A few months ago now, it was decided that after we'd ( the leaders / helpers / supporters of 2EP ) completed the 3 Peaks Challenge, we'd run a Patrol Camp straight after… must be mad !!!! But then we got madder !! We then heard about the County Water Activities weekend, which was to start the day that the Patrol Camp finished. With the County Camp only costing £15 per Scout we felt we couldn't turn it down and so this meant a 6 day "Mini Summer Camp" for the Scouts and a 10 day endurance for us the Leaders.

After the Three Peaks had finished ( see reports from two of the Scouts ) we were up early again on the Tuesday and straight onto Broadstone Warren. Once on site the Scouts set about erecting the huge hike tent that Centurion Explorers kindly lent to us. Kevin had explained that there was a video to watch that showed you how to put it up, but we'd not had time to watch that and it proved to be a veeeeeeerrrrrry lengthy process. With us travelling light, we'd only taken hike style tentage instead of the usual Icelandic's and so once the huge tent had been conquered we were soon set up and ready for camp. We were using the Patrol Camp to get the lads through some badge / award work that we wouldn't normally have time to do at the hut, coupled with some onsite activities.

On the Tuesday evening we did rifle shooting and had a relaxing night sitting and chatting around the fire. The Wednesday saw Pinto going through the My Faith badge ( yes Pinto ) This was completed with the Scouts planning and running their own Scouts Own ( Paul Fix would have been proud ) Each Scout stood up the front in the Camp Chapel and said a small piece about a faith. The Scouts Own covered all religions that we had present and we also spoke about a vast array of other religions and beliefs. The Scouts names their Scouts Own "REM", which stood for Religious Educational Meeting, and after the half hour service all earned their My Faith badge. We later did Archery and also acquired various cuts, bruises and scrapes on the Creta Run.

On the Thursday we packed up reasonably early as we had to head off to Norfolk for the second half of the camp ( County Water Activities ) After the long journey, going through 5 Counties in the sun and then into the torrential rain, as well as the usual 1 Scout being sick on route, we were pleased that we only had the 4 tents to put up. This took no time at all as the Scouts ( and Pinto ) had now put the huge tent up once and were used to it now. We soon settled into the picturesque if basic site and the lads went to collect an alter fire and some wood for the night.

The County Camp wasn't officially starting until the Friday night and so we took advantage of the extra day and spent it in Great Yarmouth. All the lads enjoyed the freedom of being allowed to roam the arcades as well as the beach and they were also given enough money to have a take away each. Once back at the site ( Decoy Broad ) I was given all the information on what the Scouts would be doing and when, throughout the weekend. Each Scout had the opportunity to take part in Archery, Amateur Radio, Sailing, Kayaking, Canoeing, Swimming, Free Fall Abseil as well as a visit to the floating ice cream man!!

The weather throughout the water activities was extremely hot, but with the huge amounts of factor 30 sun block nobody got burned ( like at the football ) and judging by how wet everyone got, they all had a great time.

Active Support ( a part of GLNE ) are going to be running the Water Activities weekend again next year. It will be at the same place and over the same weekend ( the one after the bank holiday at the end of May ) I can highly recommend that you travel those few extra miles to take part……… at only £15, what you spend in fuel you'll be saving on the cost of the camp.

Stuart Barham | 2nd Elm Park Scout Leader | Hornchurch District Scout Leader