Thurlby a la France
Author: Richard Harvey
Published: September 16, 2014
At 6.30am on what was a very wet Monday (25th August) - 41 young people and 7 leaders made their way from Thurlby to Ardres, France.
We arrived at our Acorn Adventure camp at around 1.45pm local time and we were met on the bus by a very loud member of their entertainment team…..
We were that tired from travelling that I think nearly everyone on the bus panicked!! We had had a long journey but thankfully one that was very uneventful!
With no time to rest, the Cubs, Scouts and Explorers were divided into their groups for the activity, which was a wet obstacle course, helped on of course by the weather. The kids loved it but it meant for us a very long, damp day and night trying to get their clothes and trainers dried!
The rest of the evening went without a hitch and everyone was soon ready for bed.
Tuesday came and so did more rain but this did not stop the enthusiasm from everyone. The Groups headed off to their various morning activities, consisting of wall climbing, nightline, fencing and archery. In the afternoon, we ventured off to the Viking Museum, which was very amusing seeing some of the kids dressing up and trying to fight each other (Viking style of course)
Back to camp and on then after tea for a town trail. Still more rain and more damp feet and clothes, but the fun continued.
With no time to rest, the Cubs, Scouts and Explorers were divided into their groups for the activity, which was a wet obstacle course, helped on of course by the weather. The kids loved it but it meant for us a very long, damp day and night trying to get their clothes and trainers dried!
The rest of the evening went without a hitch and everyone was soon ready for bed.
Tuesday came and so did more rain but this did not stop the enthusiasm from everyone. The Groups headed off to their various morning activities, consisting of wall climbing, nightline, fencing and archery. In the afternoon, we ventured off to the Viking Museum, which was very amusing seeing some of the kids dressing up and trying to fight each other (Viking style of course)
Back to camp and on then after tea for a town trail. Still more rain and more damp feet and clothes, but the fun continued.
Wednesday was brighter, so out went the clothes line! After breakfast, off the groups went for another morning of adventurous activities, this time
canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding and raft building. Followed by a wonderful trip to the chocolate factory – I think everyone wanted to dive into the buckets of chocolate.
Wednesday night was campfire night. There were many stories told and songs sang not just by our members but the entertainment team made quite a few up of their own!
canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding and raft building. Followed by a wonderful trip to the chocolate factory – I think everyone wanted to dive into the buckets of chocolate.
Wednesday night was campfire night. There were many stories told and songs sang not just by our members but the entertainment team made quite a few up of their own!
On to Thursday and our last day. Still quite dry so more clothes lines for us! The kids went on to their activities and even paddled (all of them) across the lake to get an ice cream.
We finished the evening off on Thursday with a huge game of hide and seek, although I had been forgotten as I was hiding up a tree!! (Thanks James Helliwell) Bags packed and lots of excited children went happily off to their beds.
I don’t know what happened to Friday – we got up way too early, had breakfast and before we knew it we were at passport control on the Eurotunnel. Lunch stop at Stansted Services and made it back home by 3pm. It was great fun for all concerned and would recommend taking your pack/troop on an adventure like we did!
Nicola and I cannot thank all the Cubs, Scouts and Explorers who attended for being so well behaved and represented our Group and Scouting in general exceptionally well. We would also like to thank the Parents for entrusting their children in our care, whilst traveling abroad and finally to the leaders who came with us. Together we made a fab team.
We finished the evening off on Thursday with a huge game of hide and seek, although I had been forgotten as I was hiding up a tree!! (Thanks James Helliwell) Bags packed and lots of excited children went happily off to their beds.
I don’t know what happened to Friday – we got up way too early, had breakfast and before we knew it we were at passport control on the Eurotunnel. Lunch stop at Stansted Services and made it back home by 3pm. It was great fun for all concerned and would recommend taking your pack/troop on an adventure like we did!
Nicola and I cannot thank all the Cubs, Scouts and Explorers who attended for being so well behaved and represented our Group and Scouting in general exceptionally well. We would also like to thank the Parents for entrusting their children in our care, whilst traveling abroad and finally to the leaders who came with us. Together we made a fab team.
The County AGM to be held at Sudbrooke Park Campsite at 16:30
LINCSFEST 2026 BOOKINGS ARE NOW OPEN! The countdown to Lincolnshire Scouts' ultimate weekend for volunteers has officially begun! LINCSFEST is a weekend created by volunteers, for volunteers, bringing together people from across the county for a chance to learn new skills, be inspired, try something different, and celebrate everything that makes Scouting amazing. Whether you're looking to develop your skills, discover new ideas to take back to your section, try out activities your young people love, or simply spend time with fellow volunteers, LINCSFEST 2026 has something for you. Expect a weekend packed with: Inspiring talks and seminars Exciting activities and challenges New skills and ideas to take back with you Opportunities to connect, share, and belong Event Cost £10 – Lincolnshire Scouts members £15 – Non-Lincolnshire Scouts members Participant bookings are now OPEN! Whether you're booking just yourself or a group of volunteers, everyone should use the same online booking system. https://bookings.lincolnshirescouts.org.uk/lincsfest Individuals are very welcome to book themselves on, so don't worry if you're not booking as part of a group. Staff bookings will be released at a later date. If you're volunteering as part of the LINCSFEST staff team, your line manager or LINCSFEST contact will send you the staff booking link directly. Important: Please keep a note of your booking login details. You'll need these later to register for sessions and book your food choices when these become available. Have a question? Contact the team: lincsfest@lincolnshirescouts.org.uk This is just the beginning… Over the coming months, we'll be revealing more about the talks, activities, experiences, and opportunities waiting for you at LINCSFEST 2026. Get ready to LEAD, LEARN, DEVELOP and BELONG!
Welcome to the latest edition of the Lincs County Bulletin. This is issued on the first Friday of each month. The bulletin will be sent to all adults registered on My Membership and distributed widely. To submit material for the bulletin please email howard.nelson@lincolnshirescouts.org.uk . Download as a PDF View historic Bulletins In this issue: From the County Lead Volunteer Lincolnshire Scouts are growing Hobbycraft 10% offer Save the date - Lincs Fest Carbon monoxide risks during camps and expeditions The new Explorer programme is here Sailing Course- 19-20 August @ Girton SC First Aid workshops for young people aged 11-25 Are you looking at working towards your nights away permit?
Appointment of Rich Spence as Joint Programme Team Lead
Jack Evans appointed as Lead Volunteer for Rutland District effective 1 September 2026
Welcome to the latest edition of the Lincs County Bulletin. This is issued on the first Friday of each month. The bulletin will be sent to all adults registered on My Membership and distributed widely. To submit material for the bulletin please email howard.nelson@lincolnshirescouts.org.uk . Download as a PDF View historic Bulletins In this issue: From the County Lead Volunteer Brew it Forward Lincs Fest 2026 Gilwell Reunion Lincoln Pride Cubs on the Water
Welcome to the latest edition of the Lincs County Bulletin. This is issued on the first Friday of each month. The bulletin will be sent to all adults registered on My Membership and distributed widely. To submit material for the bulletin please email howard.nelson@lincolnshirescouts.org.uk . Download as a PDF View historic Bulletins In this issue: From the County Lead Volunteer DLV vacancy - Rutland Bookings now open for WOW Young Leaders Training Adult Volunteer Skills Day Lincoln Pride Awards 2026
Bookings now closed for WOW (Weekend on the Water) as the event is full
