You may remember that during last year’s May bank holiday, members of the 1st Bradley Stoke Scouts attended the district jamboree. This year they were at the Avon county jamboree with 4,200 young people from Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, the Guiding community and all their supporting adult volunteers.
Together they took part in activities across four themes – skill, adventure, world and outdoor – and climbed, caved, got wet, cooked food, fished, got muddy, made things, completed a colour run, stayed up late, took part in archery and air rifle shooting, learnt how to skin a rabbit, got up early, kayaked, jumped on bouncy castles, played human table football and pretty much didn’t sleep for four days.
Most importantly, they had fun and challenged themselves.
One hundred and five young people from all age groups attended, with some camping throughout and others attending just for a day. And supporting them, another 30 adult volunteers did the same.
The weather on the Friday evening was awful, with torrential rain turning the fields to mud. But food cooked by the Royal Marines made everyone feel better, and whilst everyone made a bee line for their tents, they also stayed up into the early hours. A camp wakes early and by 4.30am, everyone was up!
Over the rest of the long weekend, the weather improved, fields and people dried out and everyone had fun. There was even a flying visit (literally – in a helicopter) from the Chief Scout, Bear Grylls, which lifted spirits.
At the end of the camp, everyone helped drop the tents, pack everything away and take part in the closing ceremony. Then there were some tired young people – and quite a lot of tired adults – going home to hot showers and soft beds.
Do you fancy taking up the challenge? The group is always looking for more leaders to support and challenge our young people. For more information, have a look at the group’s website at bradley-stoke-scouts.org.uk/join
This article originally appeared in the June 2016 edition of the Bradley Stoke Journal news magazine, delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to 9,500 homes in Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke and Stoke Lodge. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.
