Well, it seems the leafleting didn't make any impact at all - not a single call!
But that didn't stop a particularly hectic meeting!
After introducing the new look hall (see pic below) we broke for the first game of the term whilst the patrol leaders were given a heads up on what they needed to run. First activity was hot dogs on a trangia. Even though I got complaints that they knew how to use one I wasn't particularly suprised to find that they didn't actually know how to put them together. One of our newest kids who's not even seen one before put it away (obvious patrol leader material) whilst the patrol leader ambled over and asked us how it went together.
2nd activity for those who'd finished their trangias was the simple task of waterproofing matches. This comes as a result of several camps including our patrol leaders training camp. The PLAPL camp was a prime example where everyone was given a box on a fairly woodland site - next morning when I got up I found a box under the dining shelter. Damp. A box on the path to the toilet. Damp. A box by the fire. Damp. Three boxes out of five ruined, but it was a good example. With emergency waterproof matches they ought to now have a good idea on what they need to do!
(If you don't know how to waterproof matches, just dip the heads in molten wax and leave to dry - even run under water they will still light, though it's recommended you use non-safety matches as damp strikers don't work, but non-safety work anywhere)
After the next game we then did bag packing. Armed with all my gear from the past fifteen years including some totally inappropriate gear for hiking, we asked each patrol to put together a list of what they would take.
It was absolutely amazing to see what went through their minds and we ended up with duplicate knives (like taking a 8.5" sheath knife, penknife and a leatherman for good measure - perhaps a good idea for a trek across the amazon, but not a one night hike in the UK) and no tent/sleeping bag.
I'd understand if we'd had a bivvy bag or tarp, but I feel they still need some education.
After each, we weighed a member of the patrol with and without the backpack to get an idea in KG what would be the best. The heaviest patrol bizarrely hadn't packed the tent or sleeping bag, but had felt it necessary to take a trangia, pocket rocket with gas, full camp cook set and a solid fuel hexane stove.
Nevermind.
We had to do a flagbreak at this time because we'd somewhat overestimated how long the activities would take - we missed out on 'food hygiene' which isn't really something I want to rush with them having seen how the last patrol camp went!
Below: Pic of newly refurbished scout hall
