As a newish leader in the early 90s, I took the Scouts away to camp at Hebden Hey. We arrived on the Friday evening, set up camp, played some games and went to bed. The Scouts talked and shouted all night long, and would not shut up and sleep. As dawn was breaking about 4am I went and “got them up” – “if you’re not going to sleep we may as well go on a hike”. We set off and walked via Crimsworth Dean over the top to Walshaw, then up to Blakedean and back (8 miles) arriving back at lunchtime.
After lunch, most went down to play in the stream, but not John*. He said he was tired and went off to bed for a snooze. After an afternoon playing in the stream (swimming, floating on barrels, on the rope swing) and a big meal at teatime they were begging to go to bed – it was a nice quiet evening.
Sunday morning preparing breakfast and John turns up asking what is for tea – he was not amused when I told him he had missed tea and were going eat breakfast, pack and go home. He had slept for 20 hours!
*Not his real name.
Malcolm Street
(former Scout Leader 43rd Sowerby St Peter’s & 24th St Paul’s, currently Cub Leader)