The Group Camp (previously Fathers’ and Sons’ Camp) has been going strong for a number of years now and is always a big success. Even when, three years ago, it rained solidly, the leaders did a fantastic job of keeping everyone entertained. The 2003 camp - as you can see from the pictures - had glorious weather and even more fun filled games for all.On arrival, the first job was putting up the tents for the cubs and scouts. Curiously there are no complaints when the parents discover there’s no canvas for them, just a nice warm hall complete with rubber mattresses.
Dinner was served in an adjoining hall where typically the leaders and assistants prepare the food and the parents clear up and wash up afterwards. It’s a rare sight seeing so many Dads in the kitchen and they’re not just there to see what cold beverages are in the fridge.
After dinner there’s a few games before the youngsters scurry off to their tents and the parents get down to a serious session of darts.
The next day, it’s not long before the parents find the volleyball court and are only dragged away for a game of rounders. In parallel, some of the youngsters are getting dragged along the wet and soapy bungy slide - great fun (courtesy of Clifford Smith).
The ingenuity and enthusiasm of the games organisers - largely Ian Miles, Karen Bauckman and Gavin Holtrop - can only be marvelled at. There was giant Kerplunck, giant tower of bricks, a minefield game, 3D Pictionary (using play-dough for the images), a gutter game, a padlock game, a plank crossing game, a Millionaire game, a Heffalump game, a balloon grab game, a dangley food game, a balloon stamp game, as well as old favourites like tug o’ war, musical chairs, football, etc.
By the end and thanks to the efforts of all the scout leaders and assistants, everyone had thoroughly enjoyed themselves; as can be seen by the smiling faces in the team photo below.The pictures on this page (taken by Colin Watts) illustrate the fun and games of the Family Camp.