Summer Camp 2008 – Walesby Forest Scout Camp

walesby-119.jpg

Saturday 19th – Saturday 26th July 2008

This year we will be having a week long summer camp in the heart of Robin Hood country – Sherwood Forest.  Walesby Forest Scout Camp is situated 10 miles north east of Mansfield in Nottinghamshire. The journey will take between 2 and 3 hours from Linslade. The site comprises of 250 acres of woodland and parkland, with lots of large open grassed areas for camping. We had a very successful camp at Walesby in 2006 and it really is a stunning location. We have booked the same pitch we had last time, which is gently sloping with a mixture of trees and gorse surrounding. We will be a short 2 minute walk away from one of two toilet blocks with hot water and hot showers. Continue reading “Summer Camp 2008 – Walesby Forest Scout Camp”

Winter Camp 2008

Eight Scouts and their leaders had a great time at winter camp at Gilwell Park in Essex, amongst 2500 Scouts and Explorers, and lashings of mud!!

1200774943_87.jpg

click for larger image

Our District contingent numbered about 50 Scouts and Explorers. All busied themselves on Saturday taking part in activities around the park, such as laser clays, quasar, zorbing (rolling down an inflatible slope strapped inside a big plastic ball – great fun allegedly!), robo-gedden, archery, high ropes, quad biking, crate stacking and loads more. 

The weather was kind to us, except for Friday morning when the leaders were setting up camp and pitching tents – typically the rain stopped as soon as the tent were up!  Saturday was mostly dry, with blue sky and sun making an appearance at times. We managed to get all the tents put away dry on Sunday – which was a big bonus.

We all ate very well thanks to our new “field oven” and our superb catering crew – big thanks to them. We had shepherds pie, beef stew and dumplings, and the most amazing bread and butter pudding!

Thanks to all leaders that helped to make this one of the best winter camps so far.

As usual leaders were heard saying, as the rain lashed down (and I mean really lashed down) on Friday morning, and while squelching through many inches of liquid mud – “we’re definately not going next year” – but watch this space……….

More photos in the gallery.

news from Kandersteg

All is well at camp in Switzerland. Having a great time. The sun has been shining since we arrived. Scenery is breath taking. Rafting on Saturday was really good fun. Have swam in an alpine lake today. Older group off on an overnight hike in the mountains.

Andy

County Camp

county-camp1.jpg

We hope that everybody enjoyed County Camp. We think all agreed that it was a very successful camp and one that all Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Leaders and helpers will remember for many years.

county-camp1.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We would like to thank all that helped with the planning, setting up, running and clearing up for camp. We could not do it with out you!! A special thanks must go to our catering crew, who did a fantastic job feeding nearly a hundred hungry mouths all weekend. Every meal was perfectly cooked, and ready at exactly the right time. We all ate very well indeed! A big thank you to Annie, Stuart, Mark, Ted, Janice and Ray – THANKS!!!

Thanks also to our parent helpers – many of who helped run activities on Saturday and Sunday.

county-camp2.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The weather was largely kind to us, except for a wet Monday morning (which was just perfect for packing up!!). Consequently we have been left with a number of wet and muddy tents, and have had to leave the marquees pitched on site. Therefore there will be no Scout meeting on Wednesday night this week, as we have a lot of equipment to sort out. If any of our older Scouts and Explorers are available to help their help would be very much appreciated.

We are looking for volunteers to write a brief report for the newsletter / website. If you have any thoughts, memories, comments, photos etc – please email us.

 

 

008.jpg

Don't you just love Explorers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

009.jpg

This one amused me….. Queue for grub!

 

 

 

Jumbo fun at the scouts’ tea party

th1_304200733whipsnade03250407.jpg
Recent article from Leighton Buzzard Observer Online……
 
"ALL It took was a trunk call to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo and David R and Steven R from the 1st Linslade Scout Group were joining group leader Zita Pascoe for high tea in the elephant enclosure. The three are pictured with the zoo’s Asian elephant calf Euan under the watchful eye of his mum Azizah.
th1_304200733whipsnade03250407.jpg
The photo was staged to publicise the forthcoming Scouts Centenary Jamboree at Hylands Park Estate, near Chelmsford in July and August, when Scouts from across Bedfordshire will be among those taking part.

Williamson tea makers, of the Townsend Industrial Estate in Houghton Regis, are supplying an English Tea House for the event in conjunction with Wedgewood china. The company’s logo is an Asian elephant."

 
 
Link to original article on Leighton Buzzard Observer Onlineclick here
 
 

County Camp Introduction

Centenary County Camp 2007 4th May – 7th May 2007

2007 is the Centenary of Scouting and to celebrate this important landmark Bedfordshire Scout Association is organising a county camp at Phasels Wood Scout Camp, near Hemel Hempstead (see "links" page).

Scouts, Cubs and Beavers (day visits only) from all over the county will be camping on this fantastic 3 day/night event.

Activities organised so far include the following:-

Abseiling, archery, climbing wall, crossbows, mini bikes, dragon slide, water rockets, air rifles, ice wall, cresta run, gladiator trial, circus skills, pot holing, laser clay shooting, giant games, technology zone, skittles, quad bikes, inflatable obstacle course, bouncy castles, bungee run pedal karts, with many more to be added over the next few months.

More details can be found at www.100bc.org.uk

And yes, before you ask Scouts, we will also be having a fire so that in true tradition you can go home with your clothes stinking of smoke!

A special commemorative badge will be given to each person in attendance.

We hope that every Scout, Cub and Beaver will attend this once in a life time event.

New Kandersteg section for the website

1573852-scout_hostel-kandersteg.jpg

 

1573852-scout_hostel-kandersteg.jpg

click for larger image

We have added a new section to the website for Kandersteg 2007.

There is information about the

1573892-view_from_above-kandersteg.jpg

click for larger image

trip, a detailed itinerary, and a hiking kit list so that you can start to get things together in good time. Other information will be added in the coming weeks, so keep checking back regularly.

If you have any problems accessing this area please use "contact us" from the main menu.

 

1600288-straight_up-kandersteg.jpg

click for larger image

 

 

 

Itinerary 2011

isummerchalet.jpg

 

Kandersteg, Switzerland : 22nd to 31st July 2011

Outbound travel itinerary

Friday 22nd July

1530 hrs Coach arrives Linslade

1600 hrs Coach departs Linslade

1945 hrs UK time ferry departs Dover

2215 hrs French time ferry arrives Calais

2230 hrs Coach departs Calais

Next Day (Saturday)

0830 hrs Coach arrives Egerkingen – Breakfast stop

0930hrs Coach departs Egerkingen

1100 hrs Coach arrives Kandersteg

(Please note that these timings are approximate)

 

Day 1 (Saturday) – Scout Centre & Kandersteg

isummerchalet.jpg

click for larger image

1200 hrs Arrive at Kandersteg International Scout Centre.

1230 hrs Leaders Introduction to site. 

1573852-scout_hostel-kandersteg.jpg

click for larger image

Group organisation and familiarisation of site, including “Discovery Trail” – a great way to introduce the centre to your group.

1330 hrs Lunch.

1430 hrs Orientation walk into Kandersteg Village.

1630 hrs Swimming in open air pool in Kandersteg Village (including whirlpools, a diving pool, and water slide)

1800 hrs Dinner at camp

Day 2 (Sunday) – Lotschenpass/Sunnbuel/Gemmipass Day Hike   

0800 hrs In groups suited to age and ability we will either, take a relaxed hike into the Gasterntal valley following the upper reaches of the Kander River, or ascend to 1934m by cable car to explore the beautiful Sunnbuel valley / Spittalmatte plateau, and for the more able and adventurous onward to the Gemmipass at 2346m with views over Leukerbad.

1300 hrs Packed Lunch en route.
1630 hrs Return to KISC. Free time on the Campsite – many activities to choose from!

1830 hrs Dinner back at campsite

2000 hrs Light Trial – starts at Main Chalet

Day 3 (Monday) – Rafting on River Simme or River Aaresimme.jpg

0900 hrs Rafting on River Simme (12yrs+) / River Aare

1330 hrs Lunch

1530 hrs Free time on the Campsite – many activities to choose from!

1800 hrs International BBQ at the main Chalet. A chance to meet Scouts from all around the world, swap badges, neckers etc
  

  

For Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday our party is split into 2 groups A & B, to take part in the following activities. It is necessary to split up as some activities are restricted by age and numbers.

Oeschinensee Lake

09-oeschinensee-pano.jpg

 

Visit to Oeschinensee Lake by chair lift from Kandersteg Village. Take a few high speed runs on the summer toboggan (Rodelbahn).
A 40-minute walk to the lake and then go for a bracing swim in the alpine lake.

 

Picnic lunch on the way. Descend back down to Kandersteg Village on foot and take in the stunning scenery. 

 

1573771-approaching_oeschinensee-kandersteg.jpg

click for larger image

thumb_oeschinensee-kandersteg.jpg.jpg

click for larger image

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overnight Ueschinenhutteimages.jpg

1400 hrs start. Overnight trip to Ueschinen Hutte. This is an excellent opportunity for Scouts to experience a night in a high alpine hut (1890m). Younger groups gain height quickly using a cable car. The path then traverses into Ueschinen Valley with breathtaking views of the village and surrounding area. Once into the valley it’s a steady but easy climb to the Ueschinen hutte passing through traditional high alpine farms. Younger groups return to the camp centre the next morning on foot via a different route, while older more adventurous groups may hike further into the mountains returning to KISC later in the day.

Group A (older Groups) B (Younger Groups)
Day 4 (Tuesday)

am – Free Time  

pm – Ueschinenhutte O/N  

am – Free Time  

pm – Oeschinensee Lake

Day 5 (Wednesday)

am – Ueschinenhutte O/N

pm – Free Time

am – Free Time

pm – Ueschinenhutte O/N

Day 6 (Wednesday)

am – Oeschinensee Lake

pm – Free Time

am – Ueschinenhutte O/N

pm – Free Time

 

Tuesday night is the “Race the World” event at KISC – an evening of sports and challenges against Scouts from all over the world. Wednesday night is the International Scout Disco at the Village Ice Rink – popular with the older Scouts and Explorers Thursday night is the KanderChallenge – an hour of team challenges around obstacles, physical, logical, mental and Scouting – run by the KISC camp staff.

Each of the overnight hike groups will probably want to visit the village swimming pool on their return

Day 7 (Friday) Kandersteg


10-ueschinen-pano.jpg

0900 hrs Spend the day or half day hiking in the Kander Valley – visiting Kandersteg Village – shopping for souvenirs.

2000 hrs Last night meal out at Des Alpes – a local restaurant. Traditional cuisine. Incorporating “1st Linslade Scouts on Tour” Awards.

Day 8 (Saturday) Last day 🙁

0900 hours Morning Free

Return travel itinerary

1145 hrs Coach departs Kandersteg

1230 hrs Coach arrives Thun – free time for lunch and shopping

1630 hrs Coach departs Thun

1745 hrs Coach arrives Egerkingen – driver changeover and evening meal stop

1900 hrs Coach departs Egerkingen

Next Day (Sunday)

0540 hrs Coach arrives Calais

0640 hrs French time ferry departs Calais

0715 hrs UK time ferry arrives Dover

0730 hrs Coach departs Dover

1400 hrs Coach arrives Linslade

(Please note that these timings are approximate)

Note: There are plenty of activities available at KISC to fill time on the campsite – such as crate stacking, zip wire, sports afternoons, pioneering competitions, compass course, photo challenge, sauna, eco quiz and other eco activities, international I-Spy, patrol challenges, and generally talking to Scouts from other countries……

Some of these activities will involve you spending some of your pocket money, but most are free. There is also mini golf in the village if you can persuade a leader to walk there and back with you!  

We hope that Scouts will want to try and pass some of the awards that KISC have available, such as the High Adventure Award, International Friendship, Swiss Mini-adventure Award, K.I.S.Challenge, Eco Adventure Award. All the badges can be worn on your uniform and look rather cool when you get home!