Nearly 200 Scouts from around Bedfordshire took part in the Giant Sleepover this weekend and helped to create a world record of 50,000 campers for the biggest simultaneous sleepover ever. Scout groups from Luton took part including four who camped overnight in the unusual setting of the town’s libraries.

In the town centre, Someries District Scouts from the 1^st, 2^nd and 19^th Someries spent the night at the Central Library where delighted youngsters had an evening of computer fun and completed activities for their County Commissioner’s Challenge Badge helped by librarian Jane Humm. At Leagrave Library childrens’ librarian Anna Simmons produced several lurid books to entertain the 31 Beavers and Cubs from the Leagrave Scout Group with bedtime stories of monsters, dragons and naughty children. Many of them also used the facilities to research world geography for their challenge badge.

Anna said, “We wondered what it would be like with so many Scouts in the dead of night but they were wonderful. And, with the help of Cub Scout Leader Cathy Stapleton and her crew, we cleaned up all the floor area ready for our first visitors on Sunday morning.” She added, “I’ll definitely volunteer to do it all again next year.” Cub Scout Paris (9) said, “We had an amazing time with lots of activities and computers to use. I liked the book about monsters best. It was spooky.”

Icknield District Scouts from St Augustine’s, St Joseph’s, Blenheim and Sundon Scout Groups had a different adventure. They made the trip to Wellend Activity centre near Borehamwood for the weekend. Almost 50 Scouts had an early Christmas when they decorated the hall with tinsel and a Christmas tree complete with fairy lights. They also made lanterns, Advent cards and painted candle holders. Many Scouts took time off to tackle outdoor activities such as archery, climbing and abseiling.

The youngsters were sponsored for the event which saw Luton Scouts contribute hundreds of pounds to Save the Children Fund. Scout Leader David Gilkinson who organised the Icknield event said, “What a great way of giving youngsters the time of their lives and showing them that they can help other people while they have fun. We plan to do it all again next year.”

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