Scout Winter Camp January 2024

Wye Valley Winter Camp

51 Scouts, 6 Explorer Scouts (the older section) and 10 leaders braved the elements in the Wye Valley for a weekend. On the Friday evening we prepped for an all day hike, marking up our route and learning navigation skills. Working out what we needed to pack, how to keep safe and how to consume a mega hot dog. The last part not so important for the hike, but an important part of the evening.  The eight mile trek took us along the beautiful Wye Valley, up to Symmonds Yat, where the views were incredible. 

The Explorers ran several checkpoints on route, where some brilliant team challenges were set for each hike group to master – the cook a pot noodle on a Trangia (meth based stove) being a firm favourite.  A giant frozen field puddle enabled some ad hoc ice skating and a super steep long grassy field saw some incredible hill rolling. Made me feel dizzy watching them! That evening we had lots of ‘party games’ had us all in fits of giggles. How long can you roll a Malteser down a tape measure to an open mouthed person?

Sunday we packed up and then headed off for a morning of activities. Tommahawks (axe throwing), Archery, Whittling, Catapults, First Aid, Paracord bracelets, Axing (hand and lumberjack) and sawing. While our Explorer Scouts headed underground, caving in Abergavenny.

Camps are so much more than ‘a weekend away’. Important skills were learnt, not just physical ones, but in team work, leadership, communication and how to support both yourself and each other. It’s a privilege to watch our scouts grow and friendships be made for life. A massive thank you to the leaders who put so many hours into making the difference, from arranging transport, to feeding over 60! Super star volunteers, Lightwater is lucky to have you Jono, Nathaniel, Kara, Karen, Rob, Mark, Rachel, Kat and Cheril!

Chrissy