WINTER WEEKEND 2003 21st - 23rd January |
You've got the right idea but its not quite that bad. |
Were YOU on the camp?? Send your official report to Winterweekend@marplescouts.co.uk Following an office draw concerning which lucky reporter would get to visit the Winter Weekenders on camp at Linnet Clough, I drew the longest straw. Unfortunately, the editor pulled out the short one, proclaimed his diary too full up to visit and as fate would have it, I was the only one with a spare moment in time. Thus, once again, this is an intrepid report from Marple Scouts very own Acting Supreme Comander of the Elves, Andy Togarelli. With Celebrity Leader fees rising for County Camps, Marple could only afford to send John Dawson on the camp to look after 12 Marple scouts (5 Kinder, 7 Kinder II / Cobden). The Spreskley Leaders had better things to do and according to John were "too Wimpy" to take part. It should be noted at this point that Mr Dawson went to sleep in his two sleeping bags with a hot water bottle at 11:20 pm on Friday night. Nevertheless, I arrived for my visit to the multiactivity camp at about 2 ish on the Saturday afternoon. The solitary marple fire was still burning in the windy weather. The grass was covered in mud but this didn't stop the scouts having fun. With climbing, shooting, archery, badgemaking and branding and all other activities on show they were well entertained, although many seemed to prefer hanging around the warm fire. The camping was slapdash and shoddy as numerous tents had been put up inadequately not to mention the idiots who put one up inside out Duh! As far as activities go the scouts did wander off occasionally to do stuff and entertained each other with tricks and japes Welshboy Graeme remembered for his "Stittle" eating, catching them in his mouth after throwing them 6 foot in the air impressive. Marple's very own leader was in charge of the volley ball court which was obviously well in demand in such "Winter" conditions, having people queue for at least nine hours to play in the muddy freezing conditions plus the ball was too heavy so you couldn't have a proper game if you tried. Marple scouts were seen winning one nil in super muddy hockey against another scout group, that was until a giant ball was rolled out and everyone decided it would be a good idea to play with that instead. Tea for one group was delightful Chicken Fajitas, while Cobden were lumbered with Fish fingers (which no one likes apparently) peas and mash. They were gearing up for a night on Hyde Town as I left. County had decided to clean all the lads up by booking half the leisure centre out but I would hate to see the mess and stink 200 scouts made as they entered the civilised world. Anyway, they all seemed to enjoy themselves and hopefully tried out some new activities while they were on one of the coldest camps of the year (which wasn't very cold this year). Some older scouts copped for it more than others, some scouts talked more than others (like at 5am in the morning) and some scouts got away with more illegal midnight feasts and fire parties than even John Dawson knew about. All's well that ends well. I'm just glad I returned home before it ended and before it rained on the Sunday they took everything down. No doubt they'll all be there next year. The Motley Cru: John Dawson Leader with Hot water bottle. Kinder II / Cobden Nippy Nolan - now an Explorer. Dan Pepper now an Explorer. Chris Greevy. Sean Redfearn alias Po. Johnathon "Dane" Bowers Oliver Hibbs. Someone else****** Kinder Richard Ellis Explorer?? Bryn (correct spelling??) Ellis Graeme Jones Matt (surname unknown) Johnny "Badboy" Bowler |