Summer Camp 2014 - Day 1

Camp at Target Wood, Hexham

The most anticipated and legendary event of the Scouting year, Summer Camp, commenced on Saturday July 26th 2014. 15 Scouts, 9 Leaders, 4 Seniors, 2 Cubs and 2 Bears arrived at the den bright and early to pack the van and the 4X4 for a lively week at Target Wood – a last minute location found by Alec after the original site for Summer Camp fell through only weeks before.

The ardent group of Scouts sung their way to the field and were privileged enough to hear Mark’s rendition of 'Copacabana'. The field itself is North of Hexham and the farmer had been kind enough to mow the grass in certain areas of the field so the scouts had an area for camping in, an area to play games, a place to park the cars and then a pathway to get to the woods without needing to trek through the knee-high grass and thistles.

The bright sun beamed down and made the experience of setting up camp uncomfortably warm and sweaty. There were three Scout tents to erect, three food shelters, three kitchens and a Senior bell tent – an ancient tent which the Seniors had spent the previous few weeks unsuccessfully re-waterproofing. The tent had not be used in at least four decades however was still in good shape. It was a dark green in colouring, with some lighter areas which gave it a camo look, and the word ‘Willy’ inscribed on the inside. The Seniors’ plan on using the bell tent as a permanent tent for whenever they go camping.

At 3pm Maverick marked the finish of constructing camp by raising the flag. Leaders then spent the afternoon taking advantage of the sun and reading whilst Scouts and Seniors headed to the woods to slowly wood collect. There was plenty of wood however Scouts made an effort to collect it one stick at a time because the trees offered shelter from the sun.

Sausages

After a tasty sausage casserole for tea, the temperature finally started to decrease and everyone headed over to another part of the field to play kick rounders. Light showers started before supper which by midnight had developed so much it felt like the camp was in the grip of a hurricane.
As mentioned earlier, the Seniors hadn’t waterproofed their tent very well so there were dozens of leaks dribbling onto sleeping bags and personal kit. Sleeping close together and in the only habitable half of the circular tent was the only way to avoid waking up soaked.