Home : News : Schools are closed but 2,500 Scouts enjoy winter adventure
Schools are closed but 2,500 Scouts enjoy winter adventure
08/01/2010
This weekend 2,500 Scouts and Explorer Scouts from across the UK are welcoming in a new year of adventure. The Scouts from as far as Devon and North Wales are braving sub zero temperatures and fields of snow to camp at Gilwell Park in Chingford, the home of Scouting and outdoor adventure.
Winter Camp provides the opportunity for Scouts to take part in over 70 adventurous and fun activities ranging from abseiling to zorbing. Over 1,800 young people and 600 adult leaders will enjoy the experience of sleeping in tents for two nights, cooking on open fires and enjoying a packed snow filled programme led by a team of 200 adult volunteers.
Grace, 15, from Enfield, North London said, 'It’s going to be great! For the first time I’m going to experience climbing and quad biking in the snow.' She added, 'My friends will be at home wrapped up by the fire all weekend and think I am mad. But really it’s great fun and a real laugh. Adventures like this make me feel so alive.'
Chief Scout Bear Grylls who is well known for his adventures around the world, said 'Every young person deserves an adventure. It's great to see that so many young people are going to get stuck into adventurous activities like climbing, abseiling, quad biking and having a go on the high ropes, all in the coldest month of the year.'
You can follow how Winter Camp is going on through twitter with Explorer Scout KJ.
Comments
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By Andy Shan
on 09/01/2010 09:19 Well done to the Scouts for keeping this event going when our education system and Premier League football clubs have been brought to their knees. Enjoy
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By Adrian Full ESL Night Hawks Mid Wilts
on 09/01/2010 13:19 Just heard this reported on BBC Radio 4 1 o'clock news!
Very well done to whoever told the media, and even better for starting off the interview by saying "the parents of our members trust us". A great way for the Movement to start the new decade!
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By John Howard JP
on 09/01/2010 18:08 Brilliant! So pleased that in this age of, "musn't let the chidren risk any danger" The Scouts haven't changed and are as tough as ever! As a former Queens scout of the 1960s I and my buddies, (now in our 60s) are proud of you all! Lads and girls alike! This was THE BEST NEWS OF THE YEAR!
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By Eddie Franklin
on 09/01/2010 20:15 I have just seen it mentioned on the BBC24 channel.Typical, trust the scouting movement to ignore 'inclement' weather :). I remember Gilwell from forty-odd years ago. I wish them all the best and greatest fun !
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By Geoff Turner (AKA Gandolf the Grey)
on 09/01/2010 20:29 Some of us Radio Scouts were chatting to Scouts at the 22nd Australian Scout Jamboree earlier today. They were complaining of temperatures over 40 degrees!
Ex 8th Enfield but now with the 1st Stour Valley Scouts in East Bergholt, Suffolk
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By Philip Bird
on 09/01/2010 23:35 See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8450272.stm
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By Liz Mannering(Walthamstow)
on 10/01/2010 09:49 Well done to the Scouting organisation and Chief Scout Bear for carrying on in the snow. The kids will remember the adventure of surviving our coldest winter for decades (Media people, try Dartmoor any winter!) - the over the top health&safety culture shouldn't be allowed to take the adventure out of life. Well done all, there's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate kit :-)
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By Vanessa Bonner
on 10/01/2010 15:53 Not to be deterred by the wintry conditions Scouts from 1st & 3rd Stowmarket (Phoenix) Scout Group still camped this weekend albeit not in the planned location! The weekend camp had been arranged at Thriftwood in Essex for the Pedal Car Olympics but travel from Suffolk could have been hazardous so it was called off at the last minute. Not to be outdon e though, the camp was relocated to Stowmarket District Camp site in Haughley Park where they all had a great time hiking and orienteering in the snow and backwoods cooking as well as snowy activities like sledging, snowball fights and building snowmen! Well done to all the Scout Leaders for their commitment and giving these young people a weekend to remember.
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By Paul Rawlins- Bucks
on 10/01/2010 17:28 Just got back from this great event and just thawing out, well done to the orgnisers for keeping it running. I understand it was also mentioned on the TV news in New Zealand !!!!!!
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By Jenny Haxell
on 11/01/2010 13:03 Well done Scouts! You've put the schools in Essex to shame with your fortitude, and yes, preparedness. Hope you had a fantastic time.
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