Cambridgeshire Scouts brave sub-zero temperatures
The cold weather has not put everyone off from venturing outdoors.
Scouts & Explorer Scouts from Cambridgeshire joined 2,500 others from across the UK to welcome a new year of adventure at The Scout Association’s annual Winter Camp last weekend
The Scouts braved sub zero temperatures to camp at Gilwell Park in Chingford, the home of Scouting and outdoor adventure, in the coldest conditions for years.
Winter Camp takes place every January and provides the opportunity for all Scouts to take part in over 70 adventurous and fun activities. More than 1,800 boys and girls aged between 10 and 18 along with over 600 adult Leaders enjoyed the experience of sleeping in tents for two nights, cooking on open fires and a packed programme led by the on-site team of 200 adult volunteers.
Scouts from Cambridge, Bottisham, St Ives, Somersham and Whittlesey hammered their tent pegs into the frozen ground at Gilwell Park and slept under canvas. During the weekend Scouts from St Ives and Somersham were amongst those keeping warm with activities ranging from trampolining to rope climbing, and there was also time for the traditional camp fire sing-song. There was a Disco until midnight on Friday, films on Saturday and there was also time for the traditional campfire.
Overnight the biggest challenge was the cold, with temperatures falling to minus six on the Friday night. The Scouts were all properly equipped with ski jackets, extra sleeping bags and warm blankets
Geoff Oliver, Scout Leader at the 28th Cambridge, based in Flamsteed Road was really pleased with the way the Scouts worked together as a team in the challenging conditions
"Everyone was in such high spirits and walking around the campsite there were so many smiling faces. For the Leader team it was a real challenge getting there with all the kit, equipment and food and defrosting everything out on return (many of them with very busy work schedules to get back into). Risk assessments are a natural aspect of Scouting activities and obviously the weather meant constant reassessment."
Rod Dachtler, Assistant Scout Leader at the 2nd St Ives Sea Scouts was really pleased with the way the Scouts worked together as a team in the challenging conditions. He says that the boys and girls are already looking forward to next year!
Chief Scout Bear Grylls said: "Every young person deserves an adventure. It was great to see so many young people getting stuck into adventurous activities like climbing, abseiling, quad biking and having a go on the high ropes, all in the coldest month of the year."
And as for the Scouts
"The activities were brilliant, most of all the snow ball fights!"
"Wood Chopping is not so easy when the wood is frozen. We piled it up by the fire to thaw it out. Made lovely embers for a baked potato lunch on Saturday!"
