PIRATES OF CREINA

Satellite District Bridging Camp - June 23 - 25, 2006

Ahoy there, Mateys! Camp started off on Friday, June 23, 2006 with the buccaneers, checking in, setting up their berths in their respective sites, being assigned to their Pirate groups and receiving their bandanas. There were 8 colour groups consisting of Captain Jack Sparrow, Captain Hook, Dread Pirate Roberts, Long John Silver, Blackbeard, Captain Morgan, the Lost Boys and Captain Kidd. There was a rousing camp fire with plenty of grog to go around. On Saturday the Sparks or Mini Sea Dogs arrived & were directed to their colour groups where the buccaneers were earning their sea legs by making their colour group Jolly Roger pirate flag. Then it was onto Swabby Clothing where they painted a skull & cross bone onto black t-shirts specifically sized for each buccaneer. Polly Parrots were made at Maple Lodge and Tinkerbells and her wand were made at Sail-o-quas. We can't forget the Johnny Depp bead craft for the buccaneers' bandana and the gold hoop earring. Saturday afternoon in the main field at Creina was the site of a great sea battle between the buccaneer groups. The water flowed freely between the groups & leaders. A search for booty proved bountiful for all. Pirate ships were constructed of cardboard, duct tape & painted. The buccaneers came into campfire that night with their pirate ships & singing their pirate chants. All groups, including the Guiders at camp did an exceptional job on their pirate ship and the individual group chants were awesome.

Skits were done around the campfire.

Sunday was the scene of a District Advancement where all buccaneers arrived in full pirate regalia - their colour bandanas, pirate t-shirt, their Polly parrot on their shoulder, their camp hat crafts and wearing their booty from the treasure hunt. The Sparks or Mini Sea Dogs were Tinker belled into Brownies, the Brownies were Tinker belled into Guides. The Guides, Pathfinders, Sr. Branches walked the plank to their respective groups. Corey O'Connell, a Junior Leader and a member of Satellite District Senior Branches received her Chief Commissioner Gold Award and Commonwealth Award.

Shiver me timbers! A good time was had by all during this "sweet trade". Special thank you's go to our Q.M.'s, Nancy Harvey, Tracy Harvey and Kathleen Bouch, the Satellite District Senior Branch group, Janice Frueh, Jayne Shaw, Nancy Archer, Jennifer Doherty, Pat Mahon and all Satellite District Guiders who participated in this exceptional, fun filled weekend.

Until the next lootin', sea rovers.... Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me....

Vicky Horton Satellite District Sr. Branch Guider