Over 20,000 Scouts were out camping over the weekend 26/27 May across Scotland as part of the 2007 Centenary celebrations.
Here are stories from some of the camps
Gordon Area
Almost 800 youngsters and their leaders from Gordon Area had a great weekend at Castle Forbes which is near Alford in Aberdeenshire.
There were over 50 activities on offer including scuba diving, dry slope skiing and tubing, a Mitsibushi 4 x 4 safari, fencing, orienteering, conservation and lots of craft bases. The Territorial Army were also on site, showing youngsters how to prepare ration packs. They also provided face painting - no cute tiger faces here though - black and green camouflage instead! Grampian Fire and Rescue brought along two fire appliances giving the Scouts a really interesting insight into what they do. The younger children got to try thier hand at make believe fire fighting with a specially designed wendy house, pump and hose.
On Saturday afternoon almost 250 Beavers joined in the fun and some of the bravest even had a go on the aerial runway. In the evening ther was a tradtional camp fire, and guest of honour was Lord Forbes who is an Honorary Vice President of Scouting in Gordon.
The camp finished at lunchtime on Sunday and everyone went home with great memories of this very special event.
Inverness
Over 1000 Scouts took part in the Inverness Area Centenary Camp at Belladrum.
Highlights during the weekend included a banquet for over 200 Beaver Scouts, the campfire attended by all 1000 participants and live entertainment form local school rock bands.
Ayrshire
The Ayrshire Area Camp was held on the Auchincruvie campus of the Scottish Agricultural College. Perhaps the highlight, quite literally, of the camp for the Explorers was the chance to do some flying!
Galloway
The Galloway Area Camp was held at Kirkdale Port, between Gatehouse and Creetown. Activities ranged from face painting to pony trekking and kayaking and in the evening 360 people sat down at one very big long table for the Centenary banquet.
Assistant Area Commisioner Nigel Scott explains: "There were tables and chairs coming in from every village hall in the area, and the table was so long you couldn't make out the people at the other end!
Towards the end of the banquet there was a fly-past from an RAF rescue helicopter from Prestwick who did some very impressive tricks.
Kincardine & Deeside
Over 300 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Leaders from Kincardine & Deeside held their own adventure packed Braemar Gathering style Centenary Camp in Royal Highland Games Park, Braemar.
The Centenary gathering featured a wide range of activities such as a mini Highland Games, grass sledging, the ‘Centenary Piece’ competition to create an award winning sandwich and campfire entertainment before lighting Centenary beacon.
9 year old Cub Charlie from 1st Banchory said: “It is been really good, this is my first ever Cub camp and I have had lots of fun! I have really enjoyed myself and I made some new friends.”
Peter a 15 year old Explorer Scout from Stonehaven said: “I have really enjoyed the camp at Braemar in spite of a few rain showers. We got to throw wet sponges at our Leaders which was great! I also really liked the stomp rockets.” He added “I would definitely come back again if there was another Area camp next year.”
Local MP Sir Robert Smith and Kincardineshire Lord Lieutenant, John Smart also popped in past to check out the fun the campers were having despite the mixed weather!
Aberdeen
Chief Commissioner for Scotland, Eleanor Lyall, dropped in past Templars’ Park by helicopter on Sunday May 27 to check out how Aberdeen’s camp was going.
Eleanor and Explorer Commissioner Andrew Sharkey joined over 900 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Network and Leaders who were taking part in wide range of exciting activities including circus skills, tai chi, crate climbing, backwoods cooking, street dancing and archery.
Highlights of the weekend included a drummer led procession to the largest campfire Aberdeen has held for a long time. The singing was so loud it could be heard in nearby city suburb Peterculter a good couple of miles away!
More than half the Aberdeen Scout population attended the action packed camp and experienced sun, rain, hail, wind and sub zero temperatures over the course of the weekend but kept smiling through!
Leader and Network Scout, Ian Stuchbury said: “Despite the worst the weather could throw at us the camp was a big success. There were a huge number of different things going on – from tai chi to climbing to magic shows there was something for everyone. For many this was their first experience of camping and I’m sure it’ll stay in their memories for a long time to come – it certainly will for me!