This year's summer camp was at Kibblestone International Scout Camp, near Stone in Staffordshire. We were on the Nut Hatches pitch, where we camped in 2008, this site is nice and self-contained, away from the main camp areas, but still close to the main buildings (although its a bit of a climb to get up there).

We had 10 scouts with us this time, divided into two patrols: Hippos and Rhinos.

Saturday - Set up camp

Arrived at Kibblestone at 2pm and pitched all the tents.

Sunday - Orienteering and patrol gateways

The Scouts were introduced to the Kibblestone site by doing an orienteering course, and spent their free time making gateways. The scouts were issued with their bright yellow "Fred the Crazy Moose" T-Shirts and the first boomerangs were made.

Monday - Climbing and abseiling

The scouts (and leaders) did climbing and abseiling with one of the local instructors. The Scouts also cooked for their patrols and the leaders!

Tuesday - Camp cooking

This was a day to do their own thing. Some tried to catch rabbits (the rabbits were fairly safe), we were visited by a mole in the mess tent.  The scouts made pizzas and welsh griddle cakes.  Scouts continued to build their rafts and camp gadgets.  They also played volley-ball and a wide game.

Wednesday - Low-ropes course

Low ropes course and we did a little camp cooking, making twists and popcorn on the camp fire.

Thursday - Rafting and fish supper

The rafts they had been designing and constructing all week, were honed in to mean, sleek racing machines. We carried them down to the mill pond for some fine tuning and the big launch. There were two competitions: a race and a raft war. We followed it up with a fish and chip supper, camp-fire songs and s'mores.

Friday - Boomerangs, investitures and assault Course

The boomerangs were cut out, the aerofoils sanded, then decorated and varnished. It was time to try them out. Points were awarded for getting the boomerang to swoop, return and get back behind the starting line. Points were not being awarded for decapitating scouts (at least that's what the leaders claimed).

The Scouts decided they wanted to spend a night under the stars. So, they wrapped up well and lay out on a ground sheet: Ten in a bed...

Saturday - Pack up and break camp

Saturday morning, the scouts woke up at 5:40, decided it was too early and went back to sleep. They all stayed out for the whole night. We then worked hard to get the camp site cleared for close of camp at midday.

Send mail to HarpurHillScouts@tiscali.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: November 21, 2011