Well it was on, it was off, it was on……
After much deliberation and discussion we decided to plan for Camp 2021 not knowing if it would actually happen!
Following a lot of detailed Covid planning by Graeme Forrest, with the rest of us (well 2 grumpy older officers really!) moaning about ALL the Covid regulations that must be followed Camp 2021 was on!
Hold on a minute, 7 days before we were due to go, Brigade Headquarters told us no Officers qualifications were up to date - we couldn’t go!
After Eileen revived John with smelling salts, he made a quick call to headquarters and in no uncertain terms made them aware that prior to lockdown the 26th officers had been holding a canvas camp since ”Adam” was a boy!
Suffice to say records were quickly updated and camp was back on!
All staff tested pre boys arriving and again in the middle of the week
..unlike previous camps only the cooks (for want of a better term!) allowed in Cookshelter
Socially distancing and following the guidelines, the boys are made aware of the do’s and dont’s for a Covid camp
..back door to Cook Shelter a no go area too
……a typical morning wash, however only 2 boys at a table at any one time. for Covid safety
Tent inspection, luxury accommodation with only 3 boys per tent due to Covid guidelines (although Beth might have other ideas)
…making it look easy lads
…..someone’s missing in action
..that’s better 3 in a row
..how come the smallest boy has the most kit?
….oh, oh looks like Beth has changed friends!
Tent inspection over ....time for a bit of non stop cricket
……followed by a quick game of rounders
They’ll be starving after all that….and seriously cheesed off when they find out there’s no lunch ‘cause we fell asleep!
….if Tom and Bill don’t get a move on lunch is going to be late!
…. lunch is never going to happen, I think that’s Mr Duff & Mr Imrie way over there swimming!
….right boys we’ll have to feed ourselves, start looking for whelks!
….do you think Dominos will deliver out here?
..och, we were just kidding, c’mon have some socially distanced starters!
Foxlake Day One
Away day at North Berwick
Burgers at the ready for their return from a hectic day at North Berwick……
…of course the dishes have to be done, even for Beth too!
…what a busy day….too much for one little lady
..can’t beat sitting round the campfire
...four of the best!
Foxlake Day Two
….c’mon John …. get a helmet on …….seen the day when you would be up those trees like a whippet!
…….look closely, they’re in the trees!
….they fly through the air…..
It seemed that no sooner had camp started than we found ourselves standing for last sunset and lowering of the flag for our last night and…………………the Camp Concert!
Time for some magic… will it work?…….
..of course it did…. mind you, no one seems more surprised than David!
a Camp Quiz……testing time for all
…….all to play for
…and the Umpire’s decision is final
…and to finish the evening - our four seniors who received their discharge certificates on the night.
Long and faithful service from them all.
Well done boys, you are a credit to your families, yourselves and of course the 26th!
Well, there you have it a visual whistle stop tour of Camp 2021. In many ways a very different camp for obvious reasons. But despite that it was a great camp. We had two trips to Foxlake for water-based and high-wire activities, an away day to North Berwick including a hike up the Law and our annual putting competition plus Dunbar swimming trips and sand building competitions on the beach! So much for the youth of today only being interested in Playstations and Xboxes etc -the attitude of our boys was excellent in every way - no moans and groans - they enjoyed everything that was on offer. Thanks boys you made our job so much easier!
In closing we would like to thank Alex Dale owner of Hederwick Hill Farm for the use of a field and water supply, John Sinclair of Sinclair Haulage, Alloa for transporting all our equipment to and from camp, the 25th Stirling Dunblane Boys’ Brigade for the use of their mini bus and finally Beth whose constant reminders to Daddy that the date for Camp was approaching and why wasn’t he getting her bag packed, ……why wasn’t he getting his bag packed, ……….why wasn’t he going to the Church Hall to get all the gear out, …………..why wasn’t he……. actually Beth a big thanks to you - we think you really made Camp 2021 happen!
As for the staff we could thank ourselves - but to be honest we enjoy it as much if not more than the boys - so really all that’s left to say is ….. roll on Camp 2022….yeeha!