It started as an idea to my Section Leader for a couple of hours on the water for our Cubs which, as I’m sure most leaders can relate to, then turned into a full weekend of activity, along with a camp and opened the session up to the Scouts as well. It was the best idea in the world!

We chose the Caldecotte Xperience at the George Amey Centre in Simpson, Milton Keynes as one of our Cubs’ parents and committee member had recommended it and as a registered charity themselves, they are aware of our abilities and constraints and I have to say, it was the best move in the world. They catered for our needs brilliantly and on more than one occasion, I was accused of arranging “Glamping” – Well it’s not every day you have a marquee set up for you with tables and chairs laid out, with electric lighting, electric fridge and drinking water nearby on a Scout Camp, I could see their point, however we most definitely were not complaining !

It started on Saturday 23 September 2017 when 40 of our young people, consisting of a very new Cub who had only just moved up from Beavers to one of our Explorer Young Leaders, who were initially asked to set up camp.

The tents were allocated and off they went. The Scouts, of course, had their tents up in no time, but in true Scouting spirit, they helped the Cubs and within an hour or so, the camp was set up. In my mind, the layout was due to be a perfectly symmetrical semi-circle but true to form, the tents were erected pretty much as they fell out the bags facing in all directions, but they were up and the youngsters were all feeling very pleased with themselves. Who was I to argue?