In the video you can see the camp site in the rain (just for a change), the Beavers and Cubs making their pirate equipment, the BBQ and finally the full camp fire.

The video lasts about 40 minutes and does take a moment or two to load when you click play, so please be patient!

There is a shorter version on YouTube – click here

]]> http://porthillscouts.org.uk/site/?feed=rss2&p=659 3 http://porthillscouts.org.uk/site/?p=653 http://porthillscouts.org.uk/site/?p=653#comments Tue, 06 Jul 2010 22:06:35 +0000 Nick Wood http://porthillscouts.org.uk/site/?p=653 Last night was the Group’s Annual General Meeting.

As well as the ‘formal’ stuff, awards were given out. It was pleasing to see three Beavers get their Chief Scouts Bronze Award and the Cub of the Year Award presented (we really need to have Beaver and Scout awards as well!).

But it was also pleasing to see a A Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service given to the Group Treasurer.

Congratulations to you all.

More photos in the Gallery

Everyone arrived on the Friday evening (the majority of families having put their tents up the previous nights) and we soon started the weekend’s programme. First was a walk around the campsite as many people had never visited Barnswood before. This was followed by one of Paul’s special wide games! After this chaos subsided, it was time for supper and bed – where did the evening go?

Explaining the Wide Game

Saturday morning brought the rain! After cooking breakfast for 105 people (the most we’ve ever had on a camp!), we split into two groups. The Scouts and their parents lit fires and did some pioneering, while the Beavers, Cubs and their parents went down to Rudyard to go on the Lake on Bell Boats. To say it rained a lot would be an understatement and we got wetter from the rain than the lake!

Bell Boating

After lunch the Scouts went on the lake and the Beavers and Cubs got themselves painted with pirate faces and learned how to make secret messages, how compasses work and made their own telescopes.

Creating Secret Messages

By this time the rain had stopped and we prepared the BBQ. The BBQ was a huge success and we must have cooked well over 150 burgers and sausages!

Men BBQing (Rachael supervising obviously)!

Then it was time for part 2 of the wide game, a general knowledge quiz with questions for both adults and children (can you name the Titanic’s sister ships and do you know which country Dora the Explorer comes from?) and of course a campfire. The camp fire saw fine performances from a group of the Beavers and one of the Scouts did a solo turn. The rain even held off for most of it and just came on at the end. Then time for supper and bed.

The Campfire

Sunday began a bit more leisurely and after breakfast and flag break we held a Scouts Own and then invested one of the Beavers.

Beaver Investiture

Then it was a few quick games and activities, then packing and tidying, lunch, more packing and tidying, the close of the camp and home!

More photos are in the gallery.

The Scouts spent an evening a Kidsgrove Group’s climbing wall.

The Cubs spent an evening investigating Westport Lake.

And the Beavers spent an afternoon playing football.

You can see photos of all these activities in the Gallery.

All the Cubs have now completed this badge – congratulations to them all.

More photos in the gallery

Many thanks to all who came and huge thanks to Sharon who organised it and Natasha who stayed all day!

First of all, he presented a Chief Scout’s Gold award to the first Scout in the Troop to achieve this award since we restarted the Troop in 2007.

Then it was three Chief Scout’s Silver awards for three Scouts who had achieved their awards before they left Cubs.

Finally Don was presented with his Ten Years Service award.

Congratulations to them all!

All the money is finally in and counted and we’re pleased to announce that they raised a whopping £485.64 for the charity!

Well done to all who took part.

Well done to all the stars of the video.

Many thanks to Rich for the filming and editing.

As well as the usual item we had a couple of special ones.

When it came time to elect the Group Executive Committee each of the committee members got given a hat to show who they are and what jobs they did. Nick ended up wearing three! Group Scout Leader, Group Chairman & Group Secretary. He’s been relieved of one of these already.

After all the official stuff was done, we had some awards to give out. The first, and most important, was the Cub of the Year Award. This is given every year to one of the older Cubs who will be moving on to the Troop soon. The award is given to the Cub who excels in all they do throughout the year.

The next award was a surprise as Sharon, our Cub Leader was given her 25 Years Service Award. The District Commissioner gave her the badge and certificate and the Group gave her a bunch of flowers, a framed photo of all the Leaders and a bottle of wine! The flowers were presented by David Wood who recruited her to be an Assistant all those years ago, the photo was presented by the Cub who got the Cub of the Year Award and the wine by Nick as Group Scout Leader. She was most surprised we’d done anything!

Next came John our Assistant Scout Leader who was presented his Woodbadge. This now means we have 5 Leaders in the Group with their Woodbadge – the most we’ve ever had!

Finally Nick our GSL has been awarded the Award for Merit.

Well done to all and the rest of the photos are in the Gallery.

The Beavers walked around the larger lake and then the small one and then played some games while the Cubs walked around the large lake four times.

We’re not sure how much money the Beavers and Cubs raised yet, but we’re sure they have raised a considerable amount. All had a great evening out.

Enjoy!

Over the weekend they have learned how to use knives and axes properly, make shelters and about knots and lashings.

Fire lighting

They also explored the camp, had a scavenger hunt and played many games.

A great weekend was had by all and it didn’t even rain!

Photos are in the Gallery.

They haven’t finished yet however! They will continue with the badge over the next few weeks!

More photos are in the Gallery.