On Friday 27th February 23 Monday cubs, 12 Parents and 6 Leaders left the HQ at 6pm and travelled in a 9 car convey over to the Forest of Dean. We were staying at ‘The Polish Scout House’ nr Lydney. This is a large mansion house that is owned by The Polish Scout Association for the use of the Polish Scout based in the UK. They have now begun to let it out to UK Scouts.

After an hours drive we arrived at the house, which is in total darkness so a good torch is fully recommended as it very dark until you put on the electricity. We then set about having a quick tour of the house to find where we were going to sleep etc and then we all set about the task of unloading the trailer and cars. Once everything was unloaded the Cubs were put into their sixes for the weekend and their Sixers took them to their rooms to set up their beds ready for bed time.

The whole weekend was based around the Science Badge. The first challenge the Cubs had was to try and make crystals using a cleaning agent called Borax, according to the internet information they should form overnight, so with a little assistance with the boiling water the Cubs made 6 pointed star shapes using pipe cleaners and then submersed them in the Borax solution and left them to see what would happen. We were very lucky to have a very good friend of mine on camp with us, Cath, she is a Cub Scout Leader in Devon, I haven’t been on camp with Cath for a long time but the one thing I remember about Cath in camp that she does a super at Camp Fires so on the Friday night we set the Dads off to make a camp fire and once we had finished with the crystals the Cubs made their way up to the Camp Fire Circle and had a wonderful singsong around the campfire followed by supper of Burgers in a roll cooked by our own resident chef Tony Mullins (one of the dads) Finally we dragged the Cubs and Dads away from the fire very late and sent them all off to bed and within about half an hour their was complete quiet and only the sound of zzzzzzzz coming from the Cubs rooms. Time for the leaders and parents to have sometime to ourselves and get to know one another.

Saturday morning the Cubs didn’t wake to early just before 7am was when I heard them which was very good going for Cubs in camp. Our now nicknamed chef Tony or Gordon Ramsey as he became known was up cooking breakfast and after a quick cup of tea Akela was feeling more human and ready for the day. The Cubs were told to get up, wash and dress and start to lay out their kit ready for Kit inspection. This is a new experience for quite a few unless you have been to a Friday Beaver Sleepover, most of the Cubs were able to follow their Sixers instructions on how to lay out their kit ready for inspection and the sudden realisation that points were given for inspection made the realise that their Sixers were not just pulling rank over them. After breakfast we had flag break or last least we were suppose to have flag break only Akela hadn’t tied the knot holding the flag to the rope very well and it came apart, not a problem normally but as the flag pole was about 30 foot high this did pose a bit of a problem, challenge number 1 for the Dads and Leaders, how to get the flag down and retied correctly so we could actually have the flag flying during camp. Well the Scout Motto of ‘Be Prepared’ and thanks for some excellent problem solving skills they managed to get the flag down and sorted. (see the photos for the evidence of good teamwork) After this little distraction we got back to the programme, we made Parachutes, paper gliders and also hot air balloons, all of which we had to test to see if they flew. Some of Cubs will make good aviators in the future as there were some really great flying machines made. Tony ‘Gordon Ramsey’ Mullin got his cooking team together once again for a super lunch which was very much appreciated by all after our hard work with various flying machines. After lunch we worked on other badge projects and after another great meal cooked by the resident camp chef and team we set about making lighthouses that actually lit up using simple battery circuits. The Cubs were very tired so bed was quite early on Saturday night and very quickly not a sound could be heard apart from the zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz again.

Sunday morning saw a fairly lazy start to the day as most of the Cubs slept in to a fairly reasonable time for Cubs :o) After another well cooked breakfast from the ‘Gordon Ramsey’ team a game of rounders was the call of the day before we started to clear up the house. With all the people staying it was quite a task but the saying many hands make light work is quite true. Mid morning and time for a break everyone was gathered for a drink but ‘Gordon Ramsey’ aka Tony could not be found after a short search we found him tucked up in his bed, well just as well lunch was an easy affair and the ‘Gordon Ramsay’ touch was not needed. I think we tired him out over the weekend but the food was wonderful and it was made even better as the leaders didn’t have to think about food once it was all sorted and taken out of our hands all we had to think about was having fun with the Cubs and that’s not a difficult task but one we love.

A wonderful weekend was had but all and it came to an end all to quickly. I must thank all the leaders for their support with this one and all the parents who attended the weekend. You were all amazing and we really really enjoyed having you in camp with us and hopefully we haven’t put to many of you off attending again, and most of you were able to forget your sons were there and just enjoyed yourselves.

Allison Moore (Akela) and all the Monday Cub Leaders.