Summer Camp Preview

Check out the video on YouTube for a preview of what to expect for the Summer Camp Review and Presentation night on Friday 7th September 2012.
Summer Camp 2012 - Trailer

Gold Medal Award Winners

On the last night at camp we awarded gold medals to everyone on camp under the age of 18. The reasons for each award are detailed below:
Jimmy - volunteered to a second stint of map reading on the hike
Lewis P - really embraced his first Scout camp and got stuck into everything. Also, the trick he can do with his head (ask him!), and for loosing a tooth on camp
George - for being Alex Sutton's best friend (you'll need to ask George or Alex about this!) and for being "Mr Competitive"
Isla - for being so polite and always saying "thank you"
Hannah - for her contribution to the team effort on the cooking competition and for helping to wash up all the pots after the survival camp lunch
Jack - for giving up his place on the survival camp so that Tom Newton could do it
Nick - for his map reading skills on the hike, for leading the group to the top of a steep hill, and for cooking for his patrol on the survival exercise
Emma - for having the loudest hair on camp!
Alex W - for having the biggest scab on camp
Tom N - for playing cricket when everyone else was playing rounders
Demi - for having the cheekiest smile
Dominic - for smiling even when he had to celebrate his birthday whilst on camp
Adam - for donating £5 of his personal spending money to Dominic as a birthday present
Sam M - for his expert knowledge on navigation skills
Tayniah - for being so courageous and asking for help when she needed it, eg: when walking through the Ford on the hike
Tom W - for changing his mind from definately not wanting to do the survival camp to then saying yes
Megan - for trying to cook her own leg and for her idea on how to transfer a fire by using a spade
Sam J - for the entertainment on the blog from Steam Train Dad
Emily - for having the prettiest and clearest menu for the patrol cooking competition
Alex S - for the 5 minutes of clarity on camp when answering questions for the survival skills exercise
Naomi - for volunteering to help wash the dixies after the survival cooking
Archie - for giggling whenever he received his medication on camp and for his tartan  flat cap that rarely left his head
Lewis M - for (appearing to) wear the same base layer top under his t-shirts for the entire camp
Anthony - for not getting left behind anywhere - and for lots of smiles
Zac - for eating the most food (by far!) and being labelled the "camp dustbin"
Louise - for proving that she's not a dumb blonde - GCSE results: 7xA*, 3xA, 1xA at AS Level
Kieran - for being labelled "the stud muffin"
Dan - for being the best goffer
Poppy - for helping out around camp, cleaning pots, fetching water, etc
Evelyn - for having the most energy on camp
Edward - for having the (second) cheekiest smile on camp
(Jessica and Nicola left camp on Thursday but will be awarded their medals at a later date).

Journey home...

We had a relatively dry morning until around 1.00pm - so thank you for all your positive thoughts - it worked!
We had a heavy shower when we left but managed to get most of the kit away dry and left just after 2pm.
There is a closure on the M62 which means that we have taken the M1 and A50. We're hoping to be back in Crewe around 5.45pm, but Roger (the Home Contact) will have the most up to date status, so please check with him.
See you soon....

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Last day...

We had a successful - and luckily dry day on the beach today for the BBQ, games and beach olympics.
We are back on site now where we are starting to strike camp by taking down the dining shelters which are dry, as there is rain forecast for tomorrow :(
We will no doubt need some help please when we get back tomorrow to sort out the wet canvas - unless, that is, you all think positive thoughts for us and it stays dry.
Tonight we will be awarding gold medals to everyone for their positive contribution to camp during the week - each will be nominated individually for specific reasons - details to be published after we get back.
Tomorrow we will award Best Patrol and Best Scout on camp, which the leaders will be deliberating and voting on later tonight.
Probably no more updates until we get back now. Thank you for all your contributions. Don't forget that it will be Summer Camp Review and Leaver Presentation night (for Emma, Isobel and Alex R) on the first night back to Scouts on Friday 7th September (no Scouts on the 31st).

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Yum! Yum!

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BBQ on the beach

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Patrol Cooking Competition Winners

Adam's patrol won the cooking competition, which included Sam M, Tayniah, Megan, Sam J and Tom W.
The menu was:
Starter: Sam's Saucy Noodles (Sam J)
Main: Bacon and Cheeseburger with Chips
Pudding: Eton Mess
All washed down with Butter Beer.

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Beach Olympics warm-up

We've arrived at Saltburn-by-the-sea for Beach Olympics and are having a warm-up game of rounders before we have BBQ lunch on the beach.
After 3 hours of heavy rain this morning back at camp, the weather is starting to brighten and the sun is threatening to put his hat on. Let's hope it stays that way!

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They survived!

Good news (depending on your point of view!) - all the Scouts survived the night and are in high spirits having completed the task.
The night was fine and dry all night until around 7 this morning when light rain started. There were no incidents, problems or noise during the night, and no need for Explorer or Leader intervention. So well done to all!
Today we're off to the beach for Beach Olympics, so let's hope the weather brightens up.

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Survival Shelter 3

Inhabitants will be: Jimmy, Nick, Sam J, Tom W and Anthony

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Survival Shelter 2

Inhabitants will be: Isla, Tayniah, Megan, Emma and Emily

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Survival shelter 1

Inhabitants will be Alex S, Dominic, Adam, Archie, Alex W, George and Sam M

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Survival Night

Zac, Louise, Dan and Kieran will be on hand to assist the Scout "survivors" should they need any advice or guidance.
Don't worry parents - the Leader's are still within earshot!
The Scouts who are not "surviving" tonight will be back at camp (only 200 yards away) and will get a chance to do their survival badge later in their Scouting career.

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Survival night

Several of the Scouts will be spending the night under bivouac's tonight.
All of the Scouts received survival skills instruction this morning then built fires from scratch to cook their lunch. They then spent the afternoon building the shelters.

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Full kit inspection this morning!

After kit inspection the Scouts will be doing survival skills for the rest of the day, including:
- First Aid for hypothermia and heat exhaustion
- navigation skills, with and without map and compass
- distress signals
- fire lighting and cooking on wood
- water purification.
Some of the older Scouts may be camping out under Bivouac's tonight so that they can qualify for their Survival badge.

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Scarborough

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Scout birthday on camp

Dominic is 12 today
Birthday cake for tea tonight
Yum yum!

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Rounders on the beach at Scarborough

Bright and sunny (for now!)

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View from camp from the top of the hill

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Thunder and lightning

We ended the hike with really heavy rain, thunder and lightning. We all got soaked!
Never mind - spirits are high.
Off to Scarborough tomorrow - the PLs will be doing their shopping for the Patrol Cooking Competition.

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Hogsmeade Station (Harry Potter) - otherwise known as Goathland Station

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Ford Anglia 105E Deluxe - March 1962 - as used in Harry Potter

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Lunch in Goathland - deep in Heartbeat country

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75029 - but what is it called?

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Fish (or sausage) and chips in Whitby

Everyone has had a great day at Flamingoland today. We arrived when they opened at 10am and only left at 5.30pm - half an hour before they were due to close.
This evening we made a quick trip into Whitby, where we were able to see some of the sights at the end of the Regatta weekend. The place is packed! But luckily, lime green Scouts are easy to spot in the crowd.
Leaving to go back to camp in a bit when we hope to catch up on all the comments that you've been leaving. Keep them coming!
Tomorrow is hike day which will hopefully include a trip on a steam train and a trip to Goathland.
Until then - TTFN

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Sunset evening in Whitby

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FLAMINGOLAND in new Group T-Shirts

Just arrived at Flamingoland as soon as the gates opened for a day of fun on the rides.

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St Andrews!

The Scouts at the beach spelling out "St Andrews!"

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One less Scout to feed...

Not sure that we'll be able to get him out again!

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Sunday morning

All arrived safely yesterday afternoon around 4.30pm. After sorting out the tents and spag bog for tea we did a short familiarisation walk around the site. Then supper by the fire and bed at around 10pm (although nobody was asleep much before midnight!).
We're off to Whitby today for the Regatta where we hope to see the Red Arrows and spend some time on the beach.

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Hartshead Moor Services

All happy smiles and singing in the mini-buses! North Yorks Moors here we come.

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Latest weather from Raven Gill...

The latest update from the Fiennes Explorers who are on our Raven Gill campsite this week is that the weather is fine and has been predominantly sunny. There was a shower yesterday afternoon, but today is humid and overcast.

The forecast from the MetOffice (see above) looks reasonably good for the next few days - the odd shower that is indicated for Sunday and Tuesday will obviously not materialise and we will definitely have glorious sunshine (fingers crossed!)  ;-)

Don’t forget that the midges are ‘lively’ for a couple of hours in the evening, so make sure the Scouts all have insect repellent and know how to use it.

A day out in Scarborough on Wednesday

 

The North Yorks Moors National Park

On Tuesday we will get to see a bit more of the North Yorks Moors National Park, including the Esk Valley Steam Railway, and possibly a visit to Goathland where the TV programme Heartbeat was made, and Hogsmeade station for the Harry Potter films.

Flamingoland planned for Monday

 

Whitby Regatta on Sunday

We’ve got an action packed week ahead, starting with a visit to Whitby Regatta on Sunday.

Are you getting excited yet?

Reminder

Please hand in all medicines (including paracetemol) to Karen Hatton on Saturday, clearly labelled with the Scout's name and any instructions regarding administration.

Please hand in Camp Bank money to Andrew on Saturday before we leave. Andrew will have coin bags available which will be labelled with the Scout's name.

Any other monies, camp payments, etc, or PTC forms must be handed into Tim before we leave.

Update re Camp Bank

The Leaders have been reconsidering the "cap" on spending money for Summer Camp next week, which had been set at £20.

On the basis that we will spend a full day at Flamingoland when the Scouts may wish to spend some of their money, this may leave them a bit short for the day's out to Whitby, etc - so we've increased the limit that they can bring on camp to £30.

Scouts do not have to bring £30 if they don't want or need to, but they should not bring any more than that. And please remember, a couple of £5 notes and a pile of £1 coins is preferred so that when the Camp Bank is "open" the Banker only needs to hand out the money that the Scout needs for that day, and not a £20 note (which should hopefully reduce the risk of them losing all of their money in one go!).

Hot off the press....

The Fiennes Explorers are camping on the same site as us this week - we will be swapping over mini-buses on Saturday when the Explorers return, and we will then be using the same equipment which will already be there, ready and waiting for us.

The Explorers arrived safely onsite on Saturday, so are already a couple of days into their camp. They have sent an update to Tim today whilst they were out on their travels at Robin Hood Bay:

• there is no mobile phone reception on site for any network - so please do not allow any of the Scouts to bring mobile phones with them (same applies to cameras, MP3 players, etc) as they won't be able to use them anyway. Leader's will have phones for use offsite, and there is a payphone onsite at the campsite for emergencies.
• this will mean that updates to the blog may not be as frequent as we would like - but we will ensure that we make a connection everytime that we are offsite with mobile phone reception - so please ensure you post plenty of comments to the blog site for us to read out to the Scouts whilst we sit around the camp fire each evening.
• word is that the midges are in full flight for a couple of hours each evening - so please ensure that all Scouts bring with them an adequate supply of insect repellant and/or cream.

Raven Gill Camp Site

Camp Site Map

We will be camping on sites 13 and 14 - near to the toilets, showers and Camp Site Warden.

Code of Conduct

All Scouts will be expected to follow the Code of Conduct whilst on Summer Camp

A Scout must not harm anybody either verbally or physically

A Scout is loyal to their community and to the worldwide organisation

If somebody feels as though they can’t do anything, they must have courage.

A Scout has to realise that they are a mixed group and should respect each other

Scouts should always do their best

Scouts should be trustworthy

A Scout works hard and works cooperatively

A Scout cares for, not only their possessions and property but also for others

A Scout is punctual and prepared

A Scout is happy and always has fun

A Scout must be friendly

A Scout should listen, learn and think

A Scout never says no to a challenge and joins in on all activities

A Scout must help others and look out for others in their patrol

A Scout must dress appropriately for occasions and be proud of what they are wearing.

A Scout should be helpful

A Scout should be honest

All Scouts should treat each other as equals

Summer Camp Details

Raven Gill: Saturday 18th – Saturday 25th August

The Summer Camp plans are now finalised - this update is either a reminder for those who’ve been to the Parents Brief or a run-through of what’s going on etc for those who couldn’t make the meeting.

There: We will meet at the Hut at 12.30pm on the 18th; all Scouts must be in Full Uniform on the Saturday morning [including Scout trousers]. Can you please also make sure that your son/daughter etc is wearing their hiking boots – that way we can be sure that they’ve got them! We will be stopping on the way up there but I’d suggest that the Scouts have their lunch before arriving at the Hut rather than bringing a packed lunch. 

Transport: We have hired Mini-buses for the week and a van to transport the gear to/from camp.

Usual Camp Rules apply – camp ‘day’ uniform is shorts not jeans – we also suggest that your son/daughter wears either their boots or sandals first thing in the morning as trainers get wet from the dew and they never. No nylon type tracksuit bottoms please as we will be cooking on fires during the week so no flammable materials please. We also actively encourage the Scouts to apply plenty of sun lotion/cream if needed – if they do happen to get sunburnt we will ensure that they cover up next time! Please also ensure that insect repellent is included in their personal 1^st Aid Kit

Cake: We’ve added a cake to the Kit List – this helps to keep costs down – we use the cakes for ‘pudding’ etc – if you want your cake tin back please mark it clearly – also if it contains fresh cream please make that clear to one of the Leaders – for obvious reasons!! Also Tea Towels – as opposed to Tea Towel – a week is a lot of washing/drying up – 3 preferably.

We also stipulate that ‘breakables’; phones, cameras, MP3 players, etc. are left at home – there is no reception on any network at the campsite, although there is a telephone on the site if for some reason your son/daughter wants to phone home. We do a full kit inspection on Sunday morning – any phones, i-pods etc will be confiscated and given back when we return to Crewe.

Behaviour: The Scouts have also drawn up a ‘Code of Conduct’ for behaviour etc – we will be abiding by this at Camp – a copy of the Code of Conduct is also posted on the Blog.

Sweets/goodies: please don’t send your son/daughter with excessive amounts of ‘treats’ – we do provide the Scouts with a balanced menu also ensuring that they have enough energy type foods for the activities we are planning. As mentioned above we plan to carry out a full kit inspection and any excessive amounts of sweets etc will be removed and returned at the end of the week.

Medication: If your son/daughter is taking any medication can I please ask that you give this to one of the Leaders in a clearly labelled bag with relevant instructions, you must also indicate what medication your child has [including paracetamol etc for headaches] on their pc form.

We will run a Camp Bank during the week so that money doesn’t get lost.... if you want to put some money in an envelope and mark it with your sons/daughters name and the amount in it on it we’ll look after it and they can ‘withdraw’ cash when the bank is open! Alternatively you could pay a little extra with the camp fees and I’ll put that in the ‘bank’. Please note that this year we’re imposing a ‘cap’ on camp bank – maximum amount is £20 – I’d appreciate it if camp bank money is in small amounts – not a £20 note!

Programme: We’ve got planned; a day hike, trips to the beach including our version of the Olympics, the usual Patrol Cooking Competition and a trip to Flamingoland + the normal camp type events!

Finally Back: If all goes to plan we’ll be leaving Raven Gill after lunch. However it’s obviously not easy to predict what time we’ll arrive back in Crewe with bank holiday traffic etc – we do have a plan though – and it’s worked before. I will keep in touch with Roger who is the home contact. I suggest you give Roger a ring [01270 569059] about 3pm on the 25th and he should be able to tell you our expected arrival time back at the Hut.

Needless to say if you’ve got any problems/queries etc please either give me a ring or email me.

I think that’s about it – here’s to a great Camp!