90 Scouts and 22 Leaders attended the first County Camp of the new Millennium at Gilwell Park. Despite very poor weather forecasts for the whole weekend, the sun shone in all its glory on Saturday and in a more sedate fashion on the Sunday. Best of all, the tents went home dry!

The activities began straight away on the Friday night with a professional Disco in The Storm Hut, complete with full Lighting and Sound effects.

Saturday Morning began with Flag break at 0903 and the activities all kicked in at 10am, with Grass Sledging, Pioneering (Monkey Bridge on a large scale), Canoeing (all day from 11am to 5pm), The New Climbing Wall (12.30pm -5pm), Archery, Rifles and a Cricket Tournament. After dinner we again had the Disco in the Storm Hut, together with a Disco dancing competition for those who wanted to do it, and the evening ended with a massive County Wide-Game which ended at 11pm.

Sunday morning events after flag-break began with a County Camp orienteering Competition in which 13 teams were entered. It began at 10am and ended at 11.45pm. It was a close run thing, but the 2nd Newham eventually won it with full points in the fastest time.

The final event was the County Volleyball Competition. This was held from 12noon until 2pm, and was eventually won by the 1st Romford.

his team was then taken on by the Explorer Scouts from the 13th Newham, whose team name, was the 'Flies in Da Suga'!

This was a close run match, with the 13th Newham narrowly beating the 'Boys from Romford' in a thrilling final match of the day and winning the title of 'Camp Champions 2003'.

The final dismissal was at 2.30pm after the trophies were presented to the winners of the Orienteering & Volleyball competitions.

What I would like to say, is how impressed I was with the great 'Spirit of Scouting' I was privileged to witness all weekend. The young people in our County really got on well with each other. There were no squabbles or arguments, smiling faces were even seen, and when asked how the camp was going said 'It's alright!' , and that, as any experienced Scouter or parent will tell you, is THE highest praise any teenager can bestow!

Hope to see your group at next year's camp

Mick Greenwood | Assistant County Commissioner (Scouts)