After a great success at last years camp we decided to do it all again this year, at the last minute we had to change things around, the intention was to do the faith partnership award while at camp but we were let down with just a month to go, so myself and my district leaders had a very productive meeting where we came up with activities that could be used against badge work to help those who struggle with some parts of the badges.
I was contacted by the beaver leader from Metheringham which is Sleaford District asking would it be possible to join our camp, providing I had room not a problem very happy to share our camp with them and they came along to the pre meetings and were very happy with everything that was planned and the price which was brilliant.
The logistics and pre planning that goes on you can only know if you have planned such a camp before, hours of paper work, going to Sudbrooke on various nights to see where each colony would camp, where each activity would go, on the Wednesday evening marking sites off, shopping for all the things required, liaising with Matthew to get the marquee and up to site, getting SASU to help run some activities.
Its is all worth every minute when the Friday evening arrives and you feel the excitement in the air, the anticipation of the leaders, those who have not camped with Beavers before or have new Beavers, will they like it, will they sleep, will they be ok in the night, so many concerns, then the buzz on Saturday as everyone starts to arrive, Beavers so excited you could feel the excitement.
To those who doubt if Beavers can camp the answer is a very big yes they can and they love it, they get so much from being at a large campsite that is not too big but just big enough that they feel free to run and roam around, the activities went very well, they slept well and were asking when are we doing it again, so many Beaver said thank you Nanna Badger that meant so much to me as they hadn’t been prompted, one Beaver even said when I grow up I will be a leader and come and help you bless him don’t think I will be doing it then but would be great if he did go on to be a
leader.
At the de-brief a few things was raised but most were things I had already said need a tweak, but the main feeling was it was a great success again, our friends from Metheringham were very impressed and said they would join us again anytime and thanked the Lincoln leaders for making them feel so welcome.
Many thanks to all who helped make this the great camp it turned out to be.
Nanna Badger (Sandra ADC Beavers)