Banbury scouts take part in county-wide virtual camp over Easter Bank Holiday weekend

Each scout was encouraged to create a den or put up a tent and sleep in it at their home for the three-day camp, which ran from April 10 to 13.

Along with erecting a den or tent they also took part in scouting activities such as pioneering, fire lighting, flag making and an online camp fire hosted by the county.

Tina Vine, the leader of the 6th Banbury Scouts, said: "The event itself was a great success and those that took part looked as though they really enjoyed themselves.

"It even encouraged parents to take part and camp with them, and take part in scouting activities. You never know, it may even inspire some of the parents to become leaders."

The countywide virtual camp was part a nationwide 'pause' to face-to-face scouting due to Covid-19 the government issued lockdown measures. As a result many groups have been coming up with new ways of continuing to scout online.

Many groups have weekly meetings now via online platforms such a Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts etc.

A spokesperson for Oxfordshire Scounts, said: "It became clear that the drive for members to continue scouting during the UK lockdown was real, so we set about the idea of a virtual camp, whereby we could get as many members of Oxfordshire Scouts camping at the same time in their gardens or in their homes.

"The idea grew and as we started to see hundreds of parents, young people and adults across Oxfordshire sign up we knew we were onto something.

"Our county Programme Team set to creating activities and a virtual camp schedule for the young people to take part in, alongside a list of the badges that could be completed in the home or in the garden. The scouts were all encouraged to set their camp up and cook their meals outside too.

Over the Easter Weekend Oxfordshire Scouts were 'inundated with fantastic' images of all our sections, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Network Scouts all camping either in their homes (in a den) or out in the garden.

It was the first time Oxfordshire Scouts have ever organised such an event.

Our County Commissioner Wendy Tatham said: “Thank you to everyone that has taken part in the first County Virtual Camp - it wouldn't have been the same without every single one of you.

"It has been a real pleasure to see the photos fill my timeline this weekend - from hammocks to dens, pioneering to camp fires, the virtual camp meetings taking place in groups; siblings, pets and parents joining in and of course all the camp songs including a sing a long in Cholsey. So much achieved over a weekend.

"It has shown that scouting will continue to bring people together, is resilient and despite the difficult times we can find and share a positive and feel as much as ever part of the scouting family we all love.”

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