The biggest Scout camp the Saffron Walden Scout District has ever seen gathered for WILD (Walden In LockDown).
Some 232 young people, supported by parents and leaders came together online for virtual scouting, representing Scout groups and Explorer units from Newport, Thaxted-Carver, Clavering, Chesterford, Radwinter and Saffron Walden.
WILD was an opportunity for the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers to get back to some outdoor and traditional scout skills from home.
They took part in over 20 different activities.
These included whittling, raft building, fire lighting and catapult construction.
And they added new skills such as computer programming provided free by The Codezone, drumming, karate, magic, matchstick rockets, remote controlled robots from 200 miles away, musical theatre, armpit fudge and pizza making cooked in a cardboard box oven!
Helen of Newport scout group and Rory of Thaxted-Carver kicked off the weekend with an opening ceremony and gameshow.
The show involved going live to the houses of scouts to participate in games in order to win tickets on a minibus for a surprise trip. It was also an opportunity to make fun of the leaders, two of whom ended up with their heads in buckets of beans and custard!
Each morning started with Get up and Go!, a 30-minute exercise session hosted by BearWalden and ended with a bedtime story for the younger sections or a TikTok challenge for the older ones.
There was a traditional singalong with an international campfire, a hike, final disco and closing ceremony.
The camp included more than 50 online sessions held via video platform Zoom. Everyone camped out in gardens or dens of their own making despite the wind.
Saffron Walden district commissioner Mark Benfold said: “I’m immensely proud of the virtual camp organised by our leaders. With over 200 young people and their families taking part, the leaders have delivered a truly memorable event in the true spirit of Scouting.”
To get involved as an adult volunteer or as a young person see scouts.org.uk and email recruitment@saffronwaldenscouts.org.uk
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