2nd Bothwell Explorer Scouts
Explorers Camp - Shell Bay – Elie
The purpose of this camp was to allow the Explorers to get away and practice living in small tents and catering for themselves, all in preparation for their Duke of Edinburgh expedition!
We couldn’t have asked for better weather for the trip and we arrived on site (after several long delays through accidents and road works) and set about getting the tents put up. ESU worked well and with little drama (though with much squeaking and squealing from Squeak!) they were all good to go.
We wandered down the short distance to the beach and a great time was had by all, watching the grey seals, paddling in the sea and throwing sand at each other (!)
My mum packed it!
The self catering practice part of the expedition showed that despite a comprehensive power point led presentation on the types of food suitable for wild camping expeditions being shown to the Unit... nobody took any heed! The range of unsuitable food stuffs for carrying was astounding and roundly blamed on “the parents”.
They (the ESU) will change their eating habits I’m sure……..especially when they have to start carrying the stuff any distance. That said, they did all eat and I’m sure a few lessons were learned.
Leaders winning yet another point... nah, our celebrations were better than that!
The day finished off with some beach volleyball where the Leaders proved that Top Gun had nothing on them!
The XIII ESU then showed the good people of Fife how to get a real fire going on the beach and many marshmallows were melted as the sun went down before the Leaders retired to bed and the ESU attended at the playpark in their Jammies!
Keep the food dry!
Next day dawned with….eh….torrential rain, which led to some ingenious cooking methods by the boys as well as a particularly helpful lesson that if you leave things lying outside your tent they’ll get wet! Especially if your mum isn’t there to clear up after you.
Ice cream and chips (not together but in that order) were enjoyed in Anstruther before our journey home.
All in all a good, chilled out weekend with a few good learning points raised.
Craig
P.S. More photos are available on the Media page!
