Summer camp
Kragenäs, Sweden - 23rd July - 2nd August 2006
Camp 2006 was successful and enjoyed by all who attended. It completed the work agreed prior to the event and gave good opportunities for tourism and travel before, during and afterwards. The site was excellent with superb natural facilities and ample resources in terms of buildings and tools available. The camp benefited from a sustained period of good weather and had just one morning of rain.
Work Report
Detailed planning of the work programme began in Autumn 2005 and took the form of an opening meeting in Manchester with a representative of the Kragenäs site committee visiting the city on business. This was followed by an email discussion which found that the site was in a process of consultation with all interested parties with the aim of achieving 
agreement on a strategic plan and the key projects which would help deliver that. The outcome of discussions (including those with SAGGA) were compiled and considered by the site committee in January 2006. The meeting agreed the strategy and proposed projects and gave a commitment to funding the work required.
Thus, a very favourable arrangement was arrived at where SAGGA were able to pick the major work tasks from an existing list of clearly defined projects, knowing that any choice would be fully compatible with the aims of the committee in developing the site, and fully supported with resources. Selection of projects was based on three considerations: the level of manpower SAGGA could provide on site, to see projects to completion; utilisation of the skills of SAGGA; and contribution to the programme opportunities available on site rather than purely environmental improvements.
Projects were chosen in time for the AGM in April 2006 with the selection being an obstacle course, campfire seating and campfire stage. These were all felt to be in accordance with the considerations above and in the case of the obstacle course had the additional benefit that effort could be scaled up or down without any difficulty depending upon final numbers for the camp.
Selected projects proved to be successful, were completed to the satisfaction of camp wardens and were enjoyed by participants. Work required to complete projects did in general equate to the work that participants were happy to put in; however some members would have welcomed additional light tasks.
|
Man Days |
|
Man Days |
On Site Design & Planning |
6 |
Campfire Circle and Stage |
11 |
Boulder Run |
3 |
Painting |
26 |
Stepping Stones |
3 |
Signs |
8 |
Five Bar Gate |
1 |
Marking Nature Trail |
2 |
Swinging Steps |
15 |
Translation of Camp Rules |
1 |
Zig-Zag Planks |
1 |
Guidelines for cleaning buildings |
1 |
Wobbly Chain Log |
3 |
Minor DIY Tasks |
2 |
Under Over |
6 |
|
|
Rope Bridge |
6 |
|
|
Clearing & Marking Route |
6 |
|
|
Total for Obstacle Course |
50 |
Other Projects |
51 |
|
|
Total Man Days |
101 |
The obstacle course was tested over the last few days of the camp by SAGGA members and a target time of 2 minutes 6 seconds was established for individuals completing the course against the clock. During testing, the course was completed by a nine year old SAGGA member and also the site wardens, one of whom completed the course wearing a skirt! The campfire circle was used for fires on two evenings and also hosted the Scouts’ & Guides’ Own.