My scouting boys are back home!

In the 2nd half of July we've had an empty nest for over a week because both boys went on their scouting camps. Kabouter was already gone for 10 days whereas Beertje for a week.  

For the first time, they were not sharing the camp or location.   Kabouter is part of the "jong-givers" who left to an empty grass field near the French border.  As a non-scouting mom, I felt a little bit of shock when I dropped him and his friends off on the field with no provisions besides tent lines and poles to make their own constructions. 

Beertje went with all the 6-11 year olds to a farm site near my mother's birthplace.  They also slept in tents but had some sheds to seek indoor shelter in case of bad weather, according to the other parents who dropped them off. 

a view from far away on "their" camp field

When Beertje had left as well, I spent a week checking the rain radar as the prediction just a low level of showers didn't remain and there were especially in the south of the country quite some downpours. I just hoped they'd be able to stay more or less dry and find some sheltered activities if needed. 

I know we'd not get updates but was very glad to see some pictures in the what'sapp and the FB page just before I had to go and pick-up Beertje. 
I met some tired but happy and talkative kids at the pick-up that proudly showed me around at "their farm" and got to hear the stories of a scary night in the corn field nearby, and that they gave their cubs vow or how they were allowed to cut down the dead apple tree for the big camp fire etc... Seemed like a good camp and there weren't even too much complaints about the dozens of mosquito bites in his face.  

For Kabouter, there were apparently some scouts with a phone anyhow that they had to give to the leaders but now and then they were allowed to take pictures. And now we got some in the group's what'sapp.  So cool to see some insight of their camp. 

The day after Beertje, Kabouter got dropped off at home, and he bombarded me with stories. Stories about 2day hikes and maps that were confusing, washing themselves in the creek 20' min walk from their site, cooking themselves on campfires (and the intention to start cooking at home), ... but also plans on becoming a scouting leader himself over x years etc.   They were for the first time split in scout patrols so the youngest got divided and split in the different patrols, but that went well. Each patrol had constructed their own shelter etc.  It sounded so basic survival to me, but the enthusiasm was contagious.  They had been wet, but apparently not too much, although the new rain jacket clearly leaked and was not qualitative. But not many complaints, like a true scouts that manages the situation.  

Happy reunions

The advantage of them both not being at the camp is that they don't know what they did each other. So I profited this week to listen to their questions and answers "did you have a backwards day? " "how was your day-hike? " "did you do a 1 against all challenge? "... I learned so much more than other days. And I feel they mean it when both think they've had the best camp so far.  And I see them mature so much and I'm proud.