Survival Skills Camp

My most recent Scout camp was one themed around the Survival Skills Activity Badge. I've looked at this badge before and the amount involved made it seem very overwhelming (we actually didn't even cover all the requirements at camp and had to have an additional meeting night!). It's one which tested me as a Leader and I'm so glad I ran it.

We were camping for the weekend at Fordell Firs, Scottish Scouts HQ, to get a change of scenery and to make use of their woodland areas. After multiple people dropping out and lots of shifting around I had myself and one other Leader plus two Patrols of 7 Scouts apiece. A small number for our Troop but an enjoyable size.

Our Friday started with setting up camp and going over our Code of Conduct. The Scouts explored the new area while I sorted the group kit. Patrols then made hot dogs for supper using the stoves and we had an early night to prepare for a busy weekend.

After cooking sausages over the fire. Saturday saw us kick of the survival experience with bases on simple skills to keep you safe and alive and the type of kit you would need. Scouts made natural water filters from stones and leaves and made a toothbrush from a twig. We went over knife safety and sharpening before everyone carved a set of chopsticks for eating.

Scouts were expected to cook on fires the rest of the weekend so our older Scouts ran activities to help our younger ones with their fire lighting skills. This included using a ferro rod to start a fire rather than matches or lighters. Patrols had to keep a steady supply of firewood stocked so we ran a tree hunt to find the best wood for burning and a refresher on correctly laying a fire for cooking. Lunch consisted of skewered duck and fish in newspaper steamed in the embers - both were devoured to my surprise!

We did cheat a little and used a frying pan to make some camp doughnuts, but we needed the sugar rush!

The afternoon into evening took a bit of a turn as I had to make an emergency trip to hospital after getting burning ash in my eye from the fire, which scratched my inner eyelid and cornea. However I powered through and had amazing support from the other Leader and my older Scouts. Everyone built shelters in the woods using tarps and rope and got their survival bags and kit ready for bed that night.

Due to everything which happened we had a bit of a late tea and we were all ready for it! We made BBQ chicken parcels with potatoes, peppers and onions, all wrapped up in tinfoil and cooked over the fire. As we ate we let the fires die down to then heat our cone s'mores (cones stuffed with chocolate and marshmallows) in the embers.

By this point we were all absolutely exhausted so there was nothing more to be done than go sleep in our shelters. This was actually a pretty cozy night. Although the lack of rain did help!

In the morning the survival exercise was over so it was potatoe scones on the fryng pan (though still over fires) for breakfast before taking down our shelters. That morning we had axe throwing on site which the Patrols did one at a time while the others packed their kit and striked tents.

When we were altogether we went back to the woods to build some natural shelters. This had been the plan the previous evening, but we had to adapt. The Scouts learned the three layers of a shelter to help keep you warm and dry and built what they could within 45 minutes. They all look forward to sleeping in natural shelters at some point.

At camp close we recognised those Scouts who stood out on camp and everyone recieved a special badge. Then I gave them all back to their parents, dropped the kit back at the hal, and went home to sleep for 12 hours!

Despite the eye injury, I had an absolute blast on this camp. I learned that despite all the stress the prep work costs me, it really does pay off in these situations. I was so proud of my older Scouts and the maturity and responsibility they showed. The feedback from Scouts and parents has been amazing. I think in future we will spread the requirements of this badge out a little more, but I am so glad I pushed myself to plan and run this camp.