Convict Camp 2009

Last weekend we embarked (as all good convicts do) on a journey to the land down under.... Terra Australis. The journey from jolly old England was fraught with danger and terrors not for the feint hearted!

Actually, we drove about 1km to our beloved (and soon to be gone) Tara Campsite in NSW. But we were convicts for all purposes.

The girls had made convict costumes for the camp and looked fabulous. Each girl received a new identity with the crime they had committed imprinted on it for all to see. All the names were women who had been sent to Australia as a convict and the crimes were real. Imagine someone being deported for impersonating an Egyptian or for showing their bottom in church!

Our first night was full of excitement and hard work as we made camp. Those bell tents were expertly raised and the patrol shelters were fantastic. Considering that we had quite a few girls who had never outdoor camped before Banksia and I were very impressed.

The next day began with slight disappointment as our bush tucker man didn't show up! Luckily Lieutenant Collins and Captain Tench knew a bit about bush craft and a great walk around the bush site was experienced. Banksia was full of knowledge about how the local flora was used by aboriginal people to make tools, medicine and weapons. 

After lunch we departed for our wide game - "Escape From Parramatta". I'm not sure how many convicts survived the trip over the "Blue Mountains" to freedom, but we sure had a lot of fun trying - semaphore activities, tracking, building humpies out of fallen bush litter, first aid (snake bite!), raft building to cross the Nepean River, spear throwing and finally a quiz on all things Bush Tucker related. Congratulations to both patrols on a game well played.

Dinner was a bit of concern to the girls. They were presented with meat and vegetables to cook in a dixie over an open fire. What was the meat? Well, they were told it could have been anything from possum to koala, or even kangaroo! Funny how it all tasted just like lamb! Dessert was a hit with coal baked bananas with marshmallows and choc chips, smothered in whip cream.

After cleaning up it was time for the traditional campfire - organised by the two patrols. One patrol presented the songs while the other patrol encouraged us to join in the interactive stories. Great job girls. Special mention goes to Brooke who managed to keep the whole campfire cohesive and entertaining.

After a struggle to get our younger girls to bed Banksia and I enjoyed a game of "Spotlight" with our older guides. Who ever would have thought that Bethany could stay so quiet and so still for such a long time?????? Not me!

After a good nights sleep (and a little sleep in) we rose and began to break camp. The aim was to pack up all our tents, patrol shelters and cooking gear before the commencement of the Great Convict Games. I must admit, playing "Bash a Rat" was one of the funniest things I have ever done on a Guides camp.

Thanks  goes to Naomi and Gillian for selflessly giving up their weekend to be our QM's and general helpers. BRAVO ladies!

And on a personal note I would like to thank Banksia for all her help with my accreditation in outdoor camping. I couldn't have done it without you Banksia!

Now to start planning the next camp.........