The Scouts, aged between 10 and 13 took part in a whole range of exciting activities, including Coasteering, Surfing, Hiking, and Crate Stacking (A fun team building exercise which involves trying to build a stack of crates whilst staying on top of it – much more difficult than it sounds). The troop also spent a day at the Eden Project near St Austell where they learned about our UK connections to the tropical rainforests of the world.
During the hike, some of the group even got an unplanned safety talk from the Coastguard after they witnessed the rescue of two stranded Kayakers by the Coastguard and RNLI
As well as enjoying all these special activities, the Scouts also had to look after themselves for the week. Under the supervision of the leadership team, they put up their own tents, cooked for themselves and generally maintained the campsite – learning and practicing many basic life skills, including team leadership, map reading, chopping wood and cooking – even tasks as simple as buttering bread for the first time.
Camp leader, Piers Hallihan said “All of our training through the year builds up to this camp, the Scouts get an opportunity to put into practice the skills they’ve been learning in the Scout Hall and grow together, as a Troop, as small teams and as individuals. Our young people did Scouting in general and Cowbridge in particular proud. Everywhere we went, from the campsite to the Eden Project, and on our regular trips to the beach, people were complimenting us on the behaviour and attitude of the Scouts. It was really great to be involved”
Pete Gardner, helping out as an adult leader for the first time, said, "It was absolutely amazing to see the difference in many of the scouts as they were learning to take responsibility for themselves and others for the first time. Having the opportunity to learn those kinds of skills in such a fun, supportive and adventurous environment will clearly affect them positively for the rest of their lives. It was such a pleasure to be able to be there and be part of the experience, I would encourage any other adults who can spare an evening every now and then to contact 1st Cowbridge scouts and get involved"
The feedback from the Scouts and parents has been just as good. One Scout, after a very long day’s hiking around the Cornish coast said, “I normally hate walking but this has been awesome, we saw so much cool stuff!”
One message really sums up the aims of Scouting. From a parent, “Thanks for Scout Camp my son really enjoyed it and returned a far better person”
The camp was made possible by the hard work of an awful lot of Scouting volunteers and with the support of local businesses. Particular thanks to Ysgol Y Deri in Penarth who came to the rescue with the loan of a minibus when Cowbridge school were unable to assist and to OBI Camping who donated a large mess tent which became the centre of the camp, providing a kitchen, dining room and general meeting area.
