
Camping standards
You will need
- Pens or pencils
- A4 paper
- Folders
- Camping equipment
- Food
Reflection
It’s up to you whether you reflect at the camp or the next time you meet.
The camping standards competition needed everyone to work as a team to help people lead. Everyone had a chance to be the leader for a different task or category. Great leadership often relies on a great team. How did people support their leaders? Maybe they listened carefully to instructions or made helpful suggestions about how to build on ideas.
Did anyone see a great example of leadership from someone who wasn’t the chosen leader for that category? People don’t need to have the title ‘leader’ to help lead. For example, people may have explained the leader’s instructions to other people in the team, or helped the leader organise their thoughts and ideas to find the best way forwards. Leadership isn’t just something that goes downwards from the top. It can go sideways (among teammates), upwards (to those leading), or diagnonally (to other teams).
Being a leader’s about doing your best, even before you see the results. Sir Alex Ferguson said ‘There’s a lot of satisfaction that comes from knowing you’re doing your best, and there’s even more that comes when it begins to pay off.’ What do people think this means? Can they think of an example from this camp? Perhaps writing a really detailed list paid off when it was time to cook a tasty meal and all the ingredients were there, or working hard to set up a well laid camp made camping even more enjoyable.
Safety
- Fires and stoves
Make sure anyone using fires and stoves is doing so safely. Check that the equipment and area are suitable and have plenty of ventilation. Follow the gas safety guidance. Have a safe way to extinguish the fire in an emergency.
- Cooking
Teach young people how to use cooking equipment safely. Supervise them appropriately throughout. Make sure it’s safe to use and follow manufacturers’ guidelines for use.
- Heavy and awkward objects
Don’t lift or move heavy or awkward items without help. Break them down into smaller parts if possible.
- Outdoor activities
You must have permission to use the location. Always check the weather forecast and inform parents and carers of any change in venue.
- Poles and long objects
Be careful when moving poles or long items. Take care if the ends are sharp. Have appropriate supervision for this activity.
- Near water
Manage groups carefully when near water. The guidance on activities near water will help you to keep your group safe.