The Scout value of co-operation helped to deliver an adventure to remember for 27 young people and seven adult volunteers from 3rd Newbury this summer, as they made friends with Scouts from 1st Warley in Brentwood on a trip to the Ardeche.
The unexpected partnership, the result of booking with the same adventure company, led to new friendships, shared memories and the promise of a long-lasting cross-county relationship between Berkshire and Essex.
After an epic 13-hour journey in the same coach, including a ferry across to Dunkirk, the two groups of Scouts were united and formed a new alliance over games of bingo. By the time they reached their destination in southeast France, they were ready to share their summer escapades.
3rd Newbury’s Mark Batehup picks up the story.
“The journey, whilst tiring, was well worth it when we got to the campsite,” he said. “We were greeted by a hearty lunch with fresh baguettes with cheese, ham and madeleines for a sweet treat afterwards. We were then introduced to the river, predominantly a lazy slow and shallow river but unexpectedly warm. The Scouts seemed to enjoy the team building games in the river but were certainly ready for their tea!”
During their week away, the activities included ziplining over the river and through the trees at the Accrobranche site, playing pool volleyball, as well as Jacob’s Ladder, crate stacking and various games. They also indulged in local cuisine with typical French fare, encouraged by adventure leader Thierry, whose mealtime singsongs left a lasting impression.
Mark added: “The highlight of our camp was the 23km kayak along the river with an overnight bivouac 8km in. We were shown how to paddle, steer, enter and exit the kayak as well as informed we’d be going through some rapids. This all seemed straight forward, and the Scouts set off keenly. All was going well until, due to low water levels and a well laden kayak one of the leader’s kayaks caught a sharp rock and started to take on water. Luckily it didn’t sink but it was very hard to manoeuvre. A bit of duck tape was suggested as a fix but in the end a gas torch and some plastic shavings saved the day!”
The group also visited the local market town of Roums, where they used the opportunity to buy souvenirs and sweets while the adults relaxed with coffee, followed by a final ice cream.
Reflecting on the shared experience with Essex Scouts, Mark said: “Whilst 3rd Newbury on their own would have had and amazing time, the unexpected partnering up with 1st Warley gave the group a different dynamic – for the better. It also goes to show that Scouting helps young people be gregarious, accommodating, understanding and kind. I know that some of 3rd Newbury Scouts have swapped numbers and other forms of communication with 1st Warley and are looking forward to next meet up which hopefully will be early next year.”
For the young people, it was an unforgettable trip. The group’s youngest Scout, Seb, was invested in the Ardeche, while for others the memories they took away will stay with them for a long time.
Milo said it was ‘an amazing experience’ and claimed the caves were beautiful. Olivia said the caves were pretty and was ‘impressed with the way they sparkled’.
Meanwhile, Beth said that the Ardeche river was breathtaking and commented on how well kept and clean the riverbanks were.