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.
What Trustees do, really makes a difference. Lincolnshire Scouts are looking for a new Trustee for a 3 year term starting from September 2025. We need your experience and wisdom to help us make sure we’re well governed and managed.
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 Winners Announced! Chill Out - Groups and Staff Lincs Fest - Bookings open Inclusion Survey Join the Support Team New Lead Volunteer for Sleaford Needed From the County Youth Lead William Swift - Chief Scout’s Unsung Hero Award Winner Safety training Vacancies in County Section Support team National Scout Archery Competition
Congratulations to William of 7th Grantham for being 1 of 20 unsung heroes to receive an award from Chief Scout Dwayne Fields
World Scout Jamboree Leader Applications
☕ Brew it Forward – Nominate a Volunteer for a Well-Earned Cuppa!
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! Chill Out Membership System Programme Team Youth Shaped Safety Making plans for the future New Lead Volunteer for Sleaford needed Poacher 2026 Jamboree and County Internationals
We want to hear from YOU!
Adam Jacklin will be stepping down from his role as District Lead Volunteer for Sleaford District on 4 November 2025. As Adam prepares to step down as District Lead Volunteer for Sleaford this November, I would like to take the opportunity to offer my thanks for the energy, dedication, and leadership he has brought to the role. Adam has been a driving force behind many positive developments within the District, always bringing a thoughtful and steady approach to everything he does. Throughout his term, Adam has consistently put young people at the centre of our work. His collaborative style has helped build strong teams and foster a real sense of community among our volunteers. Whether supporting events, shaping strategy, or mentoring others, Adam has been generous with his time and tireless in his commitment to the values of Scouting. While Adam is stepping back from the DLV role, I know his involvement with the District and County will continue. I look forward to seeing the next chapter of his Scouting journey and extend our warmest thanks for the significant contribution he has made over the years. We are looking a new District Lead Volunteer roles for Sleaford District. As a result we are now recruiting for its next inspirational volunteer (or team of volunteers) to lead Sleaford District. Please click to download the pack which contains detailed information about the role as well as 2 application forms which volunteers can use to either express their interest in the role or to nominate someone else for consideration. We would love to hear from you if you would like to apply or if you would like to find out more information about the role. The deadline for all applications is 1 July 2025. Interviews will be held in July. Please contact malcolm.moore@lincolnshirescouts.org.uk or howard.nelson@lincolnshirescouts.org.uk if you have any questions. The application form and more information about the role is enclosed here . Applications should be sent to malcolm.moore@lincolnshirescouts.org.uk Deadline for Applications: 23:59 1 July 2025
