Knutsford Scouts take on camping challenge at home during lockdown

Unable to hold the traditional district camp, members across the district took on the challenge of camping at home.

Many pitched tents in their gardens, some hung hammocks and others built impressive dens. Everyone was encouraged to cook or eat outside, with the fine weather enabling lots of barbecues.

Scouts built their own campfires to make s’mores.

Groups hosted online sessions for scouts to show each other their camp and spent the evening around a virtual campfire with their friends.

There was also the opportunity to join in with Scouts from across the globe. Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland hosted a virtual campfire.

The World Scout Organisation organised a special edition of JOTI (Jamboree on the Internet), where members can speak to other Scouts in different countries and learn about how Scouting differs around the world.

District Commissioner Neil McAleece said: “I am hugely impressed by the young people of Knutsford and Mobberley.

“With the support of their wonderful parents, they showed that Scouting is alive and kicking. They pitched tents, built dens, cooked their food and danced to silly virtual campfires, sharing laughter through the lockdown.

“Scouting At Home has been a new challenge for our leaders, especially to some of our new leaders, like Matt, who has gone above what could ever have been expected of him to keep a programme running.

“In the strange times ahead Scouts will keep running, and I’d like to share my thanks to all the awesome Scout leaders, who have really risen to this challenge.”

Some members have even taken on the challenge of seeing how many nights in April they can camp for.