East Grinstead District Scouts

1st East Grinstead Cubs London Camp 2010

By Sarah -Buckhurst Pack
As I arrived at the car park on Friday 1st October I could feel the sensations of camp kicking in.

Getting on the coach I was a tiny bit down hearted because all the seats next to my school friends were taken but thankfully a minute later Lewis came and sat on the coach.
About two hours later (according to my head and calculations) we were there. We all had a stretch, then we had to carry all the bags into the hall we had been given. Next we found our bags and took them into our rooms and unpacked. We went back into the hall and Akela took us for a tour around our accommodation. Then we came back and and had hot dogs,I had seconds(as usual). By now it was quite late so we didn’t have time for a wide game. Instead, we found our wash bags and went for a wash. When we came back we got changed into our pj’s and got into bed. We had a chat while the boys next door told ghost stories, but most annoyingly knocked on our wall!

The next morning after a breakfast of bacon, sausages, bread and beans we set off for London. We caught the train at 9 o’clock and that took us to Victoria. At Victoria we caught the tube which was rather cramped. The tube took us to Tower Bridge Station. Here we got off and made our way to HMS Belfast. As we queued to get in, Tower Bridge raised and a boat went underneath… very exciting! HMS Belfast had huge turrets and it also had asbestos on board. Luckily it was sealed over! There was an example of a torpedo which was the width of the hall at cubs!! After HMS Belfast we had a long walk around London and saw the Golden Hinde.

Finally we arrived at the surprise checkpoint. When we saw the yellow buses we realised we were going on a duck tour… vehicles which can go on land and water!! We went all around central London and learnt about Nelson’s Column. When we went on the river we were low in the water and we saw all of the banks of London (Toby fell asleep).

When we got back on land loads of water was pouring out of the sides of the DUKW vehicle. We made our way back to the checkpoint and then headed off back to camp. Back at camp we had a surprise arrival… Bear Grylls was landing on our campsite. He landed in a helicopter and spoke to the scouts. Then he came to us and asked a few questions. After that we all got our scarves signed… which means they can never be washed again! That night we had bolognese for tea and we played two games.

The next day we woke up at 7 o’clock and got ready. When we were fully prepared to go we packed all our bags in the mini bus and had a flag break. Then we set off. It took an hour to get to Greenwich and on the way to the museum there were lots of conkers. At the museum we had a quick walk around and then went into the house where we had a look through a telescope which had a Disney character at the end!! Next we went into the observatory and sat in a big room that we had to look up in. We watched an interactive film about the planets and stars. we then headed back home on the minibuses and got back to Imberhorne about half past four all feeling very tired. We had an exciting and fun packed weekend!

By Jasmine – Walker Pack
I really enjoyed the weekend. I thought that HMS Belfast was very good because it showed you what all the jobs were on the ship and I liked the big guns.The Duck tour was good I especially liked it when it went in the water. Seeing Bear Grylls was a great surprise. The things we did in Greenwich were good apart from it was a bit wet and rainy. I couldn’t`t choose a favourite part of the weekend because I liked it all.

By Lewis – Buckhurst Pack
Firstly we got on a coach to Dulwich and when we arrived there it was time for bed. The next day we got up at 6.30am and had breakfast and we went on the HMS Belfast, went on a duck tore and saw the London brige open. Then we went back and saw bear grills then had our dinner and went to bed. After that went to the Royal Observatree in Greenwich where I saw large telescopes and then went in the planetarium. Then we went to the maritime museum. I had a great weekend and enjoyed it all.

By Katie – Walker Pack
At the weekend (1-3rd October) we travelled to South London Scout Centre in Dulwich for our Cub Camp.
The Walker Cubs went with the Buckhurst cubs and altogether there were sixteen of us with leaders from both packs.
We were all paired up as we were going to board the train to London Victoria and we saw many exciting views on the way. When we arrived we had to play a game to see who could find a starbucks/ coffee/ tea café. Jasmine got 10 points for spotting a pastry tea shop!!
As soon as we had got off the train, we went to the nearest tube station, and boarded the tube to Tower Bridge to go onto the HMS Belfast.

We were allowed to look around the boat by ourselves and visit the six levels within the ship after we finished looking around we were allowed to visit the shop to by a souvenir.
Afterwards we walked all the way to Westminster to board our next transport which was the London Duck Tour; these are vehicles that travel on the road as well as on the river. This was awesome and didn’t leak!!
We went back to Camp to find out that we had a special visitor flying in and it turned out to be our Chief Scout, Bear Grylls, he was coming to visit the World Jamboree Scouts and he stopped to talk to us all and find out what we had been up to. Bear very kindly autographed our scarfs and we all had our picture taken with him.
On Sunday, we visited the London Observatory and Planetarium (only one in London) and we got a chance to stand on the visible Meridian Line. We also visited the Maritime museum where we saw Nelson’s uniform, we learnt about the history of pirates and learnt morse code.
Unfortunately we had to leave London behind and come home to East Grinstead.
I would like to say a big thank you to all the Leaders and helpers for making this camp possible and making it one of the best camps I have ever been on.

Photos from the 2010 Soap Box Derby, Congratulations to 6th East Grinstead, who won both the Beaver and Cub competitions, and to 1st EG Dolphin troop winning the Scout Class.

In the leader/explorer class, Griffyn Explorers, walked away with the cuddly toy. Congratulations to all who took part!.

More photos in the Gallery

Senior Cubs from the District went to camp on one of the hottest weekends of the Year.

The Cubs in there last Year as a Cub took part in activities to prepare them for the change to the Scout Section.

Activities included:Orienteering, Pioneering, Backwoods Cooking, A Hike over the Forest, Wide Games, Cooking their own breakfast.

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See all the photos in the gallery

Over the first weekend in May, Oak Pack Camp and invited some parents to help with catering etc as part of ”The Big Adventure”

We invited the Parents on May 1st, the first day of the Big adventure and It is our Groups first activity (and maybe the Districts first activity) .

Thanks to all the parent who came to lend a hand!

Sunday 18th April, saw the streets of East Grinstead fall silent as traffic was held up at several road junctions around the town. The silence was broken by the sounds of the drums of the marching band as the parade marched up the high street watched by local residents and high street businesses.

One onlooker commented how pleased they were that Scouts still celebrated our Patron Saints day, reminding him of his younger days as a Scout many years ago.

County Commissioner John Spickett was also on hand to present Ron Trumpeter with his Silver Acorn award for his many years of work for the Scouts.

This was the first time is several years that the Saints Day celebration has included a parade, so well done to all of our young people who turned up looking very smart.

We would like to welcome our two new Scout Groups to the District!

From 1st April, 1st Ardingly Scout Group, and the 1st Horstead Keynes and Danehill Scout Groups now join East Grinstead District. We hope you will feel welcome, and look forward to meeting the leaders and members over the coming months at all the activities we have planned.

Keep an eye out for those new scarf colours, and say hello!

On saturday 27th March Cubs from the 8th East Grinstead Scout Group planted around 70 new trees at Local Scout Campsite Broadstone Warren.

Nearly all the young members were there to help plant the saplings, and thier hard work was rewarded with a picnic and some potholing at the site.

Well done to all of our green fingered young people!

Cubs from the 1st Turners Hill & Crawley Down Oak Pack recently scaled the heights of the Blacklands Farm Climbing Wall.

The indoor climbing wall is a great way for young people to get a first taste of rock climing, without having to worry about the weather. As you can see from the photos, it looks like they had a great time!

See more photos (Photos John Marsh)

On Sunday 7th Feb, over 45 young people from Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers were presented with their Chief Scout Award.

Each Section has its own CSA which rewards and promotes commitment, self-motivation, teamwork, skills (both life-skills and Scouting), and many more qualities which can be developed in young people.

It is also used as the core of the Scouting programme, as the requirements of the award vary from participation in community activities, to more traditional Scouting activities such as camping.

Each of the you people presented with the awards have demonstrated they have reached the highest level of their sections, and should be proud of thier achievements.