Scouts’ Survival Camp

Last Friday evening 19 Scouts and seven volunteer Leaders made their way from the relative civilisation of their homes and comfy beds, into the woods of Duke’s Covert just as a big thunderstorm rumbled its last, thankfully fading into the distance. It was here, amongst the ancient woodland, the singing birds and so it would turn out, a badger or two, that they would make home for the next two nights.

After flag break, a quick safety briefing from the Leaders and splitting into teams, the Scouts (and Leaders) set about building their shelters. The only equipment that the teams were given for the task was a bundle of cord and two plastic sheets measuring approximately 8’ x 4’. There were a few interesting variations on a theme and definitely some variations in build standards, but after the Leaders had ensured everything was safe and would get the teams through the forecast night of showers, the Scouts unpacked and set up their beds. Then it was off out into the woods for outdoor wide-games finishing up by the campfire for hot drinks and a snack before bed.

Most of the Scouts finally settled at around 2200 hrs but inevitably, the laughter and chat didn’t completely stop there, especially when some of the Scouts started sharing their ghost stories. Unfortunately (depending on your viewpoint) the weather conditions weren’t perfect, meaning the design and quality of the shelters were tested throughout the night by showers that passed through.

Up in the morning and after a quick ablutions break the teams were issued with mess tins, flint and steel, cotton wool, tin foil and a metal coat hanger, and each Scout was given bacon and a bread roll. Each team had to dig their own little fire pit and work out how to cook their bacon, not using the mess tins (which was for drinks only). Some ended up making a frying pan from the foil and hangers (which actually worked quite well!) while others cooked their bacon on a stick. All ended up having a pretty decent breakfast, with the Leaders ensuring nobody went hungry. Given the time that took, we didn’t have long before it would be necessary to start making lunch. For this, the Scouts were encouraged to come up with their own recipes from a selection of venison, beef, peppers, onions, whole sea bass, sweet potatoes and regular potatoes. We don’t do things by halves at Caythorpe Scouts! Some opted for kebabs. Some baked and steamed. Leader Gary showed them a hot smoker and all had a chance to have some smoked venison and fish. It was really impressive how they all worked in their teams to achieve their goal and even more impressive how they tried new foods that some had said they would never eat.

The rest of the afternoon flew by with more games and the Scouts making their own survival bracelets with built in flint, steel and whistles. Then our thoughts turned to our evening meal, with Scouts helping the Leaders cook pork casserole and BBQ chicken casserole with baked potatoes all cooked over the fire. Then it was time for another game, marshmallows, campfire and songs before bed. This time, it was a much quieter night.

More rain fell through the night, and despite some running repairs throughout the previous day, not all Scouts escaped completely dry. Fortunately, this was contained mainly to only those that had not been as focussed as they could have been on their shelter maintenance, so likely a lesson well learned.

Clearing the camp was cinch with no tents to dry and pack away. The Leaders provided breakfast of sausage baps whilst the Scouts took down their shelters, filled in the fire pits and swept the site for any rubbish or evidence of the camp. Then at 1030, after a quick debrief, parents and carers took away their muddy, smokey, weary Scouts, presumably for pressure washing off in the back garden before catching up on the King’s Coronation TV footage!

Hopefully the Scouts left having enhanced their physical and mental resilience, and learnt about some priorities of survival through some fun activities. Many of them faced challenges through the weekend but as teams and as a Troop it was heart-warming to see how they pulled together to share skills and ideas. They can all sleep well in their comfy beds being proud of what they achieved.