And so to Sunday, the final day of our Summer Camp 2014. We all rose bright and early, cleared up and loaded the vans, before breaking camp and setting off back for our lunchtime Channel ferry-crossing. We made good time into the port of Calais, but alas there were some delays with the boats, so we sent 3 minibuses on the first boat, while the remainder traveled on the following one. A quick lunch on-board, then back into the buses and onwards towards home.
And for the leaders… BED!!
Our final full day of camp took us back into Bruges to have a final look around our local town, do some last minute souvenir shopping, and take part in some more activities from those we missed earlier in the week due to rain.
We also took the opportunity to explore a little further afield, by hiring what amounted to a “fleet” of bicycles(!) and taking them for a ride around the outskirts of town, seeing the canals, architecture and the windmills.
Back home in the evening we spent a little time packing up ready for tomorrows return trip – as it’s an early start – then we had a movie night, took some camp photos, and had a little free-time before off for a good nights rest.
Another glorious day dawned this morning for our day trip out to the Netherlands. We’re all back together as one group again for activities now, and so after a short journey over the border, we all arrived at the quaint Dutch town of Sluis, with its canals, shopping streets and windmills. We spent some time looking around, ate some lunch, then popped back into Belgium to spend the afternoon at a man-made beach and lake waterside centre. Everyone donned their trunks and played on the beach and water slides while water-skiers passed by on their speedboats.
The fun didn’t stop there – Friday night is PARTY NIGHT! This years theme was the circus, with many of us bringing fancy dress or make-up. So we donned our party gear, had a BBQ and took part in the evenings activities, capped off by a great disco, before retiring to bed quite late, and quite ready for the rest!
(more photos to come soon..)
And so to the second day of our Activity Centre, Land Yachting and Tyne Cot visits.
Today the weather was HOT! In fact so hot, that unfortunately there was no wind either – which meant the Land Yachting had to be cancelled. The Scouts didn’t miss out though. In fact they got to take part in an inflatable rib boat ride, and played games out in the sea between 2 boats. They thoroughly enjoyed it.
The afternoon took them back to the original plan and saw them paying their respects at Tyne Cot cemetery, as part of our “Lest We Forget” .
Meanwhile the groups from yesterday now tried their hands (and feet) at the Activity Centre activities: Climbing the high ropes and wall, Kayaking in the river, BMX riding, Zip riding down the slide, and shooting the breeze on the Archery Range.
We all met up again at the end of the day, for another of our pre-catered 3-course meals and took a little time to relax and reflect on a glorious day.
This morning the weather was great – in fact quite hot, so everyone donned their suncream and set off for their next day of adventure!
The plan is: over the next two days, the groups will be splitting up – going Land Yachting and visiting Tyne Cot one day, while the others spend their time at an activity centre, taking part in Archery, High Ropes, Zip Wire, Kayaking, BMX riding and Climbing. And then swapping for the second day.
By the end of the day, we were all exhausted(!) so had a well-earned a evening’s down-time, where the scouts chilled and some of them showed us their football and Frisbee skills..
Day 3 of our Summer Camp to Belgium took us to Molignee Valley to go Rail Biking and take a visit to a local Abbey.
It looks like we finally had the winning side of the weather – for the whole railbiking session we pedalled away in the bright sun, on the return journey the heavens opened, and then the clouds disappeared and we spent the evening in Ghent.
Monday morning – day 2 of Summer Camp 2014, followed a night of very heavy rain and storms – we all got up feeling somewhat battered! But after a great continental breakfast we braved the weather and set out into Bruges by train, to spend the day literally “soaking” up the sights..
On arrival, we broke up in to smaller groups and visited the Bell Tower, went for trips on the canals, visited the local shops and parks, before heading for a dip in the local pool.
In the evening we learnt about the history behind the “Lest We Forget” slogan, played a Krypton Factor quiz, and headed off to bed just as the clouds finally broke to reveal a glorious end to the day. Here’s hoping for a drier and quieter night!!
We arrived in Dover in plenty of time, and with calm seas and a glorious sky all around, had a very pleasant crossing across the Channel.
Arriving on the other side, the convoy continued on through the top end of France, before arriving at camp around 4pm, local time.
Our kit van was already on-site, so we unloaded, unpacked and put up our tents and spent some time orienting ourselves with the site – a fabulous 20 hectaire woodland site within the rural district of Loppem, near Brugge.
Following a hearty 3-course(!) meal, we had relaxing evening and discussed the week ahead, before off to bed to be ready for the first activity in the morning.
And we’re off!!!
Early this morning, with beautiful skies all around us, we left sunny Reading in high spirits, and headed for the South Coast for the start of our Summer Camp 2014, which this year takes us abroad to Bruges in Belgium.
We have plenty fun in store over the coming week – keep checking back here and we’ll upload pictures and commentary as the week goes on!
Day 4 – Let’s get ready to rumble..
This year 3rd Reading Scout Group is remembering all those who have lost their lives in wars.
All members of the group will be wearing their ‘Lest We Forget’ badge, to commemorate 100 years since the start of World War I
The Scouts and Explorers as part of their summer expedition to Belgium will be visiting the Tyne Cot cemetery where 9000 British soldiers are buried.
Later this year we will be taking part in the annual remembrance day parade in Caversham.
The badges, which all members of the group have been given, should be placed on the left breast of your uniform.
