Summer Camp - Braggers Wood, Dorset
July 2005

Some 20 Scouts from Shurdington and half a dozen adult leaders left Shurdington on 20th july 2005 headed for the New Forest. The event was a week's summer camp, and the venue Braggers Wood campsite. Site chosen was George's Den with its camping Ground.

We left the Millennium Hall at 10am on Saturday and stopped for lunch at Savernake Forest near Marlborough. The journey took us via Ringwood and Burley to the Scouting Centre. For the week we had booked a green campsite for tentage and activities, and a terrapin as administrative headquarters. This came complete with a newly fitted kitchen, which turned out to be quite useful given the first 3 wet days.

Saturday at 3pm we set up all tentage in the dry, but at 2am on Sunday Braggers suffered the worst downpour they had had for some weeks. Children do not seem to mind the wet, and it was heartening to see most playing badminton in pouring rain. It put some of us sheltering adults to shame. Dull weather persisted for 3 days but our outdoor programme was kept up regardless with visits to the beach at Mudeford and crabbing, and a welcome visit to a swimming pool at Splashdown. For some of the adults it meant a visit to a laundry to dry out all the wet T-shirts.

A day was spent at Monkey World where some of us met relatives from days gone by.

Wednesday most everyone enjoyed a cycle ride through the New Forest, with a short stop for lunch. Thursday dawned bright and sunny, and the planned trip to Brownsea Island went through. We caught the boat at Sandbanks at 10.15am and landed at Brownsea Island shortly after. The Group belongs to the National Trust so entrance for us was free. Peacocks abounded, and during a visit to the local museum we actually managed to see a red squirrel, a rare sight indeed. There was lots of craftwork to do there, and we stayed for over an hour.

Next was a walk to the Baden-Powell Commemorative Stone, where the Group re-affirmed their Promise. As is the norm on Brownsea, there were lots of Scouts from other parts of the word with the same mission. We were lucky to meet up with four from Brazil, and over 70 from Korea. We took the Promise together, the Brazilians in their own language. A short walk away is the Scout's Trading Post where we met more Koreans. They immediately tackled each of our Scouts and tied a special Friendship Knot to supplement the standard English Woggle on our neckerchiefs.

Back on the mainland Scouts were treated to Sausage and Chips, and a drive to camp for Campfire and games organised by our three Explorers.

Friday saw a trip to Hengistbury Head on the Bournemouth coast, a trip from there by mini train to Mudeford outer beach for a swim and a meal. The weather was fair and it allowed the Scouts to swim and play games on the sands. A short boat trip brought them back to the mainland and the waiting transport, but not before a long session of crabbing. Crabbing is the painless art of tempting crabs on a piece of string with bait on it, putting them in a bucket, and releasing them back into the sea. Some 90 crabs were caught, and raced down the quay.

We were lucky Saturday dawned sunny and tents were all taken down nice and dry. Thanks go to Louise who organised the camp, with the invaluable help of Lucie, Craig, Paddy, and later in the week Steve and Rob. Thanks also to the children, who were great to have on camp.

Accommodation:

Copyright Ó 2005 Paul Calleja-Gera - All rights Reserved