Gilwell Winter camp - Saturday 12 January

Very bleary, red-eyed Scouts got up from their tents at 07:30.  We walked over to the canteen for breakfast.  After issuing the wristbands (and being told about last night) the Scouts disappeared off to have a go at all the activities that had been laid on for them… quad bikes, climbing, Zorbing (rolling down a slope in a giant inflatable ball), high ropes, very high swing, dodgems, waltzers, Segway two wheeled vehicles (and I’ve never seen the off road versions before!), laser clay shooting, archery, simulator.  Many of them also took part in the very unofficial (but popular) mud slide out the back of the site.  The ground was already of very slushy proportions - and nothing was going to stay white - or clean - for long.

As leaders, we found somewhere warm and dry (and that sold coffee) and planned our summer camp and term programmes! We met for lunch to get the feedback on the day - and it would seem that the pace and the freedom (plus the lack of sleep) was starting to take its toll on the younger Scouts.  However, they bravely set off again in the afternoon to continue their enjoyment.

After tea, a couple of the Scouts went to bed very early - the pace was clearly too much for them.  As we made sure one was properly bedded down, we asked if he wanted another sleeping mat to further insulate him… which was when we found that he hadn’t unpacked one for last night (so in addition to Scouts talking all night, he would have had the cold ground further taking heat away from him)