Venue: Willesley Scout Campsite
Date: 24-26th June 2022
Winning Patrol: The Bowden to the Queen, 1st Bowdens Scout Group
2nd place: Butter Beer Bowdens, 1st Bowdens Scout Group
3rd place: Pizza Cake, 1st Market Harborough

Judges Comments: This year’s competition was between 15 of the best turned out Patrols this century! The standard of camping was exceptionally high considering most of the Scouts had camped no more than twice in the last two years, that we have not been able to hold the competitions, due to the Covid 19 restrictions, many not able to camp at all.

The site was a very level playing field over a large area and each Patrol came up with some innovative gadgets and novel or complex menu items to fit their themes. They also had a large number of judges to please. The weather conditions were not challenging but overall the tent pitching was equal to the high winds and they were very quick to implement any changes suggested by the judges. The kitchen hygiene and food storage was much improved on previous years, apart from a “habit” of leaving food unwrapped during meals, at risk of contamination by wildlife and splashes of washing up water! The other big point-loser was leaving bits of equipment lying around the site where the judges could trip over them, but most things were removed when prompted and we left the site as clean as when we arrived.

The Campfire Skits that each patrol were obliged to perform were brilliantly conceived and executed and well received, making a short but very enjoyable evenings entertainment. The enthusiasm for the activities and the friendliness and helpfulness of all the participants was a
joy to witness. There has to be a winner but all the teams are a credit to their Troop and Leaders and also to Scouting in Harborough District.

Adam’s challenge: High and low zip wire challenges, pedal karts and orienteering
Winning patrol: The Bowden to the Queen, 1st Bowdens Scout Group

Joseph McNair, Lizzy Scott, Daisy Smallman, Olly Bolton, Jamie Forham, Alex Osborne (PL)