Education by Rain and Mountain
Scout Camp over for another year! No more sodden boots. No more inspections. No more sideways rain on Exmoor. No more tracking leaders in the dark on forested 45-degree valley sides. No more time trials on the assault course. No more faux casualties fitting on exposed hillsides. No more dam-building, bivvy-building, kipping out with your mates, Kabaddi tourneys or water fights. And no more camp fire or flambé bananas!!
Scout Camp over for another year! No more sodden boots. No more inspections. No more sideways rain on Exmoor. No more tracking leaders in the dark on forested 45-degree valley sides. No more time trials on the assault course. No more faux casualties fitting on exposed hillsides. No more dam-building, bivvy-building, kipping out with your mates, Kabaddi tourneys or water fights. And no more camp fire or flambé bananas!!
Greg Harewood has been involved in camps like this for 25 years, but it's the first time he's done this kind of back-to-basics work with the 1st Histon Scouts, which he took over this time last year. The troop is young, and at times the constant rain taxed the less experienced Scouts. The fact that every single Mum interviewed had only positive reports back from their Scouts is testament to the fact that kids today are not that different from their forebears, if you give them the chance to prove themselves.
The 1st Histon's Scout programme (for boys and girls from 10-14) includes physical fitness, adventure, outdoor, global and service programme zones, mostly taught through practical work. Sports are competitive, but are deliberately chosen to be different to school. Expedition activities include hikes up to Silver DofE standard (2-3 years ahead of the Silver DofE programme). Scouts are trained and trusted in the use of saws, axes, knives, pioneering equipment, fires, gas, meths and petrol stoves.
Histon Scout Troop has grown to a leader complement of six, and has a good number of Scouts in year 7 and 8 from September, but now has space for girls and boys going into year 6 in September.