Scouts pull together for centenary camp-out (From Swindon Advertiser)

Scouts pull together for centenary camp-out

9:18pm Sunday 27th May 2007 in

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THEIR motto is to be prepared and hundreds of scouts at a special camp were definitely well equipped for one thing - lots of fun.

More than 300 boys, and some girls, pitched up their tents in a field at Roves Farm, Sevenhampton, on Saturday afternoon at a special camp for scouts in North Swindon and Wootton Bassett.

The event was to mark the Scout Association's 100th anniversary.

The youngsters all took part in a range of activities throughout the afternoon, before singing songs in front of the campfire and then tucking themselves up in their sleeping bags for a night under the stars.

District scouter Dave Prior said the camp had been a huge success.

"On this particular day scouts all over the UK will be camping out," he said.

"We as a district decided we wanted to do something here to get as many of our scouts along as possible.

"So we organised this camp for scouts in the North Swindon and Wootton Bassett area."

Each pack attending the camp had to come up with an activity to entertain others.

They ranged from the purely fun to the slightly educational.

Among the activities were water fights, tug-of-war, parachute making and kite making.

"I think they have all had a great time," said Mr Prior.

"That was signified by the fact that at lunchtime they were all incredibly quiet and didn't have enough energy to get up to any mischief.

"It's all gone very well."

And all of the scouts taking part in the event said they were having lots of fun.

Ben, of the 1st Wootton Bassett Cubs, said he had a great time.

"The best part was the water fight when we got absolutely soaked," said the 10-year-old.

"Our team won though.

"We've been making helicopters, playing tug-of-war and making parachutes.

"It's all been really fun."

Eight-year-old Matthew, of the 1st Highworth Cubs, said his favourite part of the day had been taking part in the tug-of-war.

"It was fun," he said. "We had to tug quite hard but we won.

"I like being a cub because you get to go on adventures."

And cub James, eight, said he had enjoyed the day a lot.

"The best bit was the tug-of-war," he said, "We had to work really hard but it was lots of fun."

As a special treat, the scouts were given a tour of the farm on the tractors after all the other visitors had gone home.

The climax of the scouts' birthday year celebrations will be on August 1 when youngsters from around the globe will gather for the World Scout Jamboree, which will be held in Chelmsford, Essex.

Then, more than 40,000 scouts from 200 countries will gather to mark the centenary.