Dear Granny – Camp Report

Dear Granny

I thought I had better write to you and let you know about the Camp I have just been on with 2nd Onchan.

I went with Cubs, Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Leaders to a place called T. W. Helme Memorial Camp Site which is in Littledale, about 8 miles outside Lancaster. We travelled over to Heysham on the 31. July and collected a minibus at the Port. It only took about half an hour to get to the Camp Site. We were staying in Long Panther Lodge which had a dining area, kitchen bedrooms and toilets. After being given a briefing and allocated our rooms we went to explore the site. The Camp site has a river running through it and parts are quite steep and there are only a few places to put up tents. There were no other Campers on site, but we were told that some Scouts from Morecombe would be arriving on Monday.

We had a few games outside before our evening meal and then as it had started to rain, we did an indoor Scavenger Hunt before settling down to some ‘getting to know you’ type games. After supper and a long day it was time for bed.

On Sunday the Leaders got us up really early (7.15am!). Breakfast each day consisted on juice, a choice of cereals, toast, yogurts and a hot drink if we wanted one. After breakfast we had to get our rooms tidy for Room Inspection, something we did every day. We then started the day’s activities. In the morning we did Air Rifle Shooting and Archery. After lunch we spent over an hour on the Assault Course (one of the Cubs was faster than all but one of the Scouts and Explorer Scouts). When we finished this we did Gill Scrambling. This is where you have to walk up and down the river climbing up waterfalls and stuff. You have to wear helmets and three qualified Instructors led us in two groups. It was freezing cold but great fun. Our Leaders set up two washing lines to hang up all our wet gear in the big open barn next to our lodge. After tea we watched a movie using a Projector and after that it was off to bed.

On Monday we were again up early and after breakfast and room inspection it was off in the minibus to Preston and the West View Leisure Centre, where we spent two hours doing indoor climbing. After lunch we spent an hour or so in the leisure centre pool, before heading back to the camp site. The Scouts from Morecombe had arrived on site and were busy setting up their tents. After tea we had a game of Danish Long Ball, which went on for ages.

It was another early start on Tuesday and just after nine we were heading up the M6 Motorway to Lake Windermere in the Lake District. We visited the really cool Aquarium of the Lakes and a guide took us round. We got to stroke Polecats and hold baby snakes. They have a glass tunnel you walk through with all the fish swimming around. The aquarium was so good we went round twice! We then caught the ferry to Bowness where we were collected by the minibus and we travelled up to Ambleside, so we could go round all the camping shops. Our Leaders even bought us all an ice cream which was good of them. In the evening after tea we went off to Morecombe and played Ten Pin Bowling for 1½ hours. Back at the camp site it was time for supper then bed.

On Wednesday we went off to Blackpool and spent ten, yes ten hours in the Pleasure Beach going on loads of rides. We even got to have tea in Burger King. It was raining when we got there but the sun soon came out. Some of the rides had long queues and I think the Leaders we more than ready to leave when we did. We didn’t get back to camp until gone 9pm, and we were all pretty tired and were soon in bed after supper.

On Thursday we were split into two groups to do a hike around the Littledale area. The older Scouts and Explorer Scouts were in one group and the Cubs, younger Scouts and Leaders were in another. It was a nice day and we walked about ten miles in total and got to explore the local countryside. The younger group got back to camp earlier than the older Group. After tea we invited the Morecombe Scouts to play Danish Long Ball with us and after that we watched another movie.

Our last day of activities was on Friday and after breakfast and room inspection we travelled to Blackburn and the Waves Centre. This is a Leisure Pool with slides, plunge pools and a wave machine. We spent about 1½ hours in the pool. We then travelled to the Rossendale Ski Centre. We were split into two groups, those who could ski and those who couldn’t . Those who could ski were allowed to go off and ski on the slopes and those who couldn’t were given two hours of instruction on the nursery slopes. It was raining quite a bit, but it didn’t bother us too much. Travelling back we got stuck in traffic jams and it took us an extra hour to get back to camp. After tea we had a camp debrief and we had to let the Leaders know what our favourite activity was and what our least favourite one was. The majority enjoyed Blackpool the most and the hike the least!

On Saturday we had to pack all our gear away and tidy our rooms. We were then given some free time, while the Leaders gave the Lodge a good clean up. The Leaders then gave out prizes for Best Cub, Scout and Explorer based on room inspection points. There were also prizes for the best behaved Cub and Scout on Camp and a special prize for the Bravest Cub or Scout at Blackpool. It was soon time to travel to Heysham, where we had a McDonalds, before boarding the ferry to take us back to the Isle of Man.

We are now all looking forward to next year’s camp which will be on the Isle of Man from the 30. July to the 6. August 2011.

Your Grandson

Over 700 images from the Camp are now on display in the Scout Hall.