Send your Summer Camp reports to: marplescouts@hotmail.com |
Copyright Togmedia 2002 |
Well, where do I start? From a leaders perspective, those nine days were not the start and end of Summer Camp, but merely the culmination of months of painstaking planning and preparation - hours spent discussing how best to run the various parts of the camp, buying or picking up equipment, packing buses, etc.. Perhaps the greatest success of the camp is that all the leaders agreed it was well worth all that effort! The Summer Camp Proper began with a 10pm coach ride on the party bus. Few people managed to get to sleep, and those that did certainly missed out on a lot of fun. With many attempting the gruelling all-nighter, morale was high even when we were forced to endure "The Full Monty". After a short wait in Weymouth we were on the ferry and the card-schools began. Pride was won and lost during the two-hour crossing. The rest of the Marple group gorged on the mugs of Coffee and Pepsi that were doing the rounds. Three refillable mugs between 40 seemed to be more than adequate! And finally we arrived in Guernsey, where Gipsy Telecom took over our mobile phones. Whilst most of the group ambled off on a leisurely walk to the campsite, some leaders were still working hard dropping off and looking after all the equipment was no mean feat, especially in a busy ferry port. Upon arrival at the site, patrols were assigned. I was disappointed that my PL was Ian Corbishley, but my APL assured me that there would still be the odd minute or two of free-time for fun. The tents began to go up, and after exploration of the local beach (Where we first realised that Guernsey had no waves), and a late tea, the Scouts were ready for bed. They were remarkably quiet. The few people left, stayed up to complete their "I've been awake for over 40 hours" badge, before retiring for a well-deserved rest. The Scouts were probably awoken by the sizzling of sausages in the Mess tent. Given that the Scouts didn't have fires, the leaders and explorers were "enjoying" doing all the cooking and washing up, which meant that the boys in Green had it incredibly easy for the first four or five days. Eventually, when enough wood had been collected, and when enough alter fires had become available, they were on their own, building fires and cooking their own sausages! (With varying degrees of success/blackness!) The patrol competition ran for the whole length of the camp, with morning inspection and daily competitions for the patrols to rack up points. Most patrols managed to sort themselves out for inspection, but I always felt that there was a distinct lack of straight lines, simplicity, synchronicity and minimalism! (Marplescouts.co.uk may even write a crib sheet for PL's to follow next year who knows?) The daily competitions included sign-making, Quoits (A game similar to volleyball played with a rubber ring), and a mini-Olympics, as well as being marked on how well they worked as a patrol to cook one meal. The hot weather throughout the week ensured we were tempted to the golden sands of Guernsey on a daily basis, but with no waves to jump around in people became less interested in the sea, and more interested in bronzing or playing beach games. Boules and the long-jump proved to be particular favourites, with the latter inspiring the development of high-tech jumping pits with all the attachments. The different techniques seemed to have little effect, with the competition dominated by the longer-legged scouts and leaders. We also found time to try out some sea-canoeing, which, it has to be said, is not all that different to river canoeing, except that even when the sea looked calm there were fast undercurrents it would have been easy to drift out to sea, and, we were told, the next bit of land we'd hit would be the USA. In about three weeks. Everyone seemed to enjoy it, though several of the afore-mentioned long-legged jumping champions found time to complain about how they couldn't fit in their boats properly. There is justice after all. Our day-trip to Herm, a small island near Guernsey, saw all 38 of us racing down the pier to catch our boat just in time. Herm offered a few tourist shops, a café and a few beaches. We ventured to the famous Shell beach (Famous where?), where we caught a few rays, made some sandwiches, and took the inevitable plunge into the icy waters. Most of us were glad that Pie hadn't planned any morning swims if the water was this cold in the afternoon, what would it be like at 6am?! Whilst we were having plenty of fun amusing ourselves, we still found time to help the local community by helping to clear up the remains of the famous North show (Famous where? Don't ask me, but it is supposed to be famous). There had been talk that the ground would be awash with money from the rich people of Guernsey (House prices start at £500,000), but it was not to be. Instead, we scrabbled around clearing the park to gain about £3.54, an Ericsson hands-free set, a bag and some parts of a broken Action man toy. However, we were also given a cash donation from the organisers to help us to enjoy the rest of the holiday more. Parts of the camp were spent on site, with the Scouts amusing themselves with the usual sports (cricket, football, etc) and with the knife and axe award, that teaches them how to be responsible with knives, saws, axes and other camp implements. The explorers were often found playing cards (can't they think of anything better to do?!) but were also victors in the famous Network vs. Explorers football match (though I should really point out that the Explorers had some four extra players!) The camp was taken down in record time on the last day, allowing for everybody to get dropped off at the port by the minibus rather than having to stick to the original plan of everybody walking, as there wouldn't be time for four pick-ups. The ferry home was uneventful, with many taking the opportunity to sleep, especially given that they weren't allowed outside due to the gales - the leaders were scared some of the lighter ones would be blown away! The coach trip home was unusual we must have stopped at three different service stations along the way, and not one person bothered to stretch their legs, buy a coffee, go to the toilet, or even blow all their money in the arcades! Everyone seemed happy to stay and sleep in the less than comfortable (to sleep in at least!) coach. We arrived home safe and sound, happy that the responsibility for the scouts was finally being lifted from our shoulders after a tough week. As far as I know everybody had a stunning time, and the feat will be repeated next year, as long as there's waves next time! |
GUERNSEY 2002 |
Send your Summer Camp reports to: marplescouts@hotmail.com |
And now the full classified Summer Trip Diary Read By James Alexander Gordon........ Marple Scouts Guernsey Summer Trip 2002 Sunday 18th Set off on the Midnight party bus at 10pm stopping at services every two hours. A cheer every hour on the hour from the back and the 40 hr no sleep game was well into it's 20th hour by the time the video was put on. Monday 19th Not many slept and we get to the port around 5am and hang around. An Extremely Strict security check was imposed in case anyone should hijack the boat and hold their blunt penknife up to the captain and demand to be taken to the South of France instead, but the boat was soon off on a calm-ish sea. Some slept, others sat on deck and some used their refillable coffee mug a monstrous 18 times while on board. Guernsey was warm but dull and the campsite seemed okay. Some walked there - with Andy Spreck getting lost, while others drove there with John Dawson getting them lost. Camp was eventually set up in sunshine and then a walk to the beautiful Saline bay beach by evening and a quick dip in the freezing flat sea. Home and tea and bed. Tuesday Breakfast was laid on as we were cooking on gas and the activities started well with a big game of longball which my team won. After dinner of the usual sandwiches, apples, and crisps, the outing was to be to a tower nearby. The sun was scorching but we ambled over to the 18th century roundhouse fort built to help defend the island, although we did stop for the odd photoshoot and usual grumbling session. The parachute game was invented for all those utilising the team swim bag, and we eventually discovered a pier under a foot of water so most went and jumped into the cold sea performing such amazing feats as the plummeted into the water. After stopping for illegal refreshments (some Scouts) we continued round the bay to a sandy beach and entertained ourselves with the Tommy Togs Long Jump competition, more swimming and most dramatically the standing long jump competition won by Tom "cheating while drugged up to the eyeballs and being flukey" Ridgway. As we were constantly reminded though "everyones a winner". The walk back to camp, some more food cooked communally and again straight to bed I think. The leaders collected some wood from a joiners and the woodpile ensured fires would be going soon. Wednesday More communal breakfast cooking with the leaders continually on the wrong end of the washing up rota Adi Togs arrived with news of the outside world and the morning brought inter patrol quoits competition while the 8/9 Explorers took on 5 Network bad boys and beat them 10- 9 or something. Dinner and then our first trip to the Guernsey Capital St. Peters Port .Camp T shirts were distributed and Scouts managed to catch the first of the minibus trips, the leaders were once again on the wrong end of the Bus rota and had to walk most of the way. A few hours in the small town avoiding the scouts and then we were whisked off to another beach (cold and with no waves - as standard). A false start running into the sea (4 red lights have to go out - Duh), but soon we were all cold enough to play race to Pie and dunk him. He was dunked. Back home and more communal cooking as there was no time to set up fires. A wide game organised by the Explorers went barely okay and everyone eventually settled for manhunt then cocoa followed by bed. Thursday A day on Cobo Beach was the masterplan along with sea canoing. We were up early and there for 9am as the first 7 out of 38 went canoing. Everyone eventually had their turn - which was a bit dull but the water was clear and inevitably cold and flat. Cricket under the cloudy bright sky took up some of the time while the rest was spent nursing Pinchy and Snappy the midget crabs. Boredom set in - Just as Andy Spreck set off to Jet back to manchester, and the calls to return to camp were eventually heeded. We walked home mapless but got there in the end. Fires were now erected and the massive workload taken from Team B and some of Team A's shoulders. A quiet late afternoon in camp as we were due to depart at 8.30 ish to the infamous Guernsey North Show. We got there, and played on the funfair, looked at the gambling tables and were really impressed by the 7 floats they had managed to decorate. The fireworks didn't go off with a bang and everyone lamented the absence of "Wotsits on E". A nice stroll home through the traffic jam, in the dark. Everyone back safely and everyone went to bed. Friday Following the North Show we had agreed to help clear up (Litterpick) for an undisclosed amount of cash and so were back at Saumarez park for 9 am trying to make litterpicking sound fun, exciting and exhilirating to all Scouts. I don't think they swallowed it. We did a good job but this must have been the lowest on the Fun-o-Meter all week. By 1 ish we cleared up and had done a surprisingly good job. I was impressed. Back along the same roads to camp past "Thians" Hair Salon and dinner. The afternoon and many were left to their own devices. A game of football which the network won this time followed by mini longball which the leaders won again. Woggle making was also an option. Tea was duly cooked on fires this time with everyone washing up for themselves - thank goodness. The Friday night wide game proved to be "a lot of fun" and many were impressed with the border guards impersonation of German commandoes, even the English General. The wide game mission left uncompleted as the scouts went for Cocoa biscuits and bed. Saturday A relaxed breakfats and a trip to St. Peter's port for all, the leaders once again drawing the short straw having to walk most of the way there. They put this right with chips and retail therapy before being told that their group would have to walk again to Petit Bot beach. Determined not to be ground down the rallying cry came in the form of cornetto's for all - the hill they walked up was soon forgotten - promises of a lift from the edge of the beach were also forgotten. Once there the section with the most seaweed in was chosen for us to swim in and this was the coldest water all holiday. Kareoke kept spirits high before the tide had nearly reached our clothes and everyone had to get out. A walk to an illusionary tower began and once we had discovered it wasn't there, we decided to walk to another. Twits bag was cleverly raided and the pick up point changed at the end of the 2km walk, for good measure. The concrete tower didn't impress many scouts and the first minibus had soon set off to visit the supermarket then home. An hour and a half later it returned to take the second load causing mass panic and confusion it would seem. Duckworth, meanwhile had retrieved his shoe from the middle of the gorse bushes and the leaders were making best use of Congruent sleeping technology. However it didn't go down too well when they were told they would have to wait again. The sun had already set. The eventually sulked and walked not at all impressed by the head of Logistics. On return most of the macaroni cheese had been eaten along with the bacon so they were quite happy to see the scouts go to bed. Sunday A boat ride to a nearby Herm and Tognarelli's "the end is Nigh" game. The crossing was pleasant and the walk to the infamous shell beach was okay. Shell beach once again surpassed all expectation having 3 waves in just 5 hours. Not many people swam but concentrated on burying other people or reading papers. Dinner then back to the beach. A wander round the tiny isle and back to the harbour for the return trip home. All safe and well and the walking group split more evenly this time. Back home for cooking tea and a magnificent campfire - the highlight must be the Ventures slot titled "Pop songs being sung in Gangshow style". Goodnight Scouts. Goodnight Explorers, Goodnight Team A and Lets go to bed ourselves Team B. Monday The last day was spent with a late breakfast for the leaders followed by a game of moody football which the good guys eventually won. A little game of defensive cricket and then lunch with those now sickening sandwiches. A trip back to the beginning and Saline bay was on the cards while some leaders began to pack up camp. The patrol olympics were held on the beach giving some fascinating performances. Time marched on and we marched home this time entering camp by the back door and saving ourselves 3 minutes at least, - this was wisely spent picking up twigs and sticks on our litter sweep. Camp was dismatled and put away far too swiftly as The Networkers dropped 7 tents in 15 minutes. The rest of the time was spent "Faffing" and despite another troop annoying our Explorers, they stuck to their task. We reached port eventually where cards were in full flow and our boat had been delayed. Moving and tagging bags was a nightmare but eventually someone knew what was going on and we managed to board our ship. A sleepy crossing, although some had fun with the kids colouring sheets and others stood on deck.. Land Ahoy captain and we were soon onboard the coach driving home. Everyone slept despite stopping at services - no one could be bothered getting off. Tuesday Arrived in Marple bleary eyed at about 7am and put the stuff away. Parents were called, prizes awarded and by 9:10 it was all over for another year. Debriefing began at 09:15 Tuesday Morning. Many are still trying to come to terms with what happened.that week and most could not say if they could return to a Summer Trip again. Any Problems or Mistakes? - write your own article Marplescouts@Hotmail.com |
