Donibristle Troop, Summer Camp

Unlike previous years where we have attended an organised international camp, six scouts, Blair, Stephen, Calum, Owen, James and Gavin and two leaders Paul and Gordon from the troop attended a bushcraft camp, to learn some survival skills.  Although Gavin has moved to Carnock, and the local troop there, he was invited as he was instrumental in suggesting a bushcraft camp and wanted to attend.

The camp was held on the Auchingarrich estate, next to the Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre, south of Comrie in Perthshire under the watchful eye of Ian MacFarlane who runs 'Do It Outdoors', our instructor. The camp was held between the 30th July and 6th August. Although tents were available, the scouts had the opportunity to make shelters from natural material and sleep in them.  This may sound like fun and with good weather it is. However, with the rain experienced during the week, it concentrates the mind on ensuring your shelter is well constructed and weather proof, well at least the roof.

All cooking was done on open wood fires, after all there was an ample supply in the woods, but it did need collecting, cutting and splitting and the scouts soon were becoming experienced in the use of knives, axes and saws, and in the case of Blair, the BIGGER the better. To be fair though, he is a big lad and wielding a felling axe and a splitting maul was not a problem to him, while the smallest of the group James, struggled with even a hand-axe.  This taught the scouts that even knives, the bain of street culture and gangs, are tools, that have uses in survival situations.

Over the week, the scouts and leaders learned to make shelters, set traps (didn't catch any rabbits though), fish (caught 8 rainbow trouts between them, but don't mention fishing to Blair), light firrs using natural material and without matches or flints (have you made fire from rubbing two bits of wood together), Made cord from tree roots and nettles, skinned and gutted rabbits and fish and cooked them, and learned a lot about what can be used from around us.  We had one day when we went for a walk, up to the local monument, finishing with a swim at the local pool and walk around Crief. Well I think they found a 'Subway' and stopped there.

The biggest 'shock' I thought would be, turned out to be another experience. The scouts were introduced to the joys of a composting toilet, that they all took turns in emptying into the compost heap or midden. This along with digging a hole for a urinal, and washing in the burn, brought camp hygiene back to the very basics.  Of course I didn't tell them that only a few hundred yards away, the Wildlife Park had real flushing loos.  Sorry that is wrong, I did tell them on the last day that not only was there flushing loos, with hot water for washing, there was a shop, that sold ice cream and sweets ....!

However, these adventure camps are not without risk, mainly from knives and walking though woods gaining scratches, cuts and insect bites.  However on day 1, James suffered a serious wound from a sharpened stick, and that required a trip to the local minor injuries clinic in Crief, followed by a trip to Perth A&E, to have 4 stitches.  True to the grit expected from Rambo, he was more worried about having to go home, and was relieved that the doctor allowed him back to camp, where he took a very active part.

Gordon Stevenson

Scout Leader, Donibee Troop.