Charnwood 2011

In summer 2011, 12 Guides and four Guiders from Staffordshire went to Charnwood International camp in Leicester. The group was originally going to CamJam, but various circumstances resulted in a change of leader and a change in destination. This did not deter the girls, however!
As we were so close, we decided not to hire a coach, and instead the girls made their own way there. The leaders went over the night before, raided Loughborough Tesco on the Saturday morning, then returned to camp to eagerly await the arrival of the Guides! The Guides started arriving at about 11-30am, and we set about setting up camp. We were close to the main stage, where the PA system was being tested, and the music blaring out added to the excitement! The day was spent setting up and finding our way round the camp, before heading to the opening ceremony in the evening. Seeing all 2000 people at the camp in one place suddenly made it real that after months of preparation, we were finally at Charnwood. The opening ceremony got under way (with only one hitch – suddenly everything went dark and quiet after a fuse blew!), and Charnwood 2011 officially began!
Over the week, the Guides took part in organised activities each day, with other activities in the evenings, such as film screenings, discos, camp fires, beauty sessions, but the one they were the most excited about was badge swapping!
The first full day was the Charnwood challenge, a chance for everyone to get to know the site. Everyone was put into groups, and had to complete 50 challenges all across the site. These ranged from completing quizzes, to finding out the price of souvenirs, to turning their group into a table!
 


On Monday, the rolling programme began, with each subcamp doing something different on each day. Our first day was the subcamp challenge, where the participants were divided into groups and completed challenges along the lines of the Crystal Maze. Unfortunately none of our group made it to the final, but they all got to have a go on the inflatables that were provided.
Tuesday was It’s a Knockout in the morning and the Discovery Zone in the afternoon. Our group was more successful with this, and won quite a few of the challenges! In the Discovery Zone they took part in various activities including fun with science, global activities, getting henna done, and drumming
Wednesday was the Adrenaline Zone, where the Guides got to try various activities like the zip wire, an inflatable assault course (two weeks later I still have the bruises from this!), climbing and bouldering, and one of the most popular activities was zorbing, which had queues of up to three hours at one point! Aimee and Jess were also lucky enough to be waiting at the size of the zip line when a local news presenter was filming a broadcast at the top of the tower, and after shouting up a few words of encouragement, they were included in the broadcast! Unfortunately, when it was shown their part was cut, but they could still be seen at the side of the shot. Wednesday was also the day the whole camp was plagued with wasps after a wasps’ nest was disturbed, and first aid had over 100 reported wasp stings – two of them from our group
Thursday was the Skills Zone, with activities such as archery, backwoods cooking and crafts. It was also the one day we had rain, so it was lucky that it was the day when a lot of the activities were under cover. Most of the girls had a go at glass engraving and pyrography, and also several of the other activities. It was also my birthday on the Thursday, so I came back from the subcamp meeting in the evening to be greeted with party poppers and the girls singing happy birthday! Pudding that night was, of course, chocolate birthday cake!
Friday was the offsite activities day. The Guides all went off to different activities, such as diving, caving, geocaching, rafting, high ropes and dinghy sailing. It was a very long day for some, as the first group left at 7-30am, but the girls were all very enthusiastic about their day on their return – Jenny announced that it was ‘the best day ever’. We then all got ready to go to the closing ceremony, and it seemed like it was only two minutes since the opening. We watched a slideshow of photos from over the week, and then finished off with fireworks, followed by a disco. They had also had hired in two fairground rides, and everyone had a free ticket to go on one of these.
On the Saturday, we spent the whole morning packing up, and at lunchtime, the parents started arriving. The last girl was picked up at 2pm, and suddenly, after months of preparation, it was all over.
Although I have been to several large camps before, it has always been as staff, so going to Charnwood as a leader was definitely a new experience for me. It was hard work, but we all enjoyed it.

“Charnwood was a camp that i will remember for the rest of my life! The atmosphere was electric and I have met lots of amazing people that will be my friends for life. The opportunities that i have had and the skills that i have learnt will stay with my forever” – Charlotte, Stoke North

“Charnwood 2011 was the best experience of my life so far. We made loads of new friends and got the chance to do hundreds of things you wouldn't normally do. I loved every minute of it and i wish i could do it all again!” – Tean, Threapwood

“Charnwood 2011 was just incredible!! Everyone was so nice and I met some awesome people. And got to do stuff, I wouldn’t normally be able to do. I learnt new skills and made lots of new friends” – Jackie, Tamworth

“Charnwood 2011 was an amazing experience – for me and, I believe, for everyone else who got involved. The atmosphere surrounding the camp was phenomenal and the people I met along the way made it especially memorable. Over the week of the camp I faced my fears, exceeded my own expectations of myself, ventured into the unknown and made friends that I will keep for life. Everything about Charnwood 2011 was special, so, I can safely say, memories of Charnwood 2011 will stay with me forever, and the experiences and friends I had there will make me a stronger and better person for the rest of my life.” – Emma, Tamworth

"I had a fantastic time at Charnwood. The best bits of the week for me were the adrenaline zone and the closing ceremony, the fireworks were fantastic. I have made some amazing friendships, including people from Ireland and Wales. It felt like I had been a part of Charnwood 2011 for a month" – Aimee, Lichfield

“Charnwood 2011 was amazing! There were loads of fun challenges, crafts and games to take part in everyday and the night activities were really good to. I made loads of lovely new friends that I intend to keep forever. I especially enjoyed the skills zone as there was loads to do. The weather was sunny (most of the week!) I loved Charnwood and I wish I was back there now!” – Beth, Lapley

Jenn Hill, Guider in Charge






 

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Girlguiding Staffordshire, County HQ, St Peter's School site, Church Lane, Hixon, Stafford, ST18 0PS
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