CENTENARY CAMP 2007

This camp was held at Manby Showground on 25th - 28th May. Steve and myself arrived at around 4 pm and the camp had been marked out and the main tents had been erected. We put our own tent up so we were free to help the kids. We also put up a patrol tent so they had some where dry to store there kit incase it rained.

After setting up camp we went on a walk and arrived back at camp at around 11 pm. We had a biscuit and the kids went to bed however some still talking at 2am then up again at around 5am there were some tired children on Saturday.

Saturday was the day to go sailing or kayaking over at Covenham. Steve, myself and Boggits gang arrived at Covenham to prepare for the first arrivals. The first groups turned up 12 for kayaking and 12 for sailing. This went well. The first lot left and the second arrived again 12 in each group, by this time the weather had started to deteriorate and the wind started to build up. We had our first capsize in this group, but they still enjoyed every minute of it. The third group the Skegness Sea Scouts was the afternoon session by which time the wind was quite stone, but with the experience they had they coped well.

For those that stayed on site there were plenty to do with allsorts of crafty things to do to experiments. In the evening after tea the kids just lazed around and was soon found in there tents fast asleep which gave us leaders and helpers a chance to have a well earned break. The rain started to come.

Sunday morning brought the bad weather with heavy rain and in the afternoon wind. The kids were damp but there spirits were high and again enjoyed a fun filled day with the activities that had been arraigned.

With the rain and wind gaining we had discussions whether the camp should come to an early end or whether we should ride it out. Having a chat with the lads from Sea Scouts they all wanted to stay. With this in mind we were busy fastening the tents and re-pegging them down.

The street party that was organized was now held in the mess tent. The rain stopped for a while and the fun began again with a disco and fire works. Getting very squelchie underfoot the kids headed off to bed. After the leaders checking and re fastening some of the tents that had been loosened by the wind we finally returned to out tents just after midnight. Laying there listening to the wind buffeting the tent I finally fell asleep, but not for long as a small voice coming from outside the tent saying that the wind had blown his tent in.

Getting out of our warm sleeting bags Steve and myself raced over to sort it out. After getting it sorted we looked and sorted other tents and found the venture scouts sorting there tent. With only getting a couple of hours sleep and the weather not improving and the condition of the ground it was decided to end the camp early. The kids slept through all the turmoil and we finally started to wake at around 7.30am, getting them to get there kit together whilst breakfast was being sorted then phoning round to get the parents to pick them up early. With the kids in the dining tent we started to take the tents down that hadn't been blown down.

Even with all the rain and wind the kids still went home with a smile on there face and an experience that will be remembered for many years to some.