WINTERCAMP 2018 SCOUTS2
1st MADRID SCOUTS2
Early on Saturday morning we gathered in the Madrid overcast at St Georges School to board the bus!
We left on time and headed up into the mountains, this time towards the West of Madrid, near San Martin de Valdeiglesias, and we stayed at a Campsite known as the “Red Squirrel” (La Ardilla Roja).
The campsite was ideally sited in a forest and next to a beautiful lake, the Embalse San Juan.
By now the sun was beginning to appear!
On arrival the Scouts set to pitching their tents, then Opening Ceremony and once that was done, lunch was next on the list!
As the Scouts would be doing all of their own cooking for themselves this weekend, they had to get to grips with using different types of gas cylinders, learning the safety rules and gaining experience under the keen eyes of their Leaders. After all the Leaders would have to eat what the Scouts were cooking so we were all keen to get well cooked food!
Lunch was Paella, and our AGSL said it was “the best camp food he had ever tasted”, with onions, tomatoes, chicken, pork, peppers and rice all prepared and cooked by the Scouts.
Next was a short walk through the forest and fun at the nearby Aventura Amazonia, with all the Scouts enjoying the high ropes, zip wires and climbing nets very much!
A walk back to the Campsite, time for a quick game then on with preparing Dinner!
Saturday night dinner was Pasta and tomato sauce, perfect after a long day in the mountains, and the Scouts again prepared and cooked the meal, washing up afterwards both their own plates and the cooking pots.
Once Dinner was cleared away, we were treated to a traditional Scout Campfire! Performing our jokes, little skits/plays and singing songs together, before the long day caught up with everyone and we headed off to bed.
Early the next morning the leaders helped the Scouts to wake up (!) and they started cooking breakfast, sausages, eggs, bacon and beans with bread, and the lovely cooking smell soon woke all the other sections too!
Once again the Scouts prepared, cooked and cleared away their own breakfast, with lots of noisy washing up to follow.
We then struck our tents before the forecasted rain would arrive and began preparations for our 10 Kilometre Hike in the surrounding area.
We hiked up into the mountains and around the lake, taking nearly 4 hours to complete the route. It helped our Scouts towards the Navigator, Hikes and other Challenge Awards! Lunch was Ham and Cheese Bocadillos the Scouts prepared before their hike and carried with them.
Then back to the Campsite in time for the rain to arrive in just the last half hour of our weekend, we had our Closing Ceremony, including investing a new member of Scouts2 and welcoming him into Scouting, then boarding the bus home, amazingly on time again! With lots of happy, tired Scouts!