28th Bath (Bathampton) Scout Group

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Guernsey Summer Camp 2017 - Day Nine

After a breakfast of brioche and cereal we struck camp. We made our way on the bus to St Peter Port for one last time, where we had free time and lunch. Currently we are sailing towards Poole without any sea sick scouts, ready for a good night sleep.

Written by Ben (Eagles)

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Guernsey Summer Camp 2017 - Day Eight

The scouts set off with an early start in order to arrive at coasteering (climbing and jumping off rocks into the sea) at Petit Bot Bay. Fuelled by a scrambled egg sandwich the scouts squeezed into there wetsuits and swam off into the amazingly warm sea towards our first obstacle. We started off easy but even some of the scouts struggled to walk to the place to jump in. We then moved on to a more challenging jump which was about six meters tall. Most of the scouts stepped straight off while some took their time and considered it for a bit.

Finally, it was time for the overhang rock which was an opportunity for flips of all kinds. While most people executed front-flips Ben tried a back-flip. Will and Florian were allowed to jump from the eight meter as they could jump far enough to avoid the rocks beneath.

After that adventure it was time to relax on the beach at Pembroke Bay and start a sandcastle competition. This ended in two very different exhibits, one a ferry on the sea, another a juristic mining industry under Mt. Blanc. Shortly after burying

Inigo in the sand the scouts set off for camp. Once we arrived back at the campsite we constructed a large campfire out of our pallet furniture to give it a proper send off. We enjoyed this fiery spectacle while eating our chips. Exhausted everyone soon went to bed after finishing their last full day on Geurnsey.

Written by Ben (Eagles)

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Guernsey Summer Camp 2017 - Day Seven

We woke up this morning to an overcast sky and set to work on the day’s endeavours. We launched ourselves into the momentous task of cooking a full English breakfast for a patrol using only four trangias, which turned out rather brilliantly.

We soon set about packing for the day’s hike, leaving promptly at 11 o’clock. We set off for St. Martins (a coastal haven) and enjoyed a short (3 hours) but relaxing stroll along the magnificent cliff face. Meeting everyone at Jerborg.

We soon realised we were famished and desperately needed sustenance … FAST!!! After a meagre but delicious lunch, (Ed left the food behind) we set off towards our meeting point where we purchased high quality, organic, Guernsey-made napkins in order to position our ice creams in.

The scoops were generous and well placed in the cone, especially Florian’s who had TWO scoops of thick, creamy honey-combe ice cream.

Next we descended down a steep slope into a small bay, dappled with crystal clear rock pools crusted with burgundy red anemones, shining brightly in the mid-day sun.

The scouts were very daring and jumped heroically from boulder to boulder, putting their life on the line as they narrowly avoided inch wide crevasses and marvelled at James hurling boulders, using his abnormal strength, into the luscious rock pools.

All too soon it was time to leave…  

After a speedy dinner we left to go to the North Guernsey show. At arrival the leaders had to make a snap decision between buying the entry tickets and having enough money to buy the food for the next day. Everyone agreed that we should buy the tickets.

We then walked around the fair looking at the many rides and stalls (most of which were too expensive) and ended up inside an exhibition tent.

We then went to the viewing area to watch a firework display after which the younger scouts went back to the campsite. The senior scouts (plus Ben) then went back to the exhibition tent to join in with a very frantic auction that was taking place. This was led by a, slightly eccentric, man who was practically throwing the exhibits at the loudest person to shout a reasonable price. This made it very difficult for us to get our hands on anything that we wanted. Our first purchase was a bunch of grapes, gained by Simon who happened to be standing next to the auctioneer. This was shortly followed by Ben who yelled for a lemon drizzle cake then given a double layer chocolate cake free of charge.

We received one more set of apple cake slices and a plate of truffles before heading off back to the camp. We had to walk back through the country lanes in the dark, balancing our newly acquired cakes, and joined the other scouts for a good night’s sleep.

Written by Florian (Eagles)

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Guernsey Summer Camp 2017 - Day Six

Operation Puffin

In the morning, it was another lovely day, with the sun rising over the sparkling sea beyond. We partially enjoyed breakfast and went for another walk around the island’s many luscious, golden, silky smooth, picturesque beaches. With heavy hearts we packed up and left for the ferry departing for Guernsey.

As the younger scouts came into view, our hearts sank and the ‘HERM-sickness’ sunk in. As the irritating, high, shrill voices of the scouts (eager to hear of adventures) came into earshot, we groaned and settled back into the daily grind of senior scout life.

Soon, we had fun exploring the many museums in and around Castle Cornet, including a Maritime History section and a Guernsey Militia section. The former was very popular. Many of the scouts bought mementos and gifts and we headed back for camp. After a dinner of melon and Parma-ham for starters (‘a traditional Italian appetiser’ according to Simon), fajitas for main and caramelised fresh peaches and plums for pudding, we set off on a wide game on the beach, which all the scouts thoroughly enjoyed.

Written by Will; inspired, strongly influenced and dictated by Florian, Misha and Josie.

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Guernsey Summer Camp 2017 - Day Five

Operation Shipwreck

The PLs went off on their exercise so we had Ben and Lucy and Alex and Inigo as PL and APLs.

We went to the shipwreck museum and did a cooking competition. For breakfast we had warmed pan au chocalas and toasted cousiants, with hot drinks. In the morning the PLs and APLs packed there bags as they were leaving for Herm for the night. While we packed our day bags for the shipwreck museum.

After we caught a bus to the shipwreck museum, which was in Fort Grey. We went in Fort Grey and there were old periscopes, radars, steam engine and a fog horn. We also dressed up into unusual sea creatures/pirates. Next we had sandwiches, crisps and apples. Once we finished we got the bus to L’islet and walked to Checkers to get our food for the cooking competition.

After walking back to camp we had some chocolate brownies and then started to prepare the food. It was quite hard but after all that work it ended up being very nice. We had to choose a starter, main, desert and then cook it. The Eagles cooked Eds special salad, savoury pancakes with bacon and cheese and toffee apples. The Merlins cooked crisp, carrot sticks and dips, stir-fry and fried pineapple and meringue.

In the evening after we had washed up we had a small wide game. Next Ben and Alex started a fire and we burnt all our rubbish while having warm drinks. Just before bed we washed and got changed so we had energy for the next day.

Written by James and Bertie (Eagles & Merlins)

Operation Puffin

Today was the PL and APL’s challenge. In the morning, we discovered what was planned for us and began preparing for the day. We packed up our tents and organised tactics to avoid the leaders. We left for St. Peter’s Port around 12 o’clock and arrived at about 12.40, expecting the leaders to attack at any moment. As we made our way to the harbour, we got some unexpected radio chatter from the leaders and the other scouts, pretending to ‘have a visual’. We made it to the boat without interruption from the leaders and enjoyed a short boat ride to Herm island. When we got there, the leaders were waiting for us. However, by diverting onto a coastal cliff path, we managed to avoid them. It was a close call (apparently they were 30m away). After a nice walk around the island, we arrived at the campsite unscathed!

Next, we walked down to the beach, waded in the ocean and made some awesome sandcastles (after ‘borrowing’ a spade from nearby beach-goers.)

We paddled in the crystal clear, blue, refreshing, liberating sea. Soon the sun was going down and we saw a beautiful sunset sinking below the horizon, ration packs in hand. It was very emotional. We had lovely £1 showers. Before bed we walked around the costal path around the northern part of Herm. After another enjoyable day put on by the Leaders we went to bed.

Written by Will; inspired, strongly influenced and dictated by Florian, Misha and Josie.

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Guernsey Summer Camp 2017 - Day Four

Today was very fun but also very exhausting. We woke up at 8am, all set to get ready and cooked breakfast, which consisted of:

·       Sausages

·       Eggy bread

·       Scrambled egg

·       Bread & butter

We finished eating and after being briefed, set off. We had been given a sheet of questions and our challenge was to travel around the island and collect as many answers as possible.

I was in the Eagles 2. My patrol leader was Will, and Ben and James were also in the group. We checked the bus timetable and decided we should get the bus to L’islet. After getting off the bus, our patrol began to walk towards our first question. We had to walk for a very long time and I was carrying an extremely heavy bag so I was beginning to fell very tired.

After the first few questions we got the bus to St Peter Port, where we decided to go to the tourist information centre. There we had lunch and met Florian’s half of the Eagles.

Once we had finished lunch our patrol got the bus to the airport where we answered a few more questions and watched some planes landing (very cool).

Give ourselves a break and take the bus. We waited and waited… and waited, until the bus finally came! Sadly, it turned out that we were on the wrong side of the road, which meant that we missed it. After peering at our maps we realised that the next bus that could take us to our destination was going to stop at a road a little bit further up.

We waited for the new bus and, after boarding, discovered that Florian’s patrol was also on our bus. We both got the bus to the Little Chapel and answered the question there. Once we had split up and filled our bottles up with the Leaders, we started off on our journey towards the glamping site to answer our next question.

It took a while to get there, and once we did we found Misha’s patrol deep in conversation with Florian’s. After we collected the answer, we walked to the closest bus stop so that we could get to St Peter Port as we were becoming very hungry. Once we arrived we ate a hearty meal of cheese & bacon burgers (or a vegetarian substitute).

Once we got back to camp we were all extremely tired, so decided to get some sleep. It was a good call!

Written by Lucy (Eagles)

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Guernsey Summer Camp 2017 - Day Three

Firstly, after we woke-up from a peaceful night, most scouts went to immediately have a refreshing shower. Although not all was good on the wellness front and one of our senior scouts William still had a very bad stomach which could have been an aftermath of boat sickness or may have been a bug in itself so he stayed back at the camp and recovered.

We then prepared a lovely breakfast of beans and eggy bread-great for those still suffering! Soon after we went to St. Peter Port to have a look at the market day, food festival and the amazing scenic harbour.

We them embarked on our next adventure when we caught a bus to the airport and walked a short distance to the German occupation museum.

It had a great collection of age old weapons and gadgets from WW2 and watched several educational videos. Next we drove to the beach and did a spot of fort exploring, rock scrabbling and relaxing at Les Grandes Rocques.

Later on we came back and finished our spectacular multi-functional pallet creations, which served as storage, washing up and cooking stations for all our marvellous meals.

Lucky for us William had made huge progress on getting better and was suspected to be all healthy for the next day’s activities- we filled in his shallow grave.

Finally, after we had finished all our furniture and made ourselves a tea of pasta and bolognaise we prepared for the all-day hike/quiz around the whole island tomorrow which would require careful planning.  

Heavy rain did not dampen our enthusiasm as we huddled under our tarp while drinking hot chocolate.

Written by Ben & Inigo (Eagles & Merlins)

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Guernsey Summer Camp 2017 - Day Two

After an early start of 06.50 we packed up all our kit and jumped into the mini-van heading for the ferry port and joined a very long queue.

Once on the ferry, not all the scouts handled the swaying of the boat too much and we ended up with 6 of our scouts making a bit of a mess on the floor.

However, the very best expulsion was when one of the scouts was charging along the rows of seats towards the toilets when he couldn’t hold it in any longer and managed to throw-up in the aisle.

We were not alone in projectile vomiting as many other passengers were ill on the top deck and the hoover was kept busy in the seating areas. One Scout contributed the aroma coming from the galley when he added to the carpet design.

When we finally arrived at Guernsey four of us went ahead to sort out tents and shopping while the rest tested out the buses which we were going to rely on for travel around the island.

Our first job after pitching our tents was to begin to create our very own furniture made out of wood pallets to replace all the equipment we couldn’t bring over.- Some Scouts washed their Scout shirts…….

With quite professional looking tables and benches ready for use we began to cook our burgers and hot dogs for dinner.

After dinner was all sorted the scouts who weren’t too tired got in the mini-van and had a ‘scout’ of the nearby beaches at Port Soif that were very beautiful with plenty of rocks to climb on.

Written by Ben & Inigo (Eagles & Merlins)

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Guernsey Summer Camp 2017 - Day One

After the scouts arrived at 4, we promptly left for the 2-hour journey down to Poole harbour in our ready packed minibus. We arrived at the St James Church hall where we were staying at around 6 o’clock, set up our kit and left to explore the Poole quay. There was a TVR display (old, vintage cars) and the scouts enjoyed fish and chips by the harbour.

Written by Ben & Inigo (Eagles & Merlins)

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Summer Camp 2016 - Day Eleven

Saturday 27th August

Today’s post is written by the Kestels

Some of slept again in the bivis as we always have a good nights sleep. We quickly had a continental breakfast and set off for Bournemouth for our first adventure of the day. This was the altitude high and low ropes course. We also went on the climbing wall. The highlight of the course was the power fan as you jumped off and the cable was on a hydraulic system and let you fly through the air. Lucy jumped off and hit an instructor. But everyone liked the course. Many of us thought it was the best low ropes course we been on. Everyone including the leaders, went around very fast and the instructors were very impressed. After a quick lunch we then went in the little down complex and had a shower before going in the pool and playing with the inflatables, floats and a fast slide. We only got the whistle blown at us a few times. Another shower followed then we left for asda to buy food for the Patrol Leader Pleasure. The kestrels had: Halloulmi and bacon Sausage tagine Apple with caramel sauce and choc fingers The Eagles had: Deconstructed bruschetta Paella Fruit crumble with cream The merlins had: Mozzarella and tomatoes salad Chicken curry Banana surprise Jim felt " that All of the food was cooked to perfection" and the aromas around the camp were mouth watering. Once we finished we retired to the camp fire and Jim added " it was brilliant end to a fantastic camp".

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Summer Camp 2016 - Day Ten

Friday 26th August

Today’s post is written by the Kestels

Today was the camp competition and we are going to win! It started with an-assessed full English breakfast , sausages, bacon, beans, egg, fried potatoes, mushrooms and tomatoes. Merlins won because they hand steam coming off their food. Inspection was at 11am and we beat our previous marks. Well we did get zero last time for our patrol box. We came joint first with the Eagles. The rest of the day was spent on the camp competition which included individual and patrol challenges. These included a spiders web, cleaning the vans, getting the patrol in a portaloo, welly throwing, scoutcraft, stretcher race and other fun activities. Then came the finale of assessed dinner of home made burgers and Eton mess! Very tasty. After dinner we had a wide game on the Heath which was wet and prickley but very fun. Back to camp and some of us slept in shelters others in tents. Another exhilarating day on summer camp finished.

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Summer Camp 2016 - Day Nine

Thursday 25th August

Today’s post is written by the Merlins

Another day another adventure! We got up early and cooked cheese dreams on the stoves and then started the out door challenge which we use as our bench mark for the troop to make sure we all know our scout skills. This included fire lighting, first aid and using ponchos. For lunch we had the rest of the bushcraft soup we made ourselves! Josie said it was tasty and had lots of flavour. In the afternoon we drove to swanage For the sand castle compition  The merlins designed pingu and friends. Kestrels a volcano complete with ruined castle. Ethan helped by standing on it! The eagles designed a corfe castle style entry complete with trees and snow men. The winning patrol was Eagles. The public took pics of all the entries. We also tried crabbing and you should have seen the ones that got away. This after noon was rest time and very nice and robin liked the moths in the sand. When returned to camp we had a formal meal outside, the meal consisted of water Melon, chilli carne and fruit salad with sponge fingers. After dinner we drive to studland beach and made hot choc in the kelly kettles. We also watched the fire works being set off in Poole and the Isle of Wight. Misha fell through the bushes as well but survived! It was fun and relaxing on the beach according to Jim. Misha added she enjoyed the hot choc and said it was an amazing end to the day!

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Summer Camp 2016 - Day Eight

Wednesday 24th August

Today’s post is written by Deeva and Lorna

We woke up early to get ready to go on operation condor. After a busy 15 minutes, we hopped into the minibuses to go to the secret  location! We arrived in Poole at the ferry port ready to get on the ferry to what we thought was Cherbourg. After a worrying security check (lots of us had knives in our daysack) we boarded the  Condor Liberation. We had been upgraded to reclining seats, with panoramic views, at the front of the boat but went up to the top deck as we passed Brownsea Island. 

Then we arrived at Guernsey after a long and tiring journey, we were given strict instructions to be back by 3:30 so as not to miss the last ferry. We then split off into patrols to do an interesting quiz around St. Peters port, we started at the information centre and continued from there. We visited the castle which looked over the harbour and went to Victor Hugo's house (author of Les Miserables). After a delightful lunch we explored the port further by visiting the Chateaux des Marais and the bathing pools. After a few rumbles of thunder and a bit of heavy rain we returned to the ferry ready to leave and we were soon on our way. 

We were all tired and ready to sleep, apart from one... Inigo, who decided to go to the children’s crêche. The journey back felt longer and even more boring than before as we had the normal seats with no panoramic views. By the time we got back to England it was 8:30 and time for tea, we ate sausages and chips on Poole quay, near the statue of Baden-Powell. We then headed back to camp to go to bed.

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Summer Camp 2016 - Day Seven

Tuesday 23rd August

Today’s post is written by Deeva, Lorna and Josie

We woke up toasty in our shelters after a good night's sleep. Then we started to improve and perfect our shelters as we were to sleep in them later that week. After that we made our own muesli in our mugs and boiled water for hot chocolate, it was a healthy breakfast. After further editing our shelters we returned to main camp for lunch.

Then we began our survival badge work which consisted of multiple bushcraft and survival skills such as... Water purification, foraging, first aid, what to do in an emergency, and even making a fish trap.

In the early evening we changed into our swim stuff and had a 'slimeball' fight (using water balloons!) Some of us didn't get very wet so the leaders decided to give us a shower... Under a hose! We got soaked.

After changing into our Halloween outfits  the patrol leaders decorated the campfire site while the rest of the Scouts cooked and collected firewood. We ate a tasty meal of spicy fajitas and spooky glitter jelly. There was a surprise of a rotten hand in the squash!!

After a night full of party games and getting thoroughly soaked (again!) whist apple bobbing and eating donuts off a string. After apple bobbing it was of to bed ready for Operation Condor.

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Summer Camp 2016 - Day Six

Monday 22nd August

Today’s post is written by Misha and Lucy:

We woke up to a fairly clear morning 😊 and no wind! All of us had a breakfast of pancakes complete with Nutella and jam! After breakfast robin, Ben and inigo cleaned the toilets. We walked through Norden woods to the steam train station. Described by Misha as old fashioned! We arrived at Swanage and ambled down to the front to try crabbing. After 1.5 hours toiling with the sea we caught one baby crab. Lorna being our star crabber and gaining one point for kestrels who were still suffering from their poor inspection. On our return to site operation bugout started! The scenario was: due to social unrest we had to bug out from camp and hide in the woods until order was restored. We were given 20 mins to pack personal kit and choose 5 items from stores for our off grid bushcraft camp! The Merlins chose a patrol bag, a Dixie, a Bancho saw, a poncho and fire lighting kit. All patrols were then transported to a drop of point carrying all their kit and had to walk to a safe area and build a shelter and cook food. We spent the afternoon building a shelter from wood and ferns big enough for 5. In patrols we also prepared sea bass and root vegetable soup. The Merlins forgot to bring spoons and sleeping bags! The Kestrels and Eagles were better prepared. We finished the backwoods meal with choc bananas! We then sat around our fires and then climbed into our shelters which had a few holes. Would we survive?

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Summer Camp 2016 - Day Five

Sunday 21st August

Today’s post is written by the Merlins:

Sunday morning we awoke to a much calmer campsite and the wind had stopped its howling. We started the day with a communal breakfast of deep fried bacon and Sausages cooked/cremated by the young leader team- further training is required! Inspection followed breakfast and we had our first score of zero with the kestrels patrol box looking like a jumble sale and congealed fat found on plates! Kestrels needed Jim! All patrols scored nine for patrol lay out and some OK scores for the rest of the inspection . Final scores were kestrels 39, eagles 51 and the merlins in the lead with 53! The patrols then set off for a hike mainly around the costal path. Starting in Worth Matravers, the hike was a total of 12 miles. On the hike robin pointed out birds and the leaders ate and then watched the red arrows again. Merlins saw many climbers in the hot but windy cliffs! The hike was v hilly but was very nice and the views were breath taking, said Lucy. Returning to camp we made chicken laksa and noodles- yummy! Followed by steamed puddings and custard. After securing the site we were dropped off for op grey man in patrols. Our mission was to find out who was staying at Buddens and plot the troops on a map. Using covert radios we avoided detection and moved carefully around the site. End of mission and we returned to site for a well earned sleep. What excitement will tomorrow bringing?

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Summer Camp 2016 - Day Four

Saturday 20th August

Today’s post is written by Simon:

Saturday we were surprised to find our campsite still standing after the 40mph winds and sporadic heavy rain. Bleary eyed and stumbling like zombies the leaders and senior scouts went on a search for breakfast. Premier inn did not want our custom so we ended up Toby inn for a hearty breakfast and copious amounts of coffee. On returning to site we all had a nap as we waited for the rest of the troop to arrive. Luckily the younger scouts were ready to go as they arrived at staggered intervals! The next four hours we battled with gusty gales  while troop helped each other put one tent up at a time. Gadgets were built and wood collated for their fires. But it was still to windy so we had a communal  meal of pasta. Our first casualty was the event shelter- we think we can fix it in time for the heat wave. The gales continued and we then lost the merlins dining shelter as this collapsed and the whole troop joined together to clear it. After checking all the pegs and guys we set off for a short walk to the pond and on robins instructions we listened for night jars-but all we could hear was the howling wind! Bed beckoned and we all wondered what the night would bring!