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:

Follow photos, live videos and text updates on Twitter! Woop!

Right. It all works. Our JOTT Twitter feeds go in on the right hand column on this Blog.

But, If you simply follow us on Twitter instead, all the pics, videos and tweets (updates to you and I) will appear here as they happen! Simply keep logged on to www.Twitter.com/stotfoldscouts and we’ll post regularly! We promise! Oh, and we’ll also try to do a video update once an hour. Fingers crossed! Cheerio!

We Go Live at JOTT

Saturday marks a first for Stotfold Scouts. We’ll be taking part in JOTT 2009. A worldwide Jamboree On The Trail. We’ll be on this blog on Saturday Twittering, blogging and going live online with video updates.

Most of the updates will be via our very own Twitter page. The box on the right will contain all these regular updates as they happen, and will even let you know when a video is going live!!!

You may simply wish to view the happenings on our Twitter page instead. Up to you. We don’t mind either way

On your marks…

Morning Campers! With both the 2008 Summer camp and 2008 itself firmly in our memory, thoughts, planning and the ubiquitous meetings now turn to our 2009 Summer camp! Queue the wooping! We’ll all be singing our way to the Ross Wood Scout camp site near Herne in Kent this year. They have a web site (who doesn’t these days) www.rosswood.org.uk if you want to get a preview.

On a more notorious note, here are some early details for you:

The dates for the camp are Saturday 25th July to Saturday 1st August. We will be camping in patrols (made specially for the camp) and Scouts will have to cook in these groups using gas and open fires. There will be a meeting at the end of June for parents and Scouts where the Leaders will go over all aspects of the camp to get you all fully clued up. If you want to get the kit early whilst the sales are still on, download the 2008 one here. Or view it on our main site here

If you buy one thing now, then make it a pair of good waterproof boots. Your Scout will always benefit from them on camp and it is pays to get these well in advance and wear them in (blisters do not a good camp maketh). Always take a pair or two of walking socks with you when you buy boots (Or they’ll be too tight when walking). Waterproof boots are essential if it is wet and we insist that Scouts wear boots if then are using an axe (it protects the feet!). Also, of course they are very good when walking (hence the name).

It’s worth noting that members of the Scout Association get discount at Millets, or good discount stuff can be bought online here and here.

The cost of the camp is still £180 and all money must be paid by the end of May. You may pay money in at any time so don’t worry. We cannot accept cash (it falls through holes in pockets and it’s not easily recorded). Payment by cheque are the way forwards, so please made payable to 1st Stotfold Ridgway Scout Troop. Please put your cheque in an envelope and mark it with your Scouts name and Summer Camp. Those Scouts who are joining us at Easter (and anyone else come to that) can drop payments though Nick’s letterbox, otherwise bring them to the Scout meeting.

Phew, that’s all for now. The countdown begins!