Steve's Blog - Monday 5th July 2010
Hi Everyone!
I have just had a most enjoyable weekend helping at Mansfield District’s Centenary Camp at Sherbrooke. I was asked to help Pete Whitlam and the Catering Crew. I’m glad that I did because it reminded me of the time I was serving on the International Service Team at the 19th World Scout Jamboree in Chile over New Year 1999. Again I was working with the Catering Crew and that was where I met a Brazilian Scout Leader called Deléo who has since become one of my best friends. He was later to become extremely paramount in doing all the preparation work for two expeditions that I helped lead to Brazil in 2004 and 2006.
So, this last weekend, over 500 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Leaders had a fantastic time at a camp which was packed with so many activities. Unfortunately, with helping to cater for so many I didn’t get a chance to get around the site as I would have liked, but I did see just about everybody at one mealtime or another and you could tell from the way that they were buzzing that the camp was highly successful.
Much of the camp’s success is due to those Leaders and Explorer Scouts who readily gave of their own time to help put on and run the activities and I’m sure that all Leaders at the camp would agree that were it not for the Explorer Scouts and Young Leaders at the camp, things might have been different. I saw Young Leaders walking around the site with their Beaver Colony or Cub Pack. Some Young Leaders and Explorers were helping staff activities; and in catering we had two Explorer Scouts (Chris and Jonno) from Rufford Explorer Scout Unit working alongside 5 Leaders and a Scout. They worked so hard all weekend and in such hot conditions helping to ensure that as best as possible the meals were ready on time and never a moan or argument from them.
Kathryn (County Commissioner), myself and many of the County Team were very impressed by what you all did. So, to all of those Explorer Scouts who gave up their weekend in order that so many others could enjoy Mansfield District’s Centenary Camp, I give you a very big THANK YOU from Kathryn; myself and the County Team; from Mansfield’s District Commissioner, Andy; as well as from his team who organised such a fantastic weekend for everyone. Well done to you all.
Next weekend (10th-12th July 2010) it’s your weekend. That’s when Nottingham Big Game Live takes place. Scouting Magazine’s Explorer Scout Supplement recently carried a full page report of last year’s event. The event is based at Robin Hood Camp Site, Blidworth with teams of 5 Explorer Scouts trying to win as many points as possible on Saturday. Plus we have loads of entertainment and activities arranged for both Friday and Saturday evenings. You don’t even need your knife, fork, cup, plate, etc. Just your tent and sleeping bag, etc. It’s all central catering, so no worries about cooking – just a great weekend and a chance to meet other Explorers and have loads of fun. We will be one of the very last groups to use the Centre before it is demolished and a new centre built in time for next year’s camping season. I know that we have teams coming from around England and once again we have some fantastic prizes to be won, one being valued at £750. If you’ve missed out this year I suggest that you watch the Big Game Live website so that you can enter a team next year.
Then in 2 weeks time we’ve got the County Activity Day (Sat 17 July 2010) at Holme Pierrepont. Another fun, fantastic day full of activities, but also an extension of time past 6pm just for Explorers.
I accept that you can’t do everything that is currently being offered, but I do so hope that what you do take part in you thoroughly enjoy and realise that this is why you joined Scouting in the first place.
Best wishes to those undergoing Duke of Edinburgh / Chief Scout / Queen’s Scout Expeditions during the school holiday period as well as to those heading off for Summer Camp. Have a great time.
Cheers!
Deputy County Commissioner
