Scouts construct rustic camp gateway

Last weekend over 70 scouts from across Cornwall gathered at Nine Ashes scout activity centre, near
Bodmin to practice their traditional Scouting skills and learn some new ones.

The weekend saw the scouts camping under canvas in patrols, a group of 6 young people. They spent their time chopping fire wood, cooking on open fires, making camp gadgets and constructing impressive pioneering projects. As well as the time they spent building their patrol areas they also got to learn some new skills including hay box cooking, whittling and building camp ovens. One young scout said, “It was great fun chopping wood, cooking on an open fire and I really enjoyed the whittling. I can’t wait to do it all again!”

Saturday evening saw the scouts light their patrol fires before cooking their evening meals and heating their porridge to put in their hay box ready for the next morning, when it would be nicely cooked and ready to eat. Once the washing up had been finished they gathered around the camp fire for some traditional scout songs and sketches, before heading for their sleeping bags.

It wasn’t just a weekend for the young people, but a chance for the Leaders and other adults to share their experiences and skills. Tony Garvin, the event organiser commented, “There are so many ways of doing things and it is great to see so many Leaders working together and passing on their skills to each other and the scouts.”

Leaders talk, fire lighting the hard work and blisters way.

Leaders showing the scouts how it should be done.

The Leaders patrol at their camp gateway.

Despite the mud and cold temperatures everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy the weekend. Many went home with a crocked spoon or bent tent peg that they had whittled from a branch, but they all went home happy, having enjoyed a weekend packed with traditional Scouting.