CHARNWOOD 2011 INTERNATIONAL CAMP
During the first week of August 57 Guides, Senior Section and leaders from across Renfrewshire County attend Charnwood International Jamboree in Leicestershire England. 21 girls and 3 leaders (Amy Newlands, Gillian Dick and Alison Coyle) were from Greenock Division. The girls met on Saturday morning at 1 am and set off for Charnwood. Once they arrived the were split onto 2 sub camps, Desert (yellow) for girls aged 10 - 14 and Jungle (pink) for 14 - 18 year olds. Everyone pitched in to build the campsite including tents, cook tent and mess tent. The temperature was at least 22 degrees for the whole week so this made activities quite hot!
The camp began with the opening ceremony which all 4,000 campers and staff attended. There was a full stage with lights, smoke machines, dancers and singers to entertain the crowd. The camp was officially opened with fireworks and the party atmosphere continued with a disco until late. Over the rest of the week the girls took part in a variety of activities such as It's a Knockout, Discovery zone, Adrenalin Zone, Skills Zone, off site activities, sub camp activities and visitors afternoon. These included zorbing, archery, climbing, sailing, canoeing, hill walking, mountain biking, bungee runs and much much more! During the evening the girls participated in whole camp and sub camp activities including a street fayre with Charnwood money, discos, live bands, bingo, talent shows, karaoke and speed dating!
As part of an International visitor group all 57 members of the group were invited to participate in the official International entertainment at the International tent. This was a great privilege for the girls and they represented Greenock, Renfrewshire and Scotland outstandingly well by singing a medley of Scottish songs and finishing with Auld Lang Syne. They then sang this again with the entire International marquee joining in - what a feat!
Seonaidh Munro (Senior Section from 5th Gourock Guides) said “I thought Charnwood was an amazing experience, to see how guides and scouts from around the world work and get along together so well. The best bit about Charnwood was the ‘Its a Knockout Challenge’. It was really funny to see everyone getting so competitive when we were soaked by the soapy bubbles after jumping in trying to reach for plastic coloured balls! Our treks from Jungle to Desert sub camps were a great laugh as it was from one side of the camp to the other, a very long walk! The weather stayed great for us the whole week which was great, we all came back with a lovely tan, but at camp we couldn’t tell the difference from dirt or sunburn!! I loved my Charnwood experience and would give anything to go back and do it all over again.”
Sophie Spencer (Guide from 2nd Gourock Guides) said "I've been on lots of Guide camps but was a wee bit nervous about what a camp as huge as Charnwood would be like. I was the only Guide from Gourock in Desert sub camp but had met some of the other Haggis Hunters at an overnight in South Newton. What a fantastic week we had - the sun was shining for us for most of the week and there were plenty of great activities to keep us busy (so busy that my Mum didn't speak to me all week!). I managed to swap badges and neckies and came home with lots of souvenirs - my favourite is a lovely pink neckie from Ghana. I made lots of new friends from lots of different places and would love to go to International camp again!"
The girls and leaders had an absolutely wonderful week where they met and made friends with Guides and Scouts from across England, America, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Australia, Germany, Austria and many other places. Along with making and cementing firm friendships from within our Division and County.
A reunion has already been planned for the beginning of October and all of the girls are eager to attend this year’s INTOPS (International Opportunity Selection) in the hope of having another International experience. Huge thanks to Amy, Gillian and Alison for leading the girls along with 6 other leaders from the County.
