Some would say it was suggested as a joke following the success of the Group Camp last October. However, after 5 months of planning, the 18th Cambridge have successfully held their first family camp in over a decade.

The camp, held at Phasels Wood in Hertfordshire, is the first in a number of events that the group hope will bring younger members and their families together for a range of traditional scouting activities, as part of the group's 40th Anniversary.

Leaders promised to deliver a few unexpected twists and turns along the way, which kept both the parents and young people on their toes. So how did the camp go?...

Friday

On arrival at Phasels Wood on the Friday evening, all participants set about building the campsite with adults and young people shuttling equipment off the trailer and into the wooded enclosure. But with limited time before the sun set, half the task ended up being completed in the dark. Once the dining and kitchen shelters had been erected and kitted out, the leaders set about cooking the hotdog supper and coco whilst the parents and young people enjoyed light entertainment in the form of "Are You Smarter than a 10 Year Old".

Saturday

Saturday was a cold and early start for the entire camp, with a cooked breakfast of sausage, beans and egg providing much needed warmth and a wake-up call. With everyone gathered, Akela and the leaders opened camp with the traditional flagbreak, followed by a few rules and a breakdown of the programme.

Parents and young people were then split into mixed teams, to participate in a number of challenges entitled "Are you More Able than a 10 Year Old?". Simple challenges such as Kim's Game and Pairs tested the team's memories, whilst Tossing Targets tested their throwing abilities and accuracy. But to add a little kick to proceedings, teams also had to get messy by retrieving straws from a bowl of water, flour or baked beans, using only their mouths as part of the Bobbing challenge.

Each of the challenges awarded a point, with adults playing against the young people. Despite a valiant effort from the parents, the kids took a commanding victory, winning 3-1. The camp then split into the day's main activities, with Pedal Karts, the Adventure Trail and the Rolling Climbing Wall for the Beavers and younger members, whilst the older members enjoyed Archery, Potholing and Climbing.

Following the main activities, Akela served a dinner of delicious bacon pasta, which led on to the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts splitting up into their sections to build small campfires under the supervision of the parents. The Beavers managed to build and light theirs first, and with a little bit of help managed to make it large enough to cook toast and marshmellows.

As the night drew in, the several small campfires merged into one large campfire for a traditional sing-song, led by Mowgli and Akela, with sketches from the Scouts. There was also a surprise for Baloo (Chris G-Bleet), who was presented with a 25th Birthday cake. The camp then split for a few night games in the woods, before regrouping for a light snack and bed.

Sunday

Sunday was another bright and early start. Akela and Mowgli oversaw the group in cooking sausage and onion boil-in-a-bag omelettes for breakfast, with beans on the side. This was promptly followed by Baloo and YoYo's team-building exercises; waterbomb throwing and catching contest and water relay to spur the group into action for the last remaining hours.

Adults and young people pulled together to start taking down the tents and clear as much of the site as they could before the last of the main activities, the Cresta Run. Four wheeled sledges carry participants down a slope towards a soft tyre wall.

With little time remaining, the group enjoyed a light lunch before gathering for the closing ceremony. All that was left to do was load the trailer whilst the young people browsed the souvenir shop, and that effectively ended the camp.

View photos from the Family Camp by visiting The Gallery

Your Views

Simon Gates, Scout Leader & District Commissioner
"I thought it was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend and it's been great working with the parents and young people in a more relaxed setting. I was particularly pleased by the excellent sportsmanship of all participants during the games and activities, and by the contribution of parents towards the smooth running of the event. Potholing was an amazing experience and next time, I want to get more people sleeping under the stars"