The time of year had come for our second family camp at Gilwell Park in April. We had 48 participants to have a look at what we do as a group and enjoy themselves. The camp had been put together excellently by Lesley and assisted by Jan.

The happy campers started to arrive on Friday night after the advance crews had set up the Branchet Lodge. The rooming list was ready and as they arrived and got settled the place began to spring into life. Jan had prepared a brilliant picture quiz which some took very seriously indeed.

Tea had been prepared earlier by the advance crew and was a great meal that all seemed to enjoy. Supper was made by the Beavers. We all sat around and eventually we all went to bed.

Saturday came bright and early and the scouts did breakfast. After this the activities were started with some doing 5 a side, some hiking, and some doing the slippery slope. The dads did lunch then we all played Rounders with lots of cheating going on from a certain team!!

4pm came and so did the grand National we had a sweepstake and this was won by Gemma after an exciting race and Emma’s excitement!

Free time came next followed by a tug of war which was a bit one sided with yells of we want Mark on our side even with him it was still one sided but we had fun.

We went off to get wood for the fire and the two Marks built a camp fire for the singing session later which we had to abandon because of the rain so we moved under the sheler of the building and Stephen carried on with help from the scouts doing some fun stuff and the shop sketch ran by the two marks well done to the four mugs!! Fiona, Cheryl, John and Clive who we made fools of but they were great sports and laughed afterwards and during!.

Lesley had got a brilliant quiz sorted and this was a ten minute quiz!! This definitely took longer with all the scouts trying to get answers of all the adults. The quizmasters team of Fi, John, Mark and Mark and later on clive beat the mums and teachers. Great clever quiz. Everyone then chilled out and eventually went to bed knackered after a busy day.

Sunday was a shock for the explorers who were enthusiastically woke up by Fi at 6-30am

Heard by some of the other campers who wanted to lie in. But that’s camp life for you they cooked breakfast and we all then set about having a pack up session and then came the much awaited it’s a knockout run by the explorers. This involved the favourite stuff the sack game the egg and spoon relay, the three legged race, apple bobbing and the finalie the balloon bust game, which was played very enthusiastically indeed. Janet f tried to cheat by having the smallest Baloon but alas she still got done!

Mark T had gone on a 15 mile run in preparation for the marathon and ran in as we were doing one of the games to great encouragement from all the campers. We finished the games and all cleared up and packed the cars and cleaned the lodge all very tired but satisfied we had a great weekend. Well done Lesley and Jan great camp Thanks.

Thanks also to all the parents who made it so much fun and to the leaders for helping where needed

See you all again next year!