34 Scouts, 5 Young Leaders and 14 Leaders took part in the Outdoor Challenge, Outdoor Plus and Survival Camp at Hesley Wood. Everyone arrived at 6.30pmish and pitched tents and set up camp. After a mix up of poles (how did they do that) changed into camp dress and on to a Wide Game ran by the Young Leaders (YL's), then back to base for hot dogs and hot chocolate with the 1st taster of who would be the 1st in the queue for seconds after 'Digger' (82nds Dave)! Saturday morning breakfast of bacon egg and toms cooked by the leaders (well we wanted them to have at least one edible meal inside them each day). Then the surprise Kit (no we didn't inspect the Explorer Leader) Inspection (it shouldn't have been because we told them it was going to happen, but it still seemed a surprise to some),  after 6 hours of washing the potts Shaun and YL Nick from the 32nd led away all the entrants for the Outdoor Cooking Competition (separate report to follow), Whilst Meat (82nd Paul) and Chris from the 25th took 7 Scouts daft, er we mean enthusiastic enough to want to do their Survival Skills Badge to start surviving looking for berries and acorns for lunch (yum) and start building their bivouacs.

In the afternoon with the Scouts fed from the meals they'd cooked on open fires during the Cooking Competition and the Survival Skills Scouts feasting on berries and acorns 10 Scouts on the Outdoor Plus Challenge joined the Survival Skills Scouts to build their bivouacs and all 17 started to prepare a tea of rabbit and fish. Surprisingly the respective lunches didn't seem to have suppressed their appetites as they set about chopping rabbits heads off and skinning them with gusto (and an axe), the only moment of sadness being when it was realised one of the larger rabbits had been a pregnant female, but they soon got over this when Mini Skip stuck the axe in a rabbits bladder and covered Dan from 231st in rabbit tiddle. YL's Castleton (Luke) and Grashopper (Sam) joined in and passed on their expertise that had earned them both the Gold Chief Scouts Award. Meanwhile back in civilisation (if there is such a thing in a Scout Camp) the Outdoor Challenge Scouts prepared and cooked a tea of Corned Beef Hash with Hannah and Jamie (82nd). During the afternoon Peter & Dan (231st) guided & Rob (25th) 17 OC scouts to building camp gadgets of wash stands and towel dryers. Sadly at this point we lost Shaun with a bad back. YL's Des (Logan) and Princess (Domonic) instucted each OC Scout through their 'axe, knife and saw safety' whilst Digger had a watching brief. With full tummies yet again everyone met in the Camp Fire Circle and Digger stepped into Shaun's absent shoes (we wondered why he was walking funny) and led the camp fire much to everyone's amusement (some leaders are still laughing) and was joined by OC Scouts leading songs and sketches. (some say they were invited to do so as part of the requirement for the badge, some say it was so the leaders could have respite from laughing at, oops we mean with Digger, we'll probably never know). And so to Supper and bed, be it bivouac or tent.

Sunday morning's breakfast of sausage, scrambled egg and beans was cooked by OC Scouts, whilst the Survival Skills 7 made a meal of (well they didn't really, well not until about lunch time anyway, Bear Grylls eat your heart out) of kebabs & boiled eggs. After Breakfast we all gathered for a Scouts Own, which was joined in by everyone with most patrols and the YL's leading a part of the Scouts Own. After Dan, Dan & Pete (231st) supervised OC+ Scouts to building a Camp Gateway for their Pioneering Project, whilst Rob  & Digger took the OC Scouts to complete their Camp Site Service helping reshape and tidy the Buggy Track. After a Lunch of Sandwiches prepared by Jamie, Hannah, DC Jim and ADC Peter OC Scouts started to break Camp and OC+ were taken for 1st Aid by Peter Blakemore who had kindly fitted us in during a busy schedule. Rob then instructed the OC Scouts on some basic 1st Aid. Once the camp was down we held the Closing Ceremony which was concluded with a prayer from ADC Peter.

Thanks to all the Scouts who came and entered into the spirit of the weekend, (especially those honest ones that dirtied the toilets and then cleaned them voluntarily), Thanks to all the Leaders for mucking in and just making it one team making sure it all happened, Ed (who appeared at night ate biscuits and left) and especially Jo (25th) for popping in and helping a lot. A very special thanks to the Young Leaders who worked their butts off (can we say that here, too late we have). We wish Shaun a speedy recovery.

Great weekend, great weather, great attitude and great comapny. Scouting at it's best. Thanks

B R A V O  BRAVO

Arriving at Hesley by 6.30pm Fri 19th and finishing at Hesley at 4pm Sun 21st.

Health Forms and any outstanding balances must be handed in on arrival.

Menu and programme will be issued to Leaders on arrival.

Have a good weekend.


Down load Kit List below or click link for download

The third running of the Soap Box Derby will take place in Longley Park on 11th October starting at 10pm, with the usual Midday finish.

The rules are simple, the Soap Box needs to be safe to run with no sharp bits, have a working braking system and the wheels need to be protected if there is any chance of a Scout putting a hand into the wheel whilst running.

A safety helmet must be worn at all times the Soap Box is in motion, Scouts should wear long sleeves and long trousers and preferably gloves, knee and elbow pads. Thick coats and jeans are tough and ideal for this event.

Steve will be available to inspect your Soap Box the week prior to the event by arrangement and his decision is final as to whether the Soap Box is safe to run or not, so prior inspection is advisable to avoid disappointment on the day.

The event is for Scouts, but if Explorers want to enter a couple of teams in their own race they can be accommodated.

Check out video of last years event, courtesy of 32nd Stocksbridge

This will take place on Saturday 20th September at Hesley Wood, teams of 4-6 will prepare and cook on an open fire a bag of food given to them, marks as usual will be on hygiene, preparation, quality of food, organisation and cleaning up etc We start cooking at 10am and expect to be finished for judging by high Noon. Entries need to be in by Friday 12th September and the entry fee for each team is £4. Entries need to be sent to Shaun Case at the 32nd who will be organising the event for the District this year.

Alter fires and food will be provided, but other equipment you may wish to bring with you are utensils, dixies of different sizes, frying pans, cutlery, axes/saws (to be used by scouts qualified with axe/knife/saw safety certificates or under strict supervision of a leader), washing up equipment, preparation equipment etc There is a supply of wood at Hesley, but collecting it could be time consuming, so you might be better bringing your own supply.

Ready, Steady, Outdoor Cook

Click for Entry Form