Scouting event the largest in Europe this year

The camp was an opportunity for normality after a difficult 18 months, according to deputy Bailiwick commissioner

for programme and young people Jane King.

‘It was a brilliant weekend,’ said 12-year-old Cub Ellen Bonner.

‘We could hear chickens at 1am every night. My favourite part was probably the camp fire and the paddle boarding.’

The camp fire, air rifle shooting and water activities by Outdoor Guernsey were popular with the Scouts. However, some were more excited about the food.

‘The meals were my favourite,’ said Spike Jinks, 12.

Scout Zachary Maiden, 10, Noah Bartlett, 10, and Cameron McHugh, 9, said their favourite part of the camp had been air rifle shooting.

‘I wasn’t any good at it at all,’ Zachary said.

Noah and Cameron agreed it was a difficult activity, that required a lot more practice.

‘We got to go coasteering and abseiling,’ Cameron said. ‘It was so fun.’

Scout Oliver Blake, 13, started meal-time sing-a-longs throughout the weekend.

Before lunch was served on Monday, the children could be heard halfway across

the Les Maingys field singing songs and chants.

‘I think the camp has been brilliant,’ Oliver said.

‘We didn’t have to cook or put up our own tents which was great. Me and my mates built a bridge across the stream in our free time, but it got taken down.’

Ms King said the camp had given children some wonderful fun and memories, and she thanked Outdoor Guernsey, Festung Guernsey, the Petit Train, the Accidental Zoo and Castle Cornet for their partnership.

‘These are the places that helped us make all our activities happen,’ she said. ‘We’re very grateful for all their help.’

The newly re-formed Alderney Scouts troop brought a total of 10 scouts to the camp.

‘We were really privileged to be invited to this camp,’ said 1st Alderney Cub leader James Butel. ‘We have limited resources in Alderney, and our kids have loved every minute of this weekend.’

Animals, trains and camp fires were some of the highlights for six- and seven-year-old cub scouts.

After a trip to the Accidental Zoo, Edward Sloan, 7, Zach Walker, 7, Kaiisha Le Sauvage, 7, and Oliver Gillespie, 6, had a lot to say about the animals.

Kaiisha liked the fluffy sheep, and Zach liked the baby ducks the best.

Oliver said his favourite part of the weekend had been a quiz about Guernsey facts during a ride on the Petit Train around St Peter Port.