Flush with the sounds of the 2007 Jamboree and the amazing Bodwarts still ringing in our ears Kings of the Wild Frontier seemed the most natural thing to organise for 2008. A wild west themed camp with all the trimmings. A few phone calls and meetings would be planned. The organising party was standing at the ready and we were looking set to go. But wait this was still October 2007. Suddenly somebody said STOP. Were we doing too much?

We were all getting tired from the centenary year. Looking around at leaders with no voices whilst the hoar frost glistened we decided that the great autumn camp was best moved to a warmer part of the year. We concluded that May was a gap in the calendar. Back to normality and the idea was not advanced very much beyond clearing the possibility of a site at Batemans, the former home of Jungle book's Rudyard Kipling in Burwash.

December rushed up and with it the prospect of another year in scouting as part of Ashdown district. It seems right to offer the camp to the district so that other groups could get involved and help organise so that the bags under our leaders eyes might be a little less sallow. We were sure that the experience of bodwarts would appeal to all cubs, scouts and explorers in the area. We had not seen a district weekend camp since 2000. An enthusiastic yes was echoed from the district but guess what they elected ticehurst to be centre stage for the event.

We set about the organising will our usual vigour. Secured the site - the amazing National Trust run Batemans at Burwash , native american re enactors, a barn dance, tepees, and of course with help from Hartfield leader Neil Postlethwaite the prospect of a real live shooting gallery. Cowboys were courted and fire eating showmen for the campfires.

Nearer the time it became obvious that not all the district groups were going to be able to attend and far from being just a part of the event, Ticehurst became major organisers of activities and events on camp.

Thanks to Wadhurst Leader Gill Hill the paper chase had begun but the wires were very quiet until just before the event. It became impossible to guess the numbers that were attending except we knew that Hartfield ticehurst and Wadhurst would be there in numbers.

In the event Representatives from Rotherfield and Southon scouts from Crowborough attended along with local cubs from Burwash, Cubs and scouts from Ticehurst and Hartfield and some members of the NTC. It did seem that we would have to organise an event like this far in advance if we were to attract the other groups even though we had top attractions, a brilliant site and a great programme mix.

Our scouts and leaders made main street from pallets, coral posts ropes and sheets fixed to the sides of our marquees. Signs and a corral gate set the scene. Through a last minute holdup with the canvas supplier it looked like we were not going to be able to have tepees on site except for the re enactors. Gill came up trumps by finding out that argos were taking delivery of some modern style tepees in their stores. Only one per store. Agents were dispatched to secure them and we managed to get 6 to complete our happy hunting ground.

Stew Lomax was called in at the last minute to provide the panning for gold activity. What a star he was. The arrangement with some canny "gold" kept many small people enthralled for hours.

The district fellowship came along in force to take charge of the backwoods cooking. It had been arranged with our own leadership to bring along pheasants, rabbits and even deerskin for showing frontier skills. they impressed us further by cooking apple pies and other goodies in a makeshift oven. A near miss moment occurred when the wood anticipated for the backwoods cooking was sidetracked but it all seemed to work out in the end.

Resplendent in authentic and hand made regalia the Blackfeet lodge natives appeared and set up a dazzling display of artifacts and crafts which captured the imagination of most of us on camp.

Brian Sadd,our district commissioner hardly got any rest over the weekend as he plied his trade of leathercraft to an extremely willing audience. I am constantly told that the youth of today are not interested in this sort of thing anymore!

Hartfield leaders had worked hard to bring along the best turned out frontier group and set up a brilliant shooting range offering tin can alley and target shooting to all. Again so popular all weekend

In the mayhem department we built the storm the fort challenge. a climbing frame with ropes, cargo nets and a 5m abseil to finish. It challenged the cubs and scouts all weekend and formed the leader challenge for the weekend too. Paul of course made the MC job his own.

With explorers along for part of the weekend there was a great tower building competition followed by the noisiest searchlight game that i have ever experienced. The searchlight was so powerful I was surprised that planes were not diverted from Gatwick.

The great campfire was led by Alan Thompson with a traditional campfire disturbed only by our own zany brand of modern songs like Harry Potter

The indian brave challenge proved very interesting. The 'braves' had to run to a river, pick an apple form water, run to another point where they picked sweets from flour. Ran a course to return for a hand in the unknown challenge before being offered drinks. Thanks Simon and Annie for that one.

Our catering team of Rosie, Gill and Sharon did a brilliant job and set a new standard for camp cooking.

Let's not forget where we were. everyone was able to visit Batemans and see for themselves some of the artifacts that linked this place with scouting. Batemans opened its doors to scouting and we were very grateful to be let in. The wild west came to Batemans for a weekend and was pretty wild!

After running a dutch arrow set for us Martyn Everitt soon became aware of the stunning scenery and wanted to get out hiking. We pitched at him one of the two hour walks in the area and he set off with a gang of cubs scouts and leaders across the fields and into the valley. They returned 4 hours later. Enough time to miss closing the camp ready to go home.

The verdict. For those that came - brilliant. For those that could not make it. We are sorry that this was such a great event that you missed.

Pictures