Thurstaston Chamboree 2010

@ home Sunday morning

2010-08-08T11:35:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone - hope you all had a good nights sleep, I did, long hot shower followed by tea, film and then bed.
Saturday went as well as any coming home day we have had, Scouts and Explorers all worked really hard and well together and camp was down and packed away in record time - we had our final lunch together. Then our own closing ceremony, presented the badges and lowered the flag - it was quite sad, brought a lump to my throat. We had such a great time you almost didn't want to go home, but all good things come to an end and we are already planning next years summer camp together !
I would like to personally thank each and every Scout and Explorer, camp was great because of you all, thanks for your humour, your good behaviour and your obvious appreciation, both said and unsaid. We all have fantastic memories, we will put together a photographic memory for each of you and then between them and the blog you can tell your family all about it.
Finally before I sign off a special mention to your Leaders, Shelagh, Andy and Mark, who all worked so hard to make this camp the success it was, taking a week from their own holiday time to spend with you Scouts and Explorers - without them we couldn't do it and I hope that each and every one of you will make the time and effort to say thank you to them.
Hope you all have a great summer and we will see you all back at Scouts in September.

Chamboree 2010 blog - over and out - till the next time

Sue x

last day at Chamboree

2010-08-06T22:06:00.000+01:00

another great day at the Chamboree - the Scouts were off site for the day at Tatton Park, we were bussed to the park for a day of land and water activities. In the morning there was lots on offer, aerial runways, mountain bikes, orienteering and more. After lunch it was on to the lake, bell boats, raft racing, kayaks, dragon boats, toppers, sailing, open canoes, everyone got two sessions on different things and had a great time.
Explorers had Urban and power zones and had a quiet day without us all - they also got the spuds and veg done for tea, sausages mash, veg and onion gravy followed by the camp favourite pie and custard. This evening we have had our sub camp and main camp closing ceremony - we are currently being entertained bu a Kylie lookey likey but she sounds a lot more likey than the Robbie at the opening ceremony. As we speak Andy is playing cards with 11 of the Scouts, this has been a firm favourite each night - nomination - get them to teach you ! they love it ! More fireworks are promised tonight - at least it is dark this time so should be pretty spectacular.
The Scouts and Explorers have had a great camp and behaviour has been spectacularly good all week, they have made real friends from the two groups, really got to know each other well and genuinely enjoyed being together. From the Leaders point of view it has been a pleasure to have them on camp - we are exhausted but again in a good way, Scouting has brought us together as a family, a very large family this week and it's been fabulous. Thank you and good night.

Sue x

more pics

2010-08-05T20:06:00.002+01:00

more pics

2010-08-05T20:03:00.002+01:00

Thurs afternoon

2010-08-05T19:53:00.001+01:00

back again - all had a fab time laser shooting, clay pigeon shooting, water rockets, archery, cross bows, laser quest, rifle shooting, Andy thought he had the winner but Will beat him by one point ! Shelagh and I had to go to the shops again - all this fresh air is making them hungry and guess what we ran out of again today ?? fruit...........
the talent contest is held tonight we don't have any entries - we did try but sadly none were successful, we are one less James has gone home, jetting off to warmer climes tomorrow early, lucky boy.
tomorrow we are off site with the Scouts at the lake at Tatton for water activities and some land based, Explorers go to the power zone and urban and then cook our tea for our return so we can be on time for the grand closing ceremony, tomorrow night

more tomorrow - if the battery lasts - Sue

wednesday activities - again computer crashed !

2010-08-05T14:13:00.000+01:00

just typed loads about yesterday and the computer crashed - so here goes again ! Scouts were in the Global Zone mostly under cover as it rained all morning and most of the night - no major disasters with the rain - a few puddles in the tents - one unfortunate Group on Camelot lost their mess tent in the rain - so we checked and double checked all our guy ropes. Waterproofs took time to emerge - many claiming not to be able to find them - 'Mum didn't pack one' funnily enough they all found them when I offered my spare turquoise or bright orange one. lots to do in Global crafts such as friendship bracelets, god's eyes (??) little woolly men things (Jess's description not mine) wicker weaving, bell ringing, shelter box, sign language demo, and water conservation. Explorers were in the energy zone for the afternoon, having spent the morning in skills skinning and preparing rabbits, wood pigeons etc - did I tell you they cooked tea Tues night - pasta bolognese - we all lived to tell the tale - very good it was too - don't let them tell you anymore they can't cook ! we even had garlic bread - the Leaders appreciated a night off. Energy zone was foamed up for the explorers they had a fab time. Wed tea was another treat - fish and chips, followed by rhubarb crumble and custard served up for us in the International tent - we pre ordered it seemed like a good idea and it was excellent. Evening entertainment was a live band - right up David's (our resident musician) street, we listened from camp they were quite good and an improvement on the robbie looky not soundy likey last Saturday.
Today the Scouts have been looking forward to all week - urban zone - go carts, catapults, bmx bikes, mountain bikes, skate boarding, assault course and more - they didn't want to leave - even I had a go on the go carts (the pedal type) ably assisted by the leader running it ! - Andy did the mountain bike course - tried to beat Dom's time (53 sec) and has now taken to his bed totally jiggered - but is on the board as the fastest leader so far ! who said Leaders weren't competitive ?
They have gone off for their afternoon activity zone - power shooting etc - better go and see how they are getting on they left early so they were first in the queue !

more later ....................

another pic

2010-08-04T17:01:00.000+01:00

more pics

2010-08-04T16:56:00.000+01:00

pictures

2010-08-04T16:52:00.002+01:00

today's pictures

2010-08-04T16:49:00.000+01:00

A (very) Short Video

2010-08-04T16:05:00.000+01:00

Tues - day late net book ran out of battery

2010-08-04T13:53:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone - sorry no blog yesterday the net book needed re charging - that's done now so here goes for Tues. Scouts were on the skills zone in the morning - pioneering, making pegs from pieces of wood, making ginger bread men and eating them, bread twists etc ! friendship bracelets, some pioneering projects including swings and a rope bridge were made for them to try out. Explorers were in the Arena - a games / chill area - they took a look around and then decided to go and have a shower !!!!!!!!!!!! without being told !! In the afternoon the Explorers were in the Olympia zone - rock climbing, pillow fights, rowing machines and they could have a go for the Athlete badge. In the afternoon Scouts were in the Energy zone a range of inflatables and gladiators with chemistry workshops, circus skills, tug of war with a car ! they had a great time.

The evening entertainment was a stunt man - Jez Avery on a stunt bike and then a great camp fire where we were entertained by the contingent from Sierra Leone and Kenya. Most of the Scout are thoroughly tired but in a good way and our morning routine involves metal pans and ladles.

more later

Sue

another pic

2010-08-02T20:56:00.002+01:00

more pics

2010-08-02T20:51:00.000+01:00

Monday morning - Scouts on bases time to write the blog

2010-08-02T10:39:00.000+01:00

sorry Jess just arrived to get her money out of the bank so blog interrupted ! too tired to blog last night so will bring you up to speed from yesterday
Explorers were off site for the day for a CSI experience - didn't quite happen for our guys as the numbers were too large but they did have alternatives - low ropes - driving school - yes real cars (with an instructor - don't think they got out of 1st gear ) there was an opportunity to wallow in mud but they chose not to !
Cubs had a morning on the activity field and Scouts had a challenge morning - the challenge for some of them seemingly actually finding the activity ! Our visitors arrived Dave & Marjorie our Hon president and his wife just in time for lunch. After lunch we all assembled in the main arena and watched a jousting tournament with the Knights of middle England. followed by a record breaking attempt at Wobble boarding - the previous record 666 held by West Wirral District - providing it is verified the record was broken at 2881 wobble boarding to 'tie me kangaroo down'
The cubs finished packing - the Scouts took their tents down and we said goodbye as they headed for home after a fantastic weekend at their first International camp.
tea was corned beef hash - beans, peas or sweetcorn followed by pie and custard
last night was a neon night - all the scouts made a fantastic effort - will upload the pic later - they looked fab - they ran a version of Saturday night takeaway - we managed to get five on stage at various Kayleigh, Dom, Will and Liam and Nathan - 4 winners at play your cards right (higher higher, lower etc) Dom and Will got goody bags Liam chose a lifesize cardboard cut out of the stig !!!!!!!!!!! and Nathan won a phone !! yes a real one
the disco continued till gone 11 - we stayed on camp and joined in yes it was that loud ! scouts came back hot chocolate and swiss roll for supper (almost a midnight feast) - then off to bed

signing off for now - Scouts had to be woken this morning - some would still be there I think ! Explorers off site again - their water activity day - more later coffee has arrived

cheers

Sue x

Cubs depart after thrilling jousting tournament

2010-08-01T17:28:00.000+01:00

first day at Chamboree

2010-08-01T00:11:00.000+01:00

first day for the Cubs -breakfast of cereal followed by bacon rolls, 8 activity bases covering a variety of zones - global, urban, power, energy, olympia, skills from bell ringing, go carts, athlete badge, rifle shooting, gladiators, bouncy castle, pillow fights, catapults, rope bridge, circus skills, giant football and the list goes on. Finished for tea - chicken casserole, pie and custard,sang happy birthday to Carrick and shared his cake amongst 42 of us ! then it was off to the grand opening ceremony attended by the now 4000 campers on site, entertainment was provided by Chamboree X a group of explorers who got the whole thing going with the macarena, YMCA, stomp, 5678 and more. then the audience had a chocolate treat with hundreds of wrapped chocs being flung into the audience - never seen the Cubs move so quick. Then came duck throwing ! mini plastic ducks thrown out into the audience whoever caught one got a prize - no one was that lucky although they got plenty of chocs. Then the highlight (not sure for whom) of the evening a Robbie lookie likey ( not really soundy likey) but he was entertaining ! finale was a fantastic fireworks display followed by a disco, back to base for hot chocolate and malt loaf -then bed for the Cubs.
Scouts have spent the day familiarising themselves with the sub camp and finding their way around, Explorers took part in ready steady cook experience. All the Camp members got their yellow Chamboree t shirts - we have put their names in them !
Weather is much improved - a few showers and some sun even ! more tomorrow

Sue

arrived safely !

2010-07-30T23:09:00.000+01:00

hi everyone well we are here - a bit soggy !! had an indoor camp fire in the main arena Cubs had a fab time, kids are in bed not quiet yet but its the first night - close to the toilets not sure if that's a good thing ! full day planned tomorrow - activities sound great will try and get some photos up tomorrow so you can get the scale of the place it's huge by tomorrow night will be 4000 on site !!

more tomorrow

Sue - Akela

on site thurs eve

2010-07-29T20:50:00.000+01:00

hi everyone

on site tents up - well most of them left the scouts !! see you tomorrow

Sue -akela

Wed 28th but really 29th

2010-07-29T00:06:00.000+01:00

at hut tonight to get all the camp equip out - such a lot to take - so.... much food but the menu looks good.

going on site tomorrow for the first time to set up the tents etc

will try out the dongle - see if I can get a 3g signal

if not will do via my husband (text etc)- not quite as authentic but a blog none the less

Sue - Akela

Sunday 25th July 2010

2010-07-25T12:57:00.002+01:00

Hi everyone

decided to keep a blog (first time ever) for the camp, so you can all log in and see what your little darlings are up to - provided I can get a 3G signal on the dongle ! in a field in Cheshire !

5 days to go - even I am excited !

Sue - Akela

Chamboree Blog

2010-07-25T12:46:00.000+01:00

Welcome to the Chamboree Blog 2010 for 1st Thurstaston Scout Group. we'll be keeping everybody up to date with what's going on at this years Chamboree, an international Scout camp held very 4 years.

Check back regularly for updates with what we're getting up to, and keep your fingers crossed for good weather !

Sue

Akela, 1st Thurstaston.