In July we went to camp at Huish Woods.

21 boys came (the younger boys were invited to the YBC camp instead) and became Pirates!

The Pirate Gangs on the mess deck for breakfast.

Although we were camping we also had use of the Tone Cabin which we used for cooking. The Pirates took turns at all the chores.

Every activity during the camp was aimed at earning pieces of Pirate Gold.

Each of the four Pirate Gangs built themselves a Ship.

Although they were given a basic idea about building a ship, they could use their own design and were given points for imagination. The Ship had to be strong and light, so it could be carried by two or three members of the crew.

Ships under full sail, heading down to the field.

The Ships lined up for inspection.

And then the battle! Each Pirate Gang was armed with wet sponge balls to attack the enemy Ships. The last Ship to keep it's sails was the winner.

More details of the sea battle, if you're a Leader and want to do this with your own Pack, are available here.

Practising boarding techniques.

Don't tell your parents how stinky and slimy that mud is at the bottom!

String trail, hunting for Pirate Gold.

On the last day we had a good go on the zip line - flying the Jolly Roger!

And finally, with all the Pirate Gold returned to the Chest, the Curse was lifted and we could all go home.