Working Scouts Handicamp

What have they done to the rain? (and the mashed potato) I can't help but have this nagging doubt as the bus trundles its way down the country lane. If this is Woodlarks weekend, then why is the sun shining? Why am I wearing shorts and not a waterproof and wellies? Why don't I feel as if I should have had a frontal lobotomy for volunteering for this extravaganza. Why am I actually looking forward to this weekend?

As we pull onto the site worse is to follow...

There is actually a parking space for the bus. This will be the first year that I haven't checked my insurance details before selecting first gear. As I glance in my mirror to perform the manoeuvre I discover that the overhead chair ride is working. I always thought it was there just for decoration or as an inducement for the children to sit through the bell ringing.

As we make our way to the checking-in point, I cannot help but notice the huge amounts of laughter and oceans of smiley faces. What a difference the sun makes. We are all issued with baseball hats, adorned with badges bearing our names. The infantile pleasure that I always get from seeing my name on a badge is immediately offset by the fact that my hat is green again. That's two years running (mental note to the organisers).

As the children are gathered together and informed of the rules and regulations of the weekend, it is hard not to be impressed by the sheer efficiency of the whole thing. Every activity is staffed by half a dozen or so scouts, each of them trained and skilled to a very high standard. Every child is assigned a 'buddy', another member of the scouting movement whose job it is to ensure that the children are safe, settled and above all happy. The activities are overseen by adults and are particularly well organised and supervised. The children are able to climb and abseil a man-made tower, they can shoot air rifles and long-bows, they can canoe, cook and bungee-run. The whole thing is a child's paradise (perhaps thats why I volunteer?)

Saturday night for the children, is spent sleeping (hopefully) in a communal tent, shared with other children and their buddies. Saturday night, for the adults, is spent recovering from Saturday daytime (imagination prevails at this point), attempting to erect one's own tent and then sleeping in the minibus when the canvas creation has failed to materialise.

Sunday is spent in much the same way as Saturday. Activities, laughter, fun, happiness and fulfilment in abundance.

So that's Woodlarks. Moan about it beforehand. Go home feeling like a genuine member of the human race. Admiration and plaudits for the organisers and the scouts goes with-out saying. Every year is just as good as the previous one. Every child just as happy as the previous ones.

Now, I know that no one likes a but, BUT who changed the menu?

One of the highlights for me, has always been the opportunity to stuff my face full of sausages, beans and mountainous lashings of mashed potato, and that's just breakfast! Now I know we are a European community and all that but rice?... I ask you!... and pasta!... good grief! ! Next year it will be gondolas instead of canoes. Cooking will include chopping the limbs off frogs and air pellets will be supplied in grammes. Who knows, we may not be able to call it Woodlarks.

Anyone want to volunteer for Dense Forestation Larks 2000???. . I'll be there, wouldn't miss it for the world (or Europe!)

Roger Trigger
Welfare Assistant,
Freemantles School

WOODLARKS 2000