Spot, meet, explore
You’ll need
- Pens or pencils
Before you begin
- Chat to your District or County Commissioner to find out about camps, then arrange to visit one.
- Ask the people running the camp to help you complete a risk assessment, and identify things to add to the ‘Spot, meet, explore’ sheet – we’ve started it off, but it’s best to add specific things based on what the people leading the camp suggest.
- Invite parents and carers (and older young people) to come along to help.
Visit the camp
- The person leading the activity should remind everyone that they’re visiting a working camp, so they need to use their eyes and ears to stay safe.
- The person leading the activity should introduce everyone to the camp leader. They may be an adult volunteer, or they could be a Scout or Explorer Scout working towards their Camper Activity Badge.
- Everyone should split into small groups. An adult should join each group. The person leading the activity should give each group a ‘Spot, meet, explore’ sheet.
- Each small group should start at a different place within the camp so the groups don’t all bunch up together.
- Each group’s adult should help the group read the questions on the ‘Spot, meet, explore’ sheet. The group should explore the whole camp, and fill out as much of the sheet as they can.
- Everyone should gather back together to share what they found. They could chat around a campfire or flagpole, or while enjoying a snack.
Reflection
This activity was an introduction to life at camp. Camping is all about learning to love the outdoors and trying new things. What did people discover on the visit? Did they find out where the campers sleep, wash, and eat? Was it what people expected? If it was different, how was it different? What activities did everyone see the campers enjoying? Perhaps there were trails, areas to explore, or natural areas to play in?
Can anyone think of activities that they usually do together that could be done outdoors at camp? People could think about cooking (especially on a campfire), following a trail, or pitching a tent. Camping is an adventure that all Scouts share, wherever they are in the world. One day (maybe even soon) everyone who visited the camp today will take part in this adventure too.
Safety
All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.
- 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.
Add in specific things to spot, people to meet, or places to explore based on the camp you’re visiting.
Make sure the camp you’re visiting is accessible for everyone.
All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.
Why not add a task to each thing on the sheet? You could include things like tying a reef knot, preparing a flag for the flagpole, or following a trail. This could help people work towards some of the requirements of the My Adventure and the My Outdoor Challenge Awards.