over each other. They were wrong.



Unpacking the box later that evening the Scouts realised that all 3 of the kitchens were lacking plates and bowls. The two idiotic seniors who had packed the boxes earlier that week had forgotten necessary equipment and instead packed novelty items such as a ridiculously large ladle and too many chopping boards.

The Scouts woke up bright and early late the next morning at it took until almost 11AM by the time enough wood was collected for the fires to be lit, everyone had had a wash, breakfast had been cooked (bacon sandwiches), the washing up had been done and then a swift inspection. The leaders were not happy.

Slightly late however just as enthusiastic, the group packed for their hike and embarked on the journey to Eggleston Abbey and the 'Parting of the Waters'. The hike took the Scouts through a forest which ran parallel with a small river and then up a hill to the ruins which were once previously an abbey. After a packed lunch the Scouts explored the ruins by playing hide and seek/blocky/hide and seek tig/hide and seek blockey and every other game which involved running around and hiding.

Before the hike continued, Mark made made an amazing discovery. Underneath one of the stone walls he discovered a Partridge nesting. Unfortunately it wasn't in a Pear Tree however the Scouts still found it intriguing.

The sun was at its highest when the Scouts arrived at the 'Parting of the Waters' where two rivers met to make one and there were rocks and trees to climb on. As expected, there were slips and falls and members of the group of all ages got wet (Max and Sam mainly).

The scouts were allowed a short break before the fires were built up for a barbecue. There were sausages, burgers, onions and pitta bread for all.

For the first time in over half a decade there was love in the air at camp amongst two of the younger members of the group who shall remain nameless. Admittedly it only lasted a few minutes however it was love nethertheless.

That evening the scouts spent the evening in the Markii doing one of Neil's quizzes with questions varying from sport to christmas. The leaders won with more than 50 points more than the rest of the patrols only because Mark was doing the points.

The next morning, progress was swifter than the previous morning and there was bacon grill and eggs on offer. Before packing up and heading back to the Scout HQ everyone played rounders. Mark and Liam won the game for their team however it's the taking part which counts.

Everyone put maximum effort into taking the camp down apart from Ben McGlugglugglug who spent over 20 minutes trying to put on trousers over his boots.

At 3PM the flag was taken down, the Otters were announced the winners of the inspection points (followed by the Badgers and the Tigers) and then everyone set of home. The Otters now haven't lost anything since last summer camp. They won the Summer Camp Trophy, the Karl Milner Cooking Trophy, the HQ Inspection Points Trophy and now this. The Otters and undefeatable.