Ascension : 1ST ASCENSION GUIDES OVERNIGHT CAMP
Submitted by The Islander (Nathan Prince) 15.06.2006 (Article Archived on 29.06.2006)

With the girls all aboard the Guide Mini Bus we set off to have an overnight camp at Garden Cottage on the evening of Friday 9th June. This was only the second time camp for, Khiya, Lucy, Lauren, Louanne, Imogen, Shannon, Nicola, Hannah, Gemma and Jasmine so you can imagine the excitement in the air for the younger ones!! Those who have been to camp umpteen times just played it “cool”.

Once their evening meal was over I told them to walk through the tunnel.  Thinking I would have had a bit of peace and quiet for at least an hour, I was mistaken when they trooped thru the door 15 minutes later!!!  Telling me they would not risk it due to been too scared!!!  The lights were on too all the way – scaredy cats or what????  I should have asked a few Scouts to lurk in there just to really boost things up!!

It didn’t ended here because each Patrol had to make up mini plays in connection with their Go For It challenge – Life Wise.  This is about Bullying and Friendship.  When this had been rehearsed ready for the next day, hot chocolate, cake, biscuits and marshmallows were served.  During which time Big Bro’ was watched and then straight to bed.  They didn’t settle until after 2 a.m. due to Gemma and Jasmine up to their mischievousness and no-one could get to sleep, much to the annoyance of Robert who was trying to sleep in the top room!!! 

I didn’t hear anything due to the fact I was asleep in the car outside the cottage parked in front of the Green Houses.  Why?????  Well I do not like the thought of a cockroach looking at me so thought it best to sleep here – lovely and comfortable, but dreary too.!!!  This may seem silly because no cockroach was seen and I know the surroundings get sprayed regularly, but I still have fear of them anyway!!

Next day Emma, Lauren, Lucy and Khiya made the brunch of Cheese and Egg Burger rolls which was served right on time at 10:30 a.m.  Once this was all eaten and tummies rested the cottage was tidied and all camp gear taken outside ready for take off.  

The mini plays were performed and done to perfection.  There were more Go For It Challenges – Health and Football (most appropriate for the World Cup Day).  With teabags soaked and put onto their eyes they looked like goggle-eyed monsters!!!  Not a wrinkle was in sight once the teabags were removed!  I use them all the time!!!  We didn’t get hold of a cucumber to see which was best but this will be done soon!

The Football challenge was to know all about the game, throw in, corners, offside etc…  This went down well with 3 5-a-side teams (5 didn’t make the camp) if not we would have had our 4 teams.  There were alorra lorra kicking up the backside, shins and elbowing but it was fun.  Thinking after these tiring matches they were to chill-out on the lawn and suntan – I had other ideas in mind……………..Healthiness was still on the cards………….they were marched to the tunnel AGAIN and this time we all went thru.  Just as the girls were about to move into the tunnel they saw a figure in the distance that disappeared.  With screams and shouts telling me that a man in there they rushed out almost knocking me over.  There was someone, but only a hiker – poor man I don’t know who was more afraid - him or them!!

Once everyone was thru we made our way back up the hill opposite the Water Catchment, rested at the top then back to the cottage where juice was served before making our way home.

I do hope you enjoy reading what we got up to.  The next one is the Survival Camp………….so watch this space.

Cheryl