Family Camp 2024
Friday 19th – Sunday 21st July, 2024
Phasels Wood Activity Centre
Setup & volunteering
To prepare for the camp we need volunteers to help with various tasks split over a few days. At the Parents Meeting in May we had a fantastic number of volunteers – click the + button on each day below to remind yourself of when your family has volunteered!
Monday 15th June, 7:45pm, Scout Hut – equipment sorting
Volunteers: Messrs, Akela, Allsopp, Anthony, Austin, Bennett, Broad, Cockbill, Davidson, Johnson, Malandain, Murcutt, O’Leary, Owen, Palmer, Ryder, Santiago, Sapey, Simmonds
Wednesday 17th June, 7:45pm, Scout Hut – load vans & trailers
Volunteers: Messrs, Allsopp, Barton, Broad, Cayley, Cockbill, Culley, Hunt, Judd, Malandain, O’Leary, Owen, Poyton, Russell, Sapey, Simmonds, Tallent
Thursday 18th June* – take equipment to camp & set up
*Leave Scout Hut at 5:30pm or meet at Phasels Wood at 7:00-7:30pm.
Volunteers: Akela x 2, Badger, Broad x 4, Cockbill, Allsopp, Gledhill, Malandain x 2, Preece, Richards x 2, Ross, Simmonds
Sunday 21st July, approx 4:00pm, Scout Hut – unload
Volunteers: Messrs Allsopp, Broad, Cockbill, Gilchrist, Gillham, O’Leary, Palmer, Robinson, Santiago, Simmonds, Tallent, Walters, Williams, Wilson,
What to pack
Beavers, Cubs & Scouts should arrive in uniform, which is also required for first flag break. Please also pack a tea towel for emergency use.
Bring a cake!
We ask all families to bring a cake (in a squirrel proof container) or a packet of biscuits (for tea breaks etc.) and hand in to a leader. These are then made available as communal treats throughout the weekend!
Kit list
- Tent (unless borrowing)
- Soap/flannel/towels
- Uniform (worn to camp)
- Waterproofs/wellies
- Sun lotion/hats/shades
- Torches/spare batteries
- (Old) long sleeved shirt, trousers, torch/head torch for potholing & cresta run
- Sleeping bag/blankets etc
- Toothbrush & paste
- 3 sets clothing & footwear
- Walking boots (if available)
- Personal medication
- Late nite games/refreshments
- Camp beds/lilos
- Shaving kit/batteries
- Swimming costume
- Hankies
- Cuddly toy
- Cameras/video
Go Outdoors discount
If you are thinking of buying any new camping or outdoors equipment, don’t forget as Scout members you get 10% discount at Go Outdoors. For details and how to get the discount, visit the Go Outdoors website.
Getting to Family Camp
Phasels Wood Activity Centre is just off the M25/A41 near Hemel Hempstead, about 50 miles from Abingdon.
Directions
The post code is WD4 9NA, but note that Sat nav systems may lead up very narrow lanes to the back entrance which is now closed.
Approaching from M40
Exit M40 at junction 1a, then clockwise on M25, turning off at junction 20 and taking A41 towards Aylesbury.
Approaching from A41 (Aylesbury)
From A41, continue to junction 20 (M25), then come back up other carriageway of A41.
After 1 or 2:
Travel up the A41 for about 1½ miles. As you drop into a valley you will see the lay by on the ascent out of the valley. There is also a clear sign post. Pull into lay by, take left turn into camp entrance.
On the camp site map take the main track through the site, turning left after the buildings, the car park is straight ahead.
Walk across the field in front of the wardens bungalow to the Cedars field, our mess area will be in front of the chalet.
Click map to enlarge
Arrival & Flag Break
Campers should arrive between 5.00 and 7.00pm on Friday evening, supper will be provided. Flag break (the official start of the camp) will be around 8.45pm – even if you’re not fully set up!
Friday supper
We will have a hot dinner available from 5.30pm running through to 8.00pm. Hot and cold drinks all evening, and soup for supper after flag break about 9.30am. Full programme, notes and rotas will be issued at flag break.
Check-in with Badger
Report on arrival to Badger or another leader. Please take notice of any instruction as to where you can/cannot erect your tent, as we need to make best use of our site, for safety and open spaces.
No vehicles on the camping fields
We are camping in and around Cedars Field as shown on the camp site map, which also shows the car park. Please do not bring your vehicle onto the camping fields.
Camp Programme
Saturday evening entertainment
On Saturday evening we have a camp fire, usually accompanied by a fun selection of camp songs (you’ll all be singing along by the end!). Afterwards the youngsters can have a go at toasting some marshmallows and enjoy a hot chocolate.
Facilities
There are full toilet and shower facilities very close to our site, and a well stocked providore.
Sleeping is normally in families own tents, but we may have a limited number of 2-3 person tents available on request (let us know while booking).
Explorer Scouts can either camp with their families or in single sex tents.
Food & drink
The camp fee includes all food needed for the weekend, although we do ask each family to bring a cake to add to the communal stock for snacks between activities!
Cooking at the camp is done communally, with all adults normally doing one cooking or washing up duty (as part of a supervised team) on a rota basis. All cooking equipment, crockery and cutlery is provided by the Scout Group. We have use of a fully fitted kitchen.
Allergies and dietary requirements will be catered for, with details requested during the booking process.
Tea, coffee, water and squash are available throughout the weekend.
Departure
We will finish by 2.00pm on Sunday after a light lunch. We will need help packing up the communal camp facilities, so please try and make yourself available!
Camp Rules
In order to camp, Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, and non scout siblings must be accompanied throughout by a parent. All children remain their parents responsibility at all times (unless being instructed on an activity).
As children under 8 will be on camp all adults must be a registered Occasional Helper with the Scouts and have a valid DBS disclosure which is done through the Scout system. These are valid for 5 years. NO ADULT CAN CAMP WITHOUT A DBS. If you do not already have this, we will get the relevant forms to you for completion, the earlier the better in our experience.
Please note it is Scout Association policy that all those under 18 should not consume alcohol on a Scout camp.
Should the weather be poor on the weekend, some activities may not be possible. If exceptionally bad there may be circumstances where the camp would need to be curtailed.
If you need to change family numbers / details, please do so before the end of May 2024.
If we exceed the number of campers we can accommodate, a waiting list will be started with deposits returned to those who have paid.
If we have insufficient numbers to make the camp viable, deposits will be returned.
Contacts
If you have any questions or issues regarding the camp arrangements, please email Tony Allsopp – events@2ndabingdonscouts.org.uk, or speak to Paul Shipman (Badger) or John Gledhill (Group Scout Leader) at section meetings.
Contact Us
2nd Abingdon Scout Hut, Farm Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 1NB
