This past weekend 9 Guides, 3 Pathfinders and 1 Ranger took part in the Community 21 Camp at Camp Marydale in Mount Hope. We managed intense heat, high winds, collapsing tents, a unusable swimming pool, noisy neighbours, and the need to clear everyone out by 10am due to an incoming wedding! Everything the camp committee could control was wonderfully organized and the girls had a great time - I would highly recommend future camps to others!
On Friday night, we arrived, set up our campsite and had time for everyone to settle in and get their things organized before program started. A big THANK YOU to all the parents who helped with the set up/take down of tents this weekend - your help made a huge difference!
Friday night program started with everyone gathering in the Amphitheatre to hear more about the plans for the weekend. We were told about the 20 Challenge Boxes hidden around the main part of the campsite - in each box was an activity, and once the girls complete the activity, they added a sticker to their card, and would receive a prize for completing all 20 challenges. The girls were then divided into different groups based on colours. Each colour group then had to come up with a name (i.e. Purple Pineapples), design a flag and make up a cheer. They then played team building games, followed by a campfire, snack and bed.
Saturday morning came bright and early, with most of us up before 6am. Breakfast was at 8am and consisted of oatmeal, cold cereal, fruit and juice. There was some free time before opening and morning program, where the girls could search for the Challenge Boxes or just relax.
Saturday morning program was based on 3 Amazing Race-style sessions. The girls moved through the stations in their colour groups, completing two activities at each session in order to receive their ticket to move on to the next station. The activities were:
- Spider Web - where the team has to get through a rope web without touching the ropes, using the same spaces, etc.
- Marshmallow Baseball - played like baseball, with jumbo marshmallows in place of a ball and a giant fly swatter in place of a bat
- Clothespin Tag
- Pizzas - each girl and Guider made their own english muffin pizza for lunch
- Hold the Sponge - girls are handed one sponge at a time to hold in a specified place, more sponges are added until one (or more) is dropped - i.e. hold on knee with elbow, between ankles, under chin
- Beachball Games - one game had the girls divided into two teams, each team held a tarp and used it to toss a beachball back and forth
Lunch was the pizzas we made during the morning sessions, soup, veggies and dip, juice and cookies. Again, the girls had some free time after eating before heading for their afternoon activities.
Saturday afternoon program was sessions that the girls had pre-chosen. As part of the registration package, each girl was asked to rank six sessions in her order of preference, and they were then assigned two of these sessions. The session choices were:
- Wet & Wild - this session was supposed to be swimming, but as the pool had not yet been inspected by the health department, we were unable to use it. Instead, the girls played water games, used a giant slip 'n' slide of tarps and ran under a sprinkler.
- She Hits the Mark! - this session was archery, and very popular!
- Red Fish, Blue Fish - at this session, girls were able to learn about fishing from a local anglers club.
- Ultimate Games - this session involved active and team games.
- Chopped - this session was outdoor cooking, and the girls used camp stoves, flower pot grills, and other methods.
- Water, Water Everywhere - at this session, the girls completed the Water for Life Challenge from Newfoundland.
Between sessions, there was a snack break for watermelon and granola bars. At the end of the afternoon, there was a short break, then we had dinner of hot dogs, hamburgers, cheese, veggies and dip, juice, and cake for desert.
As everyone was tired from the heat, evening program was shortened to just a campfire, after which the girls were free to go to bed, hang out, find the Challenge Boxes, or anything else they chose to do. This worked out well and everyone was in bed earlier than Friday and asleep quickly!
Sunday morning was busy, with everyone packing up their gear before breakfast. Breakfast was simple - cold cereal, yogurt, fruit and juice. Guides' Own was held at 9am, and then we worked quickly to get the tents down and folded as best we could with the wind that gusted through the campsite! Parents arrived for pick-up, and we were all on our way home by shortly after 10am.
The girls had a lot of fun, loved the food, and would come back again another year!
