Over 200 Scouts, leaders and parents from Henlow, Clifton and Shefford enjoyed a traditional Scout camp for the family at Boyd Field Camp Site in Henlow last weekend. “There was enough fun, adventure and challenge for everyone,” said Henlow/Clifton Group Scout Leader Sarah Panton who organised the event. “It was wet, wild, windy and just a bit smoky,” she added with a grin.

It took 73 tents and several cooking shelters to house all the campers in what one Scout called a canvas town. East of England Regional Scout Commissioner Rob Lyon who opened the camp on Saturday morning said, “It’s good to see so many parents taking part and experiencing what it is like to be a Scout in the 21^st century. Here you will see how leaders encourage young people to cook on open fires, launch rafts and scramble around obstacle course just a few of the 200 activities we offer that make life exciting for both leaders and Scouts alike.”

One enthusiastic parent was Diana Honeywell who took part in a type of chariot race with her two children Cub Scout Adam (8) and Beaver Scout Guy (7). She said, “I had no idea what to expect. It took your breath away. It’s no wonder Adam and Guy can hardly wait for their next Scout meeting. It was so nice to be involved and really exciting.”

Scouts and Cubs used fallen branches and leaves to build camp fires to cook various tasty morsels. Most used standard fare such as sausages and twists of pastry. But one Scout decided that he would be different. He cooked a chocolate digestive biscuit!

Cameron Anthony (12) from Shefford used his construction skills to make a multi-coloured kite from plastic sheets, thin wooden strips and twine. It was soon proving its aerodynamics as it climbed above the trees helped by a strong south east wind.

But the highlight of the camp was the raft contest on the camp site lake between the buccaneers and the pirates. Nine year old Cub Scouts Ella Devereaux for the buccaneers and Erasmus Greenwood for the pirates needed sound knowledge of knots such as the clove hitch to secure empty oil drums to their wooden raft platforms to make sure they would stay afloat. Once launched, the two teams fought a pitched battle over hidden treasure in the deep waters of the lake. And Ella’s winning team even had to rescue her mum when she fell overboard. It was just one more challenge she took in her stride.

For 200 campers this was an experience that leaders, parents and young people alike will remember for a long time.

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