Thurrock Scouts come together for Jamborama 2014

9th June 2014
This year’s Jamborama saw 155 Scouts from 19 of the 22 Scout Troops come together for the first District Camp across all of the sections since the merger.

The focus this year was on getting the Scouts to mix and take part in activities away from the comfort of their troops and to make new friends that they may not necessarily have made otherwise.

The organising team decided to split all of the scout troops into different teams, sending half off site on the Saturday for a 7 mile hike (and minibus ride) that featured stop-offs at Chadwell Scout HQ for Shooting, which was won by Megan Marshall from Orsett & Bulphan Petre Troop, East Tilbury Scout HQ for Wall Climbing and Coalhouse Fort for Pedal Cars and Orienteering before returning back to Condovers. While all this was happening, the remaining Scouts took part in 8 bases around the campsite which were: Climbing & Abseiling, Backwoods Cooking, Bushcraft, Ropeless Pioneering, Rocket Bottles, Blind Trail, Woggle Making & Craft and the Bungee Run & Kave Maze.

On Sunday we did exactly the same again. With those Scouts that were on site going off and those off site taking part in the bases around the campsite.

On Saturday evening there was a Disco run by Chucky from 1st Ockendons and then on Sunday Evening all of the Scouts participated in the Campfire run by our DC, Graham Monk. Towards the end of the campfire we had a slide show playing, which showed what the scouts had achieved over the past two days. We finished the campfire with Lord Baden Powell’s 80th Birthday Message to Scouting. This was listened to in complete silence from the Scouts and is as relevant today as it was back then in 1937.

Monday saw the only competition of the weekend which was the Tug of War. It was fiercely contested and saw those not pulling really getting behind their troops (and other troops for that matter) cheering them on. It also brought the competitive side out of some of the Scouts and Leaders which is always good to see.

Just before the final (to give the finalists a rest) saw 21 Young Leaders take on 21 Adult Leaders in the biggest tug of war contest Condovers has seen. Obviously, the older leaders with their years of experience came out on top winning 2-1.

The competition was eventually won by Stifford Sea Scouts with 7th Grays coming Runners Up, 1st Horndon coming 3rd with 1st Ockendons just outside the medal places in 4th.

The closing ceremony saw a few presentations – I had the privilege of presenting Mick Moore with his Wood Badge, Gill Root & Andy Kemp both received the Silver Acorn from the DC Graham Monk and Brian Abbott received the Bar To The Silver Acorn from Terry Wheatley. All very much deserved.

It was also good to see the cannon back in service for Flag Break and Flag Down after so many years. Some of the leaders hadn’t even seen or heard the cannon before, let alone any of the scouts. I can’t remember the last time I heard it before this weekend. But one thing is for sure, it doesn’t matter how many times you see it or hear it, it still brings back a lot of memories and makes it that little bit more special, for me anyway.

None of this camp would have been possible without the hard work of the District Team, Tim Gregory of 7th Grays & Michael Peacefull of 1st Corringham Intrepid who planned, organised and worked tirelessly to make the weekend a success. AVOCK and SCH Active Support Units, The Leaders & Young Leaders who run bases and walked with the Scouts over the weekend. Dave ‘Tug’ Wilson for driving the minibus for 2 full days, Playscheme & Thriftwood for use of their equipment, Coalhouse Fort for use of the green and not forgetting (this time) Condovers’ Wardens and Staff for their help over the weekend, Chadwell & East Tilbury Scout Groups for use of their HQs and to Phoenix Network for taking care of the car parking on arrival.

Article by David Tapsell – Assistant District Commissioner (Scouts)