After months of planning, the 18th Cambridge Scout Group have successfully completed an all-sections group camp, despite a few last minute hickups.

The idea, orginially proposed in June, was a major part of the group's Autumn of Ambition...intending to bring the group closer together. But how exactly did the camp go?

Friday

In the buildup to camp, the group lost it's caterer and a few key leaders at relatively short notice, which put a little pressure on the team putting the event together. However, it merely added to the excitement of trying to sort it all out.

First to arrive on Friday evening were the Scouts, who were given the task of erecting tents for themselves and the Cubs to sleep in. Then at 6:45pm, the main crowd of Beavers and Cubs began to arrive.

Following a short opening ceremony and few scout investitures, the group went straight into a night game. Each section were give cones to hide over the site...Beaver (blue), Cubs (green) and Scout (red). When the whistle blew, each team had to go and find the other section's cones. The team who found the most of their opponent's cones won.

The Cubs and Scouts then set about Pumpkin carving and rehearsing sketches, whilst the Beavers enjoyed making a few simple crafts. Hot chocolate, biscuits and marshmellows beckoned round the campfire, and some loud singing echoed round the woodlands before bedtime.

Saturday

Saturday saw the main bulk of activities, with the Cubs and Scout getting to grips with bearings and ghost hunting after breakfast. The Beavers meantime prepared biscuits for decorating in the afternoon and make broomsticks out of sticks and canes.

Before lunch, small mixed teams set off to uncover the mystery of "Murder Most Horrid!" by completing a selection of challenges, ranging from finding objects, solving puzzles, navigating and teamwork exercises...all culminating in the arrest of a suspect (the leaders).

The Cubs and Scouts joined together in the afternoon for pioneering, building a structure from poles and rope. The Beavers meanwhile took part in two horrible tasks. First was apple bobbing with a twist. Whilst blindfolded, the Beavers had to retrieve items with their teeth from baked beans, syrup, jelly, flour and feathers. The second task involved retrieving items with their hands from bowlfuls of unknown substances...jelly, baked beans, honey and spaghetti.

The Cubs then departed on a hike around the village, whilst the Beavers prepared to go home and the Scouts cleared the campfire circle for the evening campfire. Those remaining for another night then settled for dinner whilst a number of leaders hid around the site, waiting to be found once the boys were released to search for them.

As the night drew in, the group joined other scouts camping on site for a giant campfire before settling down for a movie and popcorn. Whilst the Cubs headed to bed, the Scouts kitted up for a short Night Hike around Little Abington.

Sunday

The Scouts woke early on Sunday morning to cook breakfast for the entire camp. A partial English consisting of eggs, bacon, sausages and beans was on the menu. This was swiftly followed by Scouts Own in the Chapel.

Whilst the sun was shining, everyone mucked in to pack away their belongings and and move their tent into the light in the hope they would dry out before the end of camp.

A few minutes of free time led to the only activitiy of the morning, a scavenger hunt over the entire site. Cubs and Scouts were given a cryptic list of 50 items to find, all of which had to be brought back and tallied at the end of the game.

Finally, with little time remaining, everyone gathered round the flags for flag down and dismissal, before handing over to the parents for home time.

Simon Gates, Assistant Beaver Leader, commented;

"The camp has been brilliant for bringing all of the kids together. Though we've only done a handful of activities as a group, it's been wonderful to see the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts sharing their experiences and mixing really well. This is what being part of a scout group is all about."

Simon also highlighted the benefits of the camp for the future leadership team;

"I am also thrilled that the camp has provided Chris and Charlie with an opportunity to earn their Night Away Permit. As a result, they are now qualified to offer even greater camping opportunities to the next generation of Cubs, which has been one of my aims for the camp from the start."

The 18th are now hoping to hold a similar events in 2009, with the Beavers benefitting from 3 nights away, the Cubs from 4 and the Scouts from 7.

View photos from the Group Camp by visiting The Gallery

Your Views

Christopher Whitehead, Cub Scout
"It was a good weekend with lots of fun, but it was a bit cold. The best bit was helping to keep the camp fire alight."

Simon Gates, Beaver & Scout Leader
"Despite the last minute stresses and occasional improvisation, the camp was really enjoyable. Credit to the kids and leaders, I had a lot of fun and think the group can take a lot of encouragement from this camp. I'll be pushing for something even better next year, just so I can spend an entire weekend trying to wind everybody up and sleep under the gazebo! ;-)"