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Original poster

I got a text from my son on the way back from scout camp

38 replies

FuckAPotNoodle · 03/08/2019 12:26

He’s had a fab time, they’ve done so much, he’s exhausted etc.

Can’t wait for a shower in his own house and his own bed rather than a tiny bunk bed.

Wants a break from chores etc etc.

Pretty much the same message for the last ten or fifteen years - difference is he is now the leader and seeing it from the other side. Made me Grin

Thank you to all volunteers up and down the country, for weekly meetings and for trips away.

OP posts:
TheChippendenSpook · 03/08/2019 12:27

That's lovely Smile

tomboytown · 03/08/2019 13:08
Grin
ChittyChittyBoomBoom · 03/08/2019 13:39

Scouting leaders are just bloody awesome! My kids get such a lot from it

sheshootssheimplores · 03/08/2019 13:41

🥰

DramaAlpaca · 03/08/2019 13:42

That made me smile Grin

Original poster
FuckAPotNoodle · 03/08/2019 14:27

He’s in his bed asleep now hahahaha

OP posts:
Knitwit99 · 03/08/2019 14:34

Aww. My boy has just had a week away with Boys Brigade and I am always so grateful to all the leaders who give up their time for our kids. I make sure I tell them all too.

horseymum · 03/08/2019 14:42

Some folk complain about teenagers being lazy but the many young leaders looking after my kids on residential camps will have their work cut out, this past week and next, they do a fab job and it always impresses me. ( Obviously the adults are great too but I think the teenagers do a fab job when lots of their mates are maybe just sleeping and you tubing the summer away)

supersop60 · 03/08/2019 14:49

I'm waiting for my DS to return from Scout Camp later today. The leaders have given them an amazing week - they are fantastic!

S1naidSucks · 03/08/2019 14:57

That’s really sweet.

I was expecting you to say he told you that he was pushed into a wasps nest by one of the others and ended up with six stings, then later in the trip, fell off a horse into a pile of nettles.

Just mine then. 😁

Beamur · 03/08/2019 15:00

That's brilliant. Well done him.
My DD is a Guide and loves it.

Ohyesiam · 03/08/2019 15:00

Scout leaders are salt of the earth

timeforakinderworld · 03/08/2019 15:02

Another one here waiting for all 3 to get back from scout camp. Really looking forward to seeing them but it's been a lovely week - first kid-free one in 15 years!! Thank you scout leaders everywhere!

stubbyboardman · 03/08/2019 15:03

Mine are both away on Woodcraft camp this week, they're nearly 15 and nearly 17 and it feels really weird without them!

IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 03/08/2019 18:07

This time five years ago my daughter and the rest of their guide troupe were trapped on a coach waiting to board a ferry in Calais following an accident in Dover.

They were held on the coach for six hours.

When they arrived home in the early hours of the next morning the leaders still took the time to speak to the parents individually, telling them what a great time they had had, how wonderful the girls had been and what a pleasure it had been to take them away (they had been to Switzerland for 10 days).

Guide and Scout leaders are amazing.

Original poster
FuckAPotNoodle · 03/08/2019 18:10

He’s in his mid twenties now and doesn’t have kids yet.

He described trying to get kids to do chores in camp as ‘trying to herd cats into a parade”.

OP posts:
Liverpool52 · 03/08/2019 18:15

I became an instructor for the youth organisation I had been in as a teenager. I remember coming home from my first camp as an instructor and feeling utterly broken but in a good way. And marvelling at the fact that it had never occurred to me as a teenager how, if camps were exhausting for the audience, they must have been ten times worse for the staff. Still an instructor for the same organisation but know what to expect now. And still love it.

KindergartenKop · 03/08/2019 21:53

I've been a guide, a leader and a parent! It's hard work but brilliant. Thanks to all those who provide these opportunities. Camp is awesome!

Original poster
FuckAPotNoodle · 03/08/2019 22:09

Sounds like they all had great fun, kids and leaders.

OP posts:
happypotamus · 03/08/2019 22:13

Haha, I am a Guide leader and this made me laugh. I don't get to go to camp for more than one night at a time anymore because I have to fit it around my job and my own family, but I love it despite it being an exhausting 24hrs a day job, trying to entertain the girls, making sure they have a great time, get them to do chores etc, go to sleep, get up in the morning etc etc whilst we are also sleeping on the floor, dealing with what the weather throws at us and all manner of other problems. As a teenager myself, Guide camp gave me some wonderful opportunities and I glad to be a part of providing that to others.

isittooearlyforgin · 03/08/2019 22:24

Scout leaders are awesome

RandomMess · 03/08/2019 22:31
Grin

Hopefully he'll just remember the good bits and be enthusiastic for the next trip away!

SudowoodoVoodoo · 03/08/2019 22:39

Anyone else got flashbacks to the turkey drummers advert at this? Grin

I remember finding my early pack holidays as a leader to be totally exhausting. Then there was the one I went on when I was 7 months pregnant and had a toddler and it was just tiredness as usual! Grin

ExpletiveDelighted · 03/08/2019 22:40

One of my DCs has just been away on camp abroad. Their flight out was cancelled at the last minute, the leaders miraculously managed to find a coach the same day and they embarked on a 30 hour drive through four countries to get to their destination. I salute them!

GrandmaSharksDentures · 03/08/2019 22:40

I've just shown this thread to my DH - he is a scout leader & he laughed!!