Gradually a plan started to come together and we decided to camp at Whiteley Woods in Sheffield (well before any threat of floods). We picked a date at the end of June and I made the booking. Then, it all snowballed!
Nearly all the Guides wanted to come and I was only allowed to bring 24, so a few were disappointed. Alyson, Ali and the other Guiders/Unit Helpers got behind me with the planning. And the dreaded file started to come about - its like getting an NVQ in terms of providing evidence for everything, or being OFSTED inspected! I have a large, blue, lever arch file bulging with "stuff" about camp.
One day I jokingly said "after all this I'll be Licensed to Camp"! This became the theme for the camp - all the Guides would be agents-in-training, we would do adventurous activities like archery, canoeing, adventure course, etc. and we would have a bomb-making session - bath bombs of course!
Time went really quickly and of course I got very hassled as we got closer to camp, but everyone kept saying it would be worth it and to keep going. Then the rain started to come down, heavily, in June. Yikes, I thought June would be a good time to camp. Then parents start phoning me to ask if we were still going to camp - in Sheffield. I explained that we were miles away from the floods as seen on TV, nowhere near the rivers Don, Sheaf or Rother, and that we would put the safety of the kids first. We had an emergency meeting of leaders and decided that we could go ahead but be ready to change plans at short notice, be flexible and have lots of crafts ready in case we had to shelter a lot.
So, Friday 29 June came and it was a bit drizzly as we packed up the van. We arrived at Whiteley Woods around noon, started unpacking the van and realised we were putting up tents in glorious sunshine. With great optimism and a break for lunch, we got camp set up and the Guides arrived ready for a good weekend - never mind what the weather did!
We had a campfire on Friday evening and eventually got to sleep despite a bunch of Brazilian students having a party nearby. Yes, OK it started raining in the night and looked as though Saturday wasn't going to be dry at all, but we were determined to stay cheerful. We had to keep changing plans all day and the Guides were very patient. Why did we worry about what they were going to do when it rained? They brought a beachball and played out in the rain! Archery was off, but canoeing was on. The Adventure Course was off, but the blindfold string walk was on. Bath bombs were off, but badge making was on. And the caterers kept us really well fed all weekend - nice one Ali-G!
My assessor came lunchtime Saturday and was very pleased with everything, no problem! PS. She gave me a brilliant report and I'm nearly ready to hand over my file. I'll let you know when I get my badge and certificate.
We had fun sorting out our BBQs on Saturday night and smoked out the camping barn. The indoor campfire was great fun and showed how much our Guides like the traditions of Guiding that include making up stunts and singing daft songs. And yes, I took them on a Lion Hunt!
It really rained on Saturday night and well into Sunday morning - I didn't sleep much thinking that we were going to have rivers through our tents and have to send the girls home early. It always sounds worse on the side of the tent and we survived the night. Unfortunately, the midnight feast in the next tent didn't survive Bethany's stomach, so we had some cleaning up to do. Note to self - next camp parents meeting, tell this story and ask parents not to send "treats" to camp with their daughters!
It was sunny again on Sunday and we got most of the tents home dry. A few tired leaders and some differences of opinion caused some tension amongst the adults, but the girls enjoyed their last day and we just about got cleared up as parents were arriving. Thanks to those who arrived early and helped.
Alisha made her promise at the closing ceremony - Ahh, she's growing up! Loads of hugs all around as the Guides gradually left. Then it decided to rain again and we had to bring the store tent home wet. Thanks to Dore Guides for the loan of tents - they're all dry and returned now. Thanks to Pennine Division for loan of tents and other equipment. Thanks to Shirley at Whiteley Woods for being so supportive - shame she's moving on soon, we'll miss her. Thanks to my fellow Guiders for their hard work. Thanks to the Guides for being patient, cheerful, helpful and glad you had fun.
Roll on next camp! OK, after a break of a year or so!!!
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