MEMBERS of Les Pugh’s Own Explorer Scout unit spent the last week on their annual summer camp, at the Rhydd Covert scout camp site in Kidderminster.

Arriving mid-afternoon on the Saturday they set-up camp. Sleeping arrangements for this year were hammocks, the team set-up in groups of three suspended from wooden frames.

To keep them entertained for the week a wide range of onsite activities were held throughout the week.

First up was archery on an outdoor range, some wayward shots were blamed on bent arrows though the group all saw what really happened.

To burn some energy towards the end of Sunday there was a frantic race around a pedal kart track with some impressive handbrake turns. Trying new activities is paramount to the unit and this year they tried their hands at sport orienteering in the Wyre Forest.

Starting with a simple 1.5km route to get used to the different style of map reading they needed to master before attempting the off path and through a bog route of 3.5km, well muddied and bramble scratched Nial successfully completed the course despite early reservations.

The traditional preservation train ride saw them ride the Severn Valley Railway behind a steam locomotive from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth. Here they swapped transport and launched on to the river Severn for a 15 mile canoe trip top Bewdley, although a relatively slow moving stretch of river Ben arrived somewhat wetter than the others after Sam demonstrated that if you sit on the side you capsize.

Back on site and some activity on the climbing wall saw everyone tackle several climbs. Later that day another new activity was tried this time it was all-terrain boards, which are like skate boards with large wheels the rider can speed down grass slopes, weaving between cones or not as the case might be, after several spills Dylan finally mastered the course.

All meals were prepared and cooked over open fires without the use of pots and pans, tin foil, tin cans and skewers were used. Probably the most ambitious was pizza making in dustbin ovens constructed on site.

Over each night and into early morning growling and roaring noises would be heard through the woodland a short distance away, they were told it was lions pacing around. This was confirmed later as they took a tour around the West Midlands Safari Park which was adjacent to the camp site.

The final day’s activities included air rifle shooting and an assault course, finished off by a swim in the local pool and a chip supper.