St Mary's Calne
On Friday 23 May, as most students were heading for home from a busy week of exams, five Guides from the St Mary’s unit made their way to Wroughton to the Girlguiding Wiltshire North County Campsite for five nights of Guide Camp. Joined by eight girls from 1st Calne Guides, the girls set to work putting up their tents - their home for the next six days.
The camp itself had the theme of ‘Spy Adventures’ so many of the activities revolved around this. From matching footprints to shoes using oil and cocoa powder, to learning fingerprinting from a former police officer to writing messages in lemon juice they all earnt their badge for the week. In addition we were grateful to Cherhill Scouts for teaching the girls axe throwing.
Saturday and Tuesday we stayed on site, completing camp skills activities such as making a shoe rack out of gadget wood and string, as well as cooking their lunch on wood fires. The goggles from swimming on Sunday came in useful, keeping smoke from their eyes! The older girls also learned how to repair tents and create shelters, though sadly the weather was too windy for the girls to bivvy.
On Sunday, we took a trip to Marlborough where they did a town trail, following clues to find answers and bought their lunch on a budget of £2.50 per girl: quite a challenge! The chance to go swimming was one the girls leapt at the chance for. On the Monday we went for a walk to West Kennet Long barrow, and spent time in Avebury - admittedly dodging the odd rain shower.
The St Mary’s girls all got stuck in, learning new skills such as washing up by hand. They were also to be commended by doing their duties with a smile on their faces - from cooking, to water collection and cleaning. They made new friends with the girls from 1st Calne Guides and are looking forward to our next joint adventure.
Special thanks to the team of leaders from Calne District; all volunteers who gave up their holiday time for free to make this happen.
Mrs Samantha Handy, Leader of 4th Calne (St Mary’s Calne) Guides and Rangers