County Scout Camping Competition

County Scout Camping Competition

17th-19th June 2011

It all started as an idea to camp a few Scouts at the County Cub camp so they could witness traditional Scouting in action. This soon developed into a full blown Scout Camping Competition!

Anyway the team set about selecting representatives from each District this ranged from their own camping competition and the resurrection of some very old District Trophies, one in particular that stands almost eight feet tall!!!! Well it’s quite big.

Prior to our event we had six teams, one from each District and plenty of challenges revolving around an original Scouting theme, orienteering, bivi building, first aid, tent pitching, whittling and backwoods cooking.

All was set all we needed was the weather unfortunately, we did get the weather however it wasn’t exactly what had been ordered. Heavy rain over a good part of the early weekend. The good bit was, the young people were well trained and disciplined which helped to keep them all in good spirits.

The weekend was judged on everything the Scouts did during the weekend starting with how they set up their camp site on the Friday evening, this was followed by building a camp gadget before bed.

Saturday morning was a little wet so the inspection was quite important, checking that the site would withstand any further rain. Every meal was judged in respect of hygiene and quality with the ingredients being drawn from an identical central store for each patrol, so breakfast was an important session.

Saturday saw each patrol complete four challenges and an evening session on the air rifle range again adding to the points tally.

Sunday morning took the Scouts back in time with an early morning PT session (yes for points) before breakfast and inspection (more points).

Two more challenge sessions before Sunday lunch and then after lunch a quick tot up of the points to see who had won the new County Camping Competition trophy.

The trophy had been dedicated to Andi Bull who was a Scout Leader who had lost his battle against cancer in 2010 and his parents Bob and Lin had kindly agreed to present the trophy. Finally the points had been added and the teams were gathered for the presentation. Glendon District represented by 1st Kettering Scouts had accumulated the most points closely followed by the other five Districts.

Overall a great effort by all the Districts’, demonstrating that traditional Scouting is still being practiced across Northamptonshire.

Thanks to the District Leaders for organising a great event and special thanks need to go to Karen Malcolmson and Kim Pearce for allowing the Scout section to share their event.

I think we should do it all again next year!

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