Leaders Lincs Fest a great success

Following on from Lincs Goes Live, our online event which allowed seminars and workshops last year, it was decided that we should all get together and have an opportunity to socialise as well as learn new skills this year, and Lincs Fest was born.  Huge thanks go to the Sudbrooke Campsite team for allowing County to take over the whole site for the weekend as well as the adjacent field to accommodate leaders staying over. Over 240 people signed up to attend the events and activities ranged from trying out new activities without young people to supervise such as crate stacking, climbing, abseiling, tomahawk throwing and archery, through to learning new skills fire lighting and backwoods cooking. There was also a chance to brush up on navigation skills, learn about geocaching, practice your axe and saw techniques with a watchful eye to keep you safe as well as partake of the many seminars which were held.

These included a chance for leaders of sections to get together and plan out some future events for each section, hear the ups and downs of setting up and running a new squirrel drey, find out about the Youth Shape award and how to set the wheels in motion to achieve this with your section and learning about Autism and also the changes which are coming within Scouting over the next year.

It wasn't all hard work though as the quiz proved. The competition was fierce and some of the costumes were questionable, but much fun was had by everyone, so Thanks to Amy and Ellie for organising that initial social. The campfire was a rousing affair with lots of participation and happy smiling faces aglow around the fire.  Our usual campfire hosts weren't available so I was drafted in at short notice. Thanks to everyone for supporting me.

Finally it was time for our live music provided by James Woodliffe outside Coulson's Cabin which was absolutely fabulous and made even better by being able to partake of a little liquid refreshment.  We should also say, the pizza van and party delights were a huge hit with many people having some fabulous food causing them to sell out.  Others chose to bbq or cook their own food on the fires provided which meant that everyone could accommodate their own requirements.

Sunday dawned with the smell of bacon and sausage and the WSJ leadership team provided a fabulous breakfast for everyone to boost their own fundraising efforts. With the opportunity to continue with more rope making, networking, learning and trying Sunday was another full on day and once all the marquees were down, it was agreed that it had been a fantastic weekend.

Same again next year?

Thank you to all who organised the event.