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1st Luton Sea Scouts |
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The scout section of the group caters for boys and girls between the ages of 10½ and 14½. They meet once a week on a Friday night, at our Boating Station during the summer months, and at our Headquarters in Luton during the winter
If you would like more information about the Scouts, please contact Phil Jeffrey, the Scout leader at first.luton.seascouts@hotmail.co.uk or 01582 612568 |
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News Items |
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Summer Camp 2008—Isle of Wight
This year’s summer camp was held at Corf Campsite on the Isle of Wight. 33 scouts and explorers along with 12 leaders attended the weeks camp. The campsite was right on the edge of Newtown Creek leading straight onto the Solent—ideal for sailing, kayaking and powerboating.
The weather at the beginning of the week was a bit rough, which meant that some of the sailing had to be cancelled. This, however, did not stop us getting onto the water as we did more powerboat training (including rough weather handling!). This was a completely new experience for many scouts as we don't normally get 2 metre high waves on Luton Hoo lake!! Very exciting, but very wet—as we’re sure Denzel will confirm! Fortunately as the week progressed, the weather calmed and became ideal for sailing.
As well as the water activities, we had a full programme of land activities, including patrol cooking, pioneering ‘chariot races’, cake making on an open fire and balloon shaving (you would have thought Paddy would have learnt how to shave by now!).
Off the campsite we had a visit to the Bembridge RNLI Lifeboat station where we had a tour around both the offshore and inshore lifeboats. Our trip concluded with Gareth and Greg racing each other to dress as a lifeboatman (Greg being the fastest to get his clothes on!)
The week concluded with a day out at Alum Bay and the Needles where we saw glass blowing, sweet making and got the opportunity to make souvenirs using the coloured sand from the surrounding cliffs. We then managed a trip into Cowes to do some last minute shopping. We then returned to camp for our traditional ‘End of Camp’ Banquet and presentations. Best Patrol was won by PL Nathan Milton and his Ventnor patrol. Best Scout was won by Charlotte Burgess. The prestigious ‘Kipper of the Week’ award went to Greg for bringing an airbed to camp and then sleeping on the ground all week because he couldn't be bothered to pump it up! Well done to all! |
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Summer Camp 2009 - Calshot
In 2009 our Summer Camp was held at Calshot Activity Center. The Center is based right on the south coast between the Solent and Southampton water. Our camp site was so close to the water that you could practically roll out of bed into it! Obviously, this made it a great location for us to make the most of our new sailing boats and our new RIB safety boat.
Even with over 50 people attending the camp, every Scout and most of the Leaders managed to get out in the new boats. The new RIB, "Centenary" performed exceptionally on the sea and all the Scouts got to drive her. I am not sure that all of the Leaders enjoyed jumping over the waves at over 30 knots as much as the Scouts did! The weather for sailing was fantastic with some really strong winds. Unfortunately the campsite took a beating from the winds and some of the tents did not fair too well.
We also kayaked in the bay, built some rafts and made Coracles out of plastic pipe and sheeting. Some where more successful than others.
As well as the water activities we also had a go at some not so wet activities, including a huge foot ball tournament, climbing on one of the largest indoor artificial climbing walls in the country and indoor dry slope skiing. Both the climbing and the skiing provided some great photo opportunities (Philly's facial expression on the ski lift was priceless).
As if we hadn't had enough water fun we also visited a water fun park, full of slides and water rides.
To end the week we got our feet firmly on dry land, well sort off. More like our feet were a bit wobbly 50 foot up in the trees at "Go Ape" high ropes tree adventure course.
We ended the week with out traditional Banquet and awards. Michael Degroot won an award for the Scout who got the most out of the camp, Teagan Jade Oxford's Patrol won the best Patrol award and Scott "Denzil" Spilsbury won the converted "Kipper of the week" award for going down a water slide so fast he ended up screaming like a baby - nice one Denzil.
Thanks to everyone who attended the camp and making it so enjoyable. I hope you had as much fun as I did. See you at the next one.
Phil |
