Cub Camp 2015
Our weekend began when we all left school for our journey to Phasels. Gadget and Kaa had gone ahead to put up the marquee and start to set out the site. To the yard next to hitch the trailer and we were off. A good journey just about 2 hours and we were there. Shortly after arrival our dinner was delivered, sausage and chips for all. On with putting up tents and setting up site. The Cubs moved into their tents and got changed for bed.
After a cold night everyone was up nice and early and ready for adventure. Teams were sorted out and the first two groups set off for the crate stacking activity whilst the remaining groups perfected their pioneering skills, revising knots and learning how to do lashings and finally creating their own pyramid structures. The first two groups returned and set a challenge of 15 crates by Barnaby. After some freetime to explore the cubs started their eqyptian craft, making bags to collect their booty, cartouches, necklaces. More freetime and then lunch and the 2nd and 3rd groups went off to try and beat the crate stacking record. The girls out- performed the boys with Lucy on 16 crates and Daniella on 15. Our last activity for the day for the zip wire. Harnesses on and they were off, one at time whizzing down the course. Dinner and campfire and wide games followed, then it started to rain.
After a wet night and early breakfast, the first two groups got ready to go Kayaking. A quick jaunt in the minibus to the Canal to meet the Instructor. After some safety games and instruction it was onto the canal. Amid much laughter and screaming, the cubs were lifted into the canal for a paddle about. They were taken down stream where they performed some rafting up manoeuvres and played games.
A bit more paddling and time was called, whilst no body fell in, the cubs were sent into change and get warm before the return journey home. Meanwhile back at the site, the Cubs made mummies and learnt how to look after their tents and equipment and some good camping practices. Lunch was served and the cubs swopped and the next groups were ready to go. The sky was clouding over but the threat of rain seemed a long way off. The next groups were in the water and had paddled and drifted further due to the strong breeze that had sprung up, when suddenly the sky went dark and there was a huge thunderstorm and rain drops the size of hail. Thankfully, no lightning as that would have been the end of the kayaking. Storm over, the Cubs returned very wet and cold. Strangely by the time they had all changed and were back in the bus ready to return home, the sun came out and it was glorious we were able to dry out coats etc. whilst waiting. Jane and Christine surpassed themselves for dinner and we were treated to an eqyptian feast of chicken kebabs, rice and pitta breads. Some of the cubs switched into costume. (Have you ever seen King Tut with wellies?) This evening we once again lit the fire and cooked sausages and marshmallows. This was one of our Kent Challenge activities. Supper and bed followed.
Monday dawned with sunshine and warm weather and no trace of the previous rain. The Cubs packed their kit and set off for the Cresta Run. This is a go kart downhill track. The course runs quite fast and the Cubs were able to go many times racing each other down the hill. Even Akela, Kaa, Rama and Christine had a couple of races. Time was over all too soon and after a packed lunch, scouts own and birthday cake (Sam and Alfie were 9) it was time to load and return home. Gadget and Point Five arrived and we all set off. About half way round the M25 disaster struck. The trailer on the bus had a tyre blow out. Thankfully it didn’t cause any danger to the bus itself but we all pulled over in convoy. We alerted the Police who put us on camera and sent out the Highways Agency to support us and put out signs alerting the traffic. The Cubs found the whole experience quite exciting but for the leaders it was a whole new terrifying experience. 20 odd children on the side of a busy M25. Thank goodness for all that training. The Cubs and Scouts behaved brilliantly and Baggy and Point Five had soon changed the tyre and we were on our way again. Due to the delay however we had to make an unscheduled stop at Thurrock. We all arrived home safe, late but exhausted.
My thanks to all the Leaders who helped with Camp and thanks to all the Cubs for a very enjoyable weekend. The Cubs have all achieved so much and badges will be on their way shortly.
