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

[FuckAPotNoodle]

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

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

hahaa I love this.. made me laugh out loud

YES! They re amazing!

Please thank your DS from all grateful parents everywhere. DH was a leader for 18 months but sadly couldn’t continue due to commitments.

DC has been camping since beavers, now 15 and doing DofE, and I am always immensely grateful for (but baffled WHY) the leaders give their time, their much needed sleep and their sanity to help noisy, rowdy, smelly, unwashed youngsters on their regular camps. Leaders are amazing. Our troupe has had some of the leaders for over a decade, their commitment and dedication is appreciated more than I can ever express with annual Xmas / birthday chocs & wine. It’s wonderful that your DS has enjoyed his time so much that he is now a leader
#Gilwell24

Scout leaders are amazing. Ds 1 is currently in America on the world scout jamboree and his leaders have been amazing, as have all his leaders from beavers to now. Both boys have gained so much from scouting .

I read this wincing and waiting for you to say he said something awful happened.

God I've become a cynic. Thank you for sharing this lovely post - I'm going to force myself to be glass half full for the rest of the weekend at least!

I’m glad this has raised a smile for many.

DS has been in scouting since he was six, and rarely missed a night or activity. He’s had so much fun and amazing opportunities.

He left as he headed off to uni, but a chance encounter with a fellow scout two years ago drew him back in and they are now both leaders.

This was his first week long residential since then, and he definitely enjoyed it.

We've just booked all 3 of next year's residentials for our Brownies. We know we'll be stressed & exhausted... and that the girls will have a wonderful time with new challenges met & memories made. YL is off to uni though, and we'll miss them like crazy.

Wondering if he was on my friends bus, as leader told everyone to text mum, so THEY all did even the Adults.

Mine all started as Beavers and are now young leaders in the same fabulous scout troop. It’s testimony to the example set by their amazing leaders that they have stayed on to help with the younger ones.

@missmapp - my boys are at WSJ too - what an awesome experience!

@mummy2017 perhaps lol.

Thank you to all the leaders, I honestly believe that Scouting and such like provides massive mental health benefits to children. My DS started in Beavers and has just moved up to Scouts. I hope he sticks with it through to young leader. It has been such a force for good in his life.

Mine has been there from Beaver to Young Leader, it has been great for him.

Mine went through Beavers to Scouts and then volunteered there as part of their Gold and Silver DofE Awards.

Fab organisation and all credit to the volunteer helpers at all levels

I figured out last week (via their nights away badges) that my two boys have done about 150 nights away with scouts between them.
Bloody amazing organisation!

(DH was there for about half of these)