Over 200 young people came together online for a festive camp, to show that even the pandemic won't stop Saffron Walden District Scouts!
Members from Newport, Clavering, Chesterford, Radwinter, Thaxted-Carver, the 1st and 5th Saffron Walden scout groups, and the Saffron Walden Town Explorer Unit took part in WILD 2 – This Time It’s Festive! And just like the original WILD (Walden In LockDown) held in July, there was a lot of fun.
A virtual advent calendar which has posed the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers a challenge every day up to Christmas Eve set the scene.
During camp they had nearly 20 activity choices, from Christmas decoration or chocolate wreath making, to a magic workshop, reptile show, a coding challenge led by The CodeZone, to whittling fresh sticks into festive shapes or preparing and cooking a pheasant over an open fire.
The now infamous WILD game show saw the Grinch running through the towns and villages being naughty before being gunged.
Santa’s elves visited some young people who had been especially good and presented them with prizes. The game show went live to people’s living rooms via Zoom to surprise families and even some unsuspecting leaders with Task Master type challenges.
The new District Commissioner Nigel Bailey who was dressed in an elf costume helped out - and provided hoots of laughter by going to the wrong door several times!
Nigel, who has served for 10 years as a Cub Scout Leader, steps into the role recently vacated by Mark Benfold after seven years. Nigel thanked Mark, and thanked leaders, supporters, young people and parents and carers for their energy and enthusiasm and for keeping going throughout the pandemic.
The virtual camp also shared scenes from the leaders’ panto which could not go ahead because of Covid restrictions.
The event finished with a sleepover in festive themed dens -or tents outside for those brave enough- and breakfast together with videos from scouts from all over the world talking about how they celebrate Christmas, followed by Get Military Fit led by Corporal Gilbert and Sergeant Johnson from 13 Air Assault Regiment based at Carver Barracks.
Get into scouting by contacting recruitment@saffronwaldenscouts.org.uk or visit scouts.org.uk
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