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No one in
Bedfordshire Scouts had seen anything like it. It was the record
breaking county camp of the century. Nearly 3000 adrenalin-charged
youngsters (and their leaders) having a feast of fun, adventure and
challenge for a thrill-packed 72 hours over the May Bank Holiday.
Eighteen
months ago the organisers sat down with a blank sheet of paper, a vision
and a prayer. By camp day the vision had turned into a welter of 160
exciting activities, a tented village of 2,300 souls, 600 visiting
Beaver Scouts and enough entertainment to keep everyone going for three
whole days.
Caddington Cub Scout Bradley opens Beds
Camp 100 by
breaking the Camp Flag on Saturday Morning
An ex-DC
from Lea Valley overheard a lay helper saying, “I had a marvellous
weekend. I was thrilled that people could put together such a wonderful
event. I have fond memories of kids full of excitement and enthusiasm
and an atmosphere of enjoyment that I have not seen for many a year.”
Luton's Mayor visits the Australian Sub
Camp
And the
county’s VIPs came to marvel. They included Dunstable mayor Cynthia
Gresham, South Beds vice chair Beryl Meakins, Luton mayor Julian Wates,
mayor of Linslade Mark Freeman and deputy speaker for Bedford Borough
Council Randalph Charles. One summed up their feelings when she said, “I
have never seen anything like it. This was the biggest salute ever to
the youth of the county and a great tribute to the many leaders and
volunteers who made it all possible.” Another added, “I have great
admiration for the Scouts but the sheer scale of this operation takes
your breath away.”
Just
entering the camp gates was an experience. The first thing that hit you
was the noise as nearly 3000 excited voices take part in some of the
most energetic activities around. Then there were the wafts of wood
smoke and the mouth watering smell of 3000 breakfasts of sizzling egg,
bacon and sausage frying over a fire in the open air.
Lea Valley's Australian Themed Camp Gate
There
were also all the activities – 160 of them taking in challenge,
creativity, Scoutcraft, fun, international festivals, adventure and the
world about us.
These are
activities often banned at home or at school but encouraged by the
Scouts with just the right amount of control to make them safe. For some
youngsters this was the first time they had been away without their
parents and it was an experience they will remember for the rest of
their lives. They got wet, climbed trees, lit fires without matches,
abseiled down a cliff face, went caving, walked the plank, drove a quad
bike, used bows and arrows, carried out science experiments and had
their faces painted. And, at the end of the day, they all took part in a
traditional camp fire sing song.
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