Kit Distribution

For the Eastie Beasties D-Day weekend (kit distribution weekend), we had decided to camp to Thriftwood, Brentwood.

The camp was to be set up in the same size space we would have at the Jamboree site 15×25 meters.

So off I set to mark out the site and it rained,

As members of the unit arrived and began setting up camp it rained,

While supper was being cooked it rained.

At bed time you’ve got it, it rained.

None of this rain dampened the fun of meeting up again, or getting our boxes of extra equipment packed to go off the Gilwell in the morning.

It rained most of the night too.

Corrina was up and off with the other unit leaders to Gilwell to deliver the boxes and pick up the gear for each of us we get is part of the 21st world jamboree package.

So we went off to the lake to build rafts. 4 of them by the time they where all on the lake the fun began who would fall in first , it all happen so quickly I can not say who it was but very soon all members of the unit that had set off on a raft where in the lake. Peels of laughter could be hared all around the site.

Hot showers then lunch before out High Tea party, and it rained and rained and rained, the cucumber sandwiches did not last long nor did the cakes once our guests had arrived for the 3hr they where with us it rained.

While all this was going on the unit leaders returned form Gilwell and the Great unpack began, this had an odd side effect , the Eastie Beasties playing in , on, around and in cardboard boxes of all sizes.

Sumo cardboard box wrestling, cardboard box bed, cardboard box traps to name but a few. NO RAIN, but by bed time it was back again and kept going until we all left site on the Sunday,

All of this was good practices for the coming Jamboree for if we can manage with so much rain we will be Ok at the Jamboree.

Well done Eastie Beasties.

March Camp…

Looking at the building and location I could tell this was going to be a fab weekend.

It was great to see everyone and test each other on remembering our names etc.

Once most of us had arrived we were put into four groups; which we were able to choose ourselves. We remained in these groups for the whole weekend.

Next we had some dinner, and then we were told what we were going to do for the weekend.

We were given lots of time to chat to each other and catch up on all the gossip. Eventually we sorted our sleeping things out and went to sleep.

Next morning, we had to be up and ready to leave site by 9:15am. This wasn’t particularly easy and there was certainly room for improvement but over all we didn’t do too badly.

We had a about a half an hour coach journey to the city of Norwich. We were here to take part in a monopoly challenge, where we visited as many locations on the board as we could and take photographs ideally with the whole group in. We were given £45 for any expenses during the day. This was a really enjoyable day all the sight seeing opened up our eyes.

When we returned to our building we had to create a presentation to show to the other groups and our four leaders.

In the evening we got to watch some video footage of one of the groups’ adventures during the day. This proved to be rather amusing.

The following day, we made some woggles by weaving black and orange rope. This was an interesting experience and one that some people found quite difficult. Dale was the expert.

After this we went outside and did some good old country dancing. This was a giggle. Next it was all-hands-on-deck as we tidied and cleaned the building; our weekend was coming to an end.

Once we’d had lunch we had a final clear up and left for home.

This was an excellent weekend, great fun for us all.

Jo x

The Story…

Once we knew that we were Unit UK108 our first challenge was to find a date and venue for out first get together.

Bowling in Cambridge was thought a good activity for us to start finding out about each other.

Looking back on it now it was like a blind date, what they will look like, will I find them, who will speak to me!!!
After a short time of is we formed up as a group, introducing each other not only to each other,but to mum’s dad’s etc., then it was bye to those who had done the driving and off to the bowling.
What fun, some where so good other not so good but as each game went on the noise levels went up as we mixed more and more.

Having our first meal together turned into quite a game, as we changed seats 3 times so by the end we had all had the chance to say Hi at least to every one else. None of us were BOTHERED about how we might have looked to the other customers.

As we cover so many counties Oxford around to Norfolk the Next challenge was where to hold our first camp, Youlbury National Activity Centre was chosen. Have a look at Sam’s report about it: http://www.eastiebeasties.p8.org.uk/news.html.

For Christmas we joined with the 4 Essex WSJ Units, 200 of us for a mega party and sleepover.
Before and after the party we held activities so we could build on our team building on the Saturday it was ice climbing, cresta run and peddles cars, plus each of us brought a skill or craft to share with one or two others.

After a busy day, GREAT PARTY, late night(early morning for some), breakfast came all to soon, long sleepy lines waiting for food to think of all the noise the night before.
Before we knew it our bus has arrived and we were off to the Jamboree site for the Day (Hylands Park).
Thank goodness it was dry but cold as the challenge was (in group) to find land marks round the site.
We had booked the attic room in Hylands house as our base for the day. All went well until we where part way thought a DVD presentation to the parents. Off went the fire alarm,don’t panic, don’t panic ran thought each leaders mind no one did, soon we had joined all the other visitors to the house and tea room.

Some of us got a little over excited when the firemen arrived but they quickly dealt with the fire then we where then able to finished off our day but it made us think what next.

Welcome to the Eastie Beasties

In 2006 Scouts and Guides in the Uk where selected to attend the 21st World Scout Jamboree to be held at Hylands Park Chemsford Essex. Each unit would have 36 young people and 4 leaders.Our unit Uk108 was formed from 18 Scouts from Essex and 18 Guides from across the Anglia Region plus 2 Guide Leaders and 2 Scout Leaders.

What follows will be how we became the Eastie Beasties, who we are , how we become a team, now and at the Jamboree
2006 was the year that Scouts and Guides across the world had their dreams forfilled