May Camp 2014 (Croft)

Queueing up for some lunch: the Cubs

Since 1948 the 8th Darlington Scout Group have been camping at Hunger Hill farm near Middleton St. George however the field is prone to flooding and over the past couple of years the weather at May camp has been far from adequate. It was so bad last year the camp was called off by the first morning and everyone returned to the Scout HQ. So, this year, the leaders moved May camp to a new field near Croft-on-Tees.

Cubs lost in the woods

On the first evening, the friendly estate manager was kind enough to carry all of the equipment and personal kit down to the camp site in his trailer since the tall, wet grass made it impossible for the van to get anywhere close. Meanwhile, the farmer’s dog was insane enough to be charging around the field in the abysmal conditions and thrashing rain when it could have been relaxing at home.

Thanks to the weather, the camp took longer than normal to erect. Once Scouts had their tents put up and made a start on their kitchens they didn’t have much motivation to do anything else, so they had a pasty for supper and headed off to bed.

The next morning, with T minus two hours until the Cubs and Beavers arrived, the Scouts and Seniors needed to wash, wood collect, cook bacon sandwiches, wash up and finish final touches to camp which they didn't have time to do previous night. During breakfast, Pat’s peculiar obsession with his red plate came to light.

The rumble of nearby train and nervous glances up the hill at the paper-white skies marked the descent of 28 Cubs and Beavers into camp. On arrival, leader-in-charge, Alec introduced the different sections of the group and explained what was on the agenda for the day. The visitors started by being split into three teams: James’ Jaguars, Liam’s Loch-ness Monsters and Maverick’s Mallards. This was soon followed by relay races, treasure hunts and a game of ‘Secret Stalker’ whilst Scouts prepared a lunch of sausage sandwiches and beans.

Through the afternoon, Beavers and Cubs carefully dodged intermittent showers. They started off in the woods for a string trail guided by the Seniors and leaders, and then retreated into a tent to do some colouring in whilst the rain thrashed against the walls. When the rain finally got lighter, the visitors had a whale of a time playing ‘the mug game’, ‘three-way football’ and tug of war before finally setting off home — filthy and soaked.

Scouts at the 'banter bivvy'

Concurrently, the Scouts wood collected and procrastinated at — what became known as — the ‘banter bivvy’ whilst the Seniors, after hours of tantalising and nerve-racking waiting, finally managed to steal Pat’s plate!

For dinner that evening there was Pasta Bolognese followed by a game of Relivo where Scouts and Seniors slipped around the huge hilly field. The game was great fun and everyone was very disappointed that they only got to play one round however after so many slips and falls they weren't sure their bodies could take any more.

Neil’s quiz that evening included ladles full of fascinating information. For example, did you know that Roald Dahl wrote 17 Children’s novels and the game Monopoly contains 22 streets? Primula cheese and Ritz crackers were dished up for supper, then “bed”.

On Sunday morning, due to drenched kindling, the morning routine took longer than usual however it wasn't too long until eggy bread was toasting and sausages were frying over the fire. Inspection swiftly followed breakfast which the girl’s patrol won. The rest of the day was then spent slowly packing camp away.

‘Lively’ is the single word that Scout leader Mark described May camp and he certainly wasn't wrong. The camp at Croft was many Scouts first camp and it had aggressive and unpredictable weather which everyone dealt with optimistically and always with a spring in their step. Alec described it best just before the flag was taken down for the final time: “If you can survive a camp like this, you can survive any camp.”