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Skis needed at Poacher .     Snow on Cartoon Capers Sub Camp??

On Wednesday the notice board warned of heavy snow falls – but

no one quite believed this – or did they?

The Sub Camp team worked hard to convince the campers that

snow could well fall – some leaders began to get involved and

discussed the ways that our British weather was changing.

On Thursday the possibility of skiing as an activity was discussed –

but not really believed. So David, the Sub Camp Activity Manager,

asked the Activity Team if they would print off some tickets for

skiing –which they did. Leaders were informed of the plans and

helped by encouraging their campers to have a go at skiing!

Campers still did not believe that this would take place, but at

5pm there was a queue of Scouts and Guides waiting for the

skiing activity tickets that had been printed. One local Scout

even rang his mum to bring his skiing gear! The required equipment

 of hat, gloves, fleece and boots caused some problems, but most

 managed to find people with things that they could borrow.

Some campers form other sub camps heard about this new

activity and wanted tickets, but unfortunately they had all been

‘snapped up’ within the first 10 minutes of swop shop opening.

To reinforce the idea of snow that night a road block was set

up on Cartoon Capers to protect the sub camp from pending

heavy snow. Some units took this warning seriously, having hot

 drinks before going to bed with hats, coats and gloves at the

ready. Campers were reassured by their Sub Camp team that

snow shovels were on their way over from RAF Scampton and

 that their snow plough was at the ready.

There was a lot of interest and enthusiasm in the proposed skiing

activity. Some people were not too sure that this was actually all

happening, and some campers found it hard to believe that there

 would be snow in August. The fact that there are no hills in near

the Lincolnshire Showground did not arise!

 When we awoke on Friday morning there was an eerie mist which

 helped with the story that the snow had just missed us! At 8.30am

members of the Sub Camp team were at the bus stop where the

transport team had listed the activity and bay number. Over 30

campers arrived – to be given a certificate congratulating them on

 being wound up by the Sub Camp team! Most took it in good spirits

and went off to do the other activities that they had ready in case

 the skiing could not take place!

Thanks to everyone who took part in this –

the biggest wind up of  Poacher 2004!

 Picture of the Road Block in place.