Going on my first scogui camp I really didn’t know what to expect I suppose I really expected it to be like all the other camps I have been on as leader. I have to say I was completely wrong.
Anyway on the Friday I only just made it to the swimming pool for 6:00 in time as I decided it would be a good idea to start packing at 5:15 but I made it. I was driven to the oaks campsite about 10 minutes from Loughborough by rich and I have to admit I was feeling very apprehensive about the whole experience. When I got there I found that I was sleeping in the nice big new 12 man with mostly other fresher’s. Once we were all unpacked Wilsher decided to come and introduce himself in the form of fresher’s poses, embarrassing stories and a game of I’ve never. (So the drinking began). After this we went over to the alpine hut to have ourselves some very nice pizza after which we played a few more games and generally got to know each other. I ended up going to bed around 4am quite merry (after a brief period of gazing at the stars in my sleeping bag).
On the Saturday morning I walked into the alpine hut to the nice smell of a cooked breakfast thanks to some of the committee and associate members. After which we had the chance to do archery, mountain boarding, black hole and table tennis. I myself just did archery and table tennis. I was going to do the other activities as well but a football match against the explorers on site was arranged in which scogui fc did very well and despite being outnumbered about 3 to 1 only lost a very respectable 3-2. Soon after this it was time for a very nice dinner of spaghetti bolognaise again cooked by a mixture of the committee, returners and associate members. The final event for the evening was the highly anticipated scogui campfire which was absolutely fantastic! And after hearing some of the best campfire songs I have ever heard, (seeing a rather funny dance from Megan) and making a couple of new friends I went to bed very happy and quite jolly around 5ish. (Last one to bed again! Serious lack of sleep)
On the final morning I was awoken by a ringing in my ears, oh wait that is just Wilsher standing over me with two metallic objects smashing them together rather quickly. Thanks for the wakeup mate! After breakfast we did shooting and climbing before having lunch and starting to take down camp. I would like to say I helped here but the one of the best thing about fresher’s camp as a fresher is you actually get shouted at for trying to help which is very hard to get used too after being a leader by the way. I got home around 3 o’clock after being driven home by Megan and found myself missing all my new found friends.
There was no need to worry though as we all went for a nice dinner at the amber rooms that evening, although I did scold my hands which kind of put a dampener on things.
All in all I can honestly say that in all my many years in scouting this was the best camp I have ever been on and would like to thank everyone that helped run it, committee, associate member, returner or otherwise I had an amazing time and would do it all again in an instant.
Written by a true fresher
David Hendy
