On the Bank Holiday weekend of the 2nd to the 5th of May, the East Lancashire Scouts team held County Camp 2025 at Bowley International Scout Campsite for Scout Groups across the Northwest. The 38th Rossendale took 37 Scouts and 9 leaders from across our 3 Scout Troops on what would prove to a non-stop experience over 4 days, that they would not forget.
Starting late afternoon on the Friday we assembled at the show ground in Great Harwood to await transfer up the road to the campsite. Things went a little awry when the transport let us down, however the County Team and our Leaders quickly came up with an alternative and we arrived at our campsite, with all our kit, not long after our original time of arrival.
To make life easier our Leaders had been over to the site on the previous Tuesday and set up the tentage, so settling in didn’t take long. Off we trooped to the main stage for the opening ceremony, a bit of razmataz, music and a hearty welcome to everyone from the County Team.
A supper of hot dogs and cake finished off the night then we encouraged them to go off to bed as it would be an early start next morning.
Saturday morning rolled around far to quickly. We were up at 6:30 am and after a very quick breakfast and making packed lunches, we set off for the walk to the coach pick up point 30 minutes away across the fields.
By 8am we were on the coach and on our way to Keswick and the highlight of the weekend, Honister slate mine.
After a long and winding journey, we reached our destination ready for the main event, either climb the mine or the via ferrata scramble.
Once kitted up in harnesses the Scouts were whisked away from us on the site bus to their mini adventures. We, the Leaders, then waited on their return in the café, taking in the stunning beauty of the Honister Valley.
Arriving back at the café in small groups the Scouts regaled us with tales of their time on the activities while they gave back their kit and ate lunch. It was back on the coach and back to the drop off point and another hike back to camp and for some, straight into Crate Stacking.
Others had a short break, enough to get their evening meal eaten before they set of to complete the Leap of Faith, take part in Archery or Air Rifle Shooting. By the time everyone was back from activities we were off to the mainstage for a ‘campfire’ singalong, with one of our Leaders getting up and leading a song.
That concluded, it was now late, and we all wandered back down to our site a bit sleepy, a quick supper of hot chocolate and cake then off to their sleeping bags with the Scouts, ready for another full day of activities.
A bit of a lie in (a full 30minutes!) and Sunday was upon us. For most, the first part of the day saw them whipping down the new Zip Line with a few taking on Tomahawk Throwing instead. Lunch was a big picnic with everyone at the event by the mainstage with entertainment from the site team. After lunch, for some, it was off to practice some knife skills and for others it was more food at the backwoods cooking area with crispy fried nettles, Bannock bread and S’mores on the menu.
The remainder of the afternoon saw the Scouts choosing from a variety of fun activities including Gladiator style inflatable challenges, a climbing wall, escape room, arts and crafts.
After the evening meal then it was off for the final activity of the weekend, Laser tag. With that concluded we headed back to the mainstage for the closing ceremony with an impromptu dance session thanks to a Leader from the 42nd. With the ceremony over for some it was time to go and pack for the morning but not us, we invited our neighbours from the 42nd to a dance party to burn off what energy the Scouts had left in their tank.
Monday morning came too quick and getting some of the Scouts to part with their sleeping bags and get up proved a challenge. Eventually we managed to get everyone up, packed, tents down and kitchen packed away. We felt good and made our way up to the main carpark ready for the trip to the show ground in good time, however Murphys law struck again and an incident on Dean Lane caused a delay to our departure though once cleared we were on our way.
I want to say a big thanks to the County Team for putting on the event, the Scouts for their good behaviour and to our volunteer Leaders who after months of planning and organising, put up our site, stepped up to help out with the transport when things went awry, supported the Scouts throughout the weekend and stayed back to move kit back to the Warren once the Scouts had gone home.
Pete and the 38th Leadership team.
More photos from the weekend can be found on our Facebook page here.
