Scouts for sail

This camp wasn’t wet enough for us. Not wet enough at all. So it was a good job then that we spent the penultimate day on the rather lovely Sheerness coast off the Isle of Sheppey.

After a cool, calm and collected briefing by Rear-Commodore Alan Thomas and his team at the IOS Sailing Club, we enjoyed a fabulous day of Sailing and power-boating. Everything from sailing solo or pairs in the entry-level Laser Pico boats, to being taken out in bigger Bosun Sailing Dinghies by the Sea Cadets. And taking a 2 mile trip out across the Thames estuary on the fast, motor safety-boats to see the masts of the sunken SS Richard Montgomory. A memorable day ended in a VERY wet game of waterpolo at low-tide, along with a VERY wet phone camera – so no photos of that; oops.

Finally, John & Anton attempted Ben Fogle and James Cracknell’s famous Atlantic crossing, but without the correct boat for men of their stature…

Going, going…

Gone… (after the actual capsise, I was too busy laughing to take the shot)

Aftersun

Following the beach, timeto chill out, eat and make a tyre-swing.

Life’s a beach

Sun. Time to take advantage of it, and head off to one of the many lovely beaches along the Kent costline. Margate was our choice, holiday destination of countless Brits every summer. And so ensued a day of beach vollyball, paddling, burying people in sand, and catching Jellyfish for the Scouts, and sunbathing for Anton (who’d been up since half four).

So the camera was given out to the Scouts today whilst Graham tried to get on the blog under a towell – and still failed – so was FORCED to go to the beach bar and connect up to upload. Anton had to get up to take over supervising instead, whilst the Scouts were busy playing and taking the photos below.

Oh yes, and we all had chips out of the wrappers with a sprinkling of sand for lunch. Yumyum.

Blue Monday

Rain. One of life’s certainties on a camping trip. Even more so on a Scout camp. So being prepared – as is our motto – we headed off for some fun out of the sun; in  Ramsgate ‘pool. Arriving at a small pool with 25 Scouts and 3 leaders, meant one very happ pool manager. Who announced “You’ve just doubled our takings! Thank you!” No problem…

Obviously we don’t have any photos, but pre-rain, here are the Leaders in their alter-egos for the week, a photo of guest leader Georgina trying to get a twitter signal to keep you updated, and a photo of some fire (well, it’s not camp without fire, is it?)

Field day

The weather held off, and camp was set up in the dry. Finding the few ‘flat’ areas to pitch, we began setting up the site.

Photos from the epic journey

Well, day three, and we can finally post. Aas this is the first time I can post, I’ll have to take time out from the tough job of supervising them in the Ramsgate swimming pool, instead sat in the cafe updating this. So here’s some photos of our trip here!

  

Sorry. Please try later.

It may come as a shock. But in the middle of the countryside woodland, internet access is somewhat, well, limited. We’ve got the best technicians we could find working on the problem. So that’ll be 11 year olds then. If it can’t be sorted, we’ll send the blogmaster into town tonight to pick up a better signal. Until then. Fear not. Weather’s good. And food is even better.

Sunday. Day of rest? Not likely.

We’re here! Finally!

To be fair, we’ve been here since about half 2. But we’ve been busy pitching tents and setting up camp. Dinner’s on now. We’ll post again soon. Over and out.

And we’re…

…stopped. Again. The jewel in the english transport crown that is the m25, is nigh-on stationary. We’re moving. But even Trevor is getting impatient. ETA? Sometime today. Hopefully.

24 hours till camp begins!

Well, slightly less. But this time tomorrow we’ll be in Herne Bay’s Ross Wood campsite, and starting the 2009 Stotfold Scouts’ summer camp – The other leaders and myself can’t wait!

Remember to bring their money, and count it out well. So we’ll see you tomorrow at the Scout hut!

And the winner is…

Ryan Bryne! Well done! His was the winning entry in the 2009 Summer Camp T-Shirt competition.

See his design below, and below that, as it appears on the new Leader’s polo shirts for camp: