The 3rd Father & Child Camp was organized again….this time in November. So far this camp was always planned for the month of June, but this year we felt we had to give the Mothers some rest from the rain and hold their camp in June and this one in November.

This year’s camp program was design on an Indian Theme. The camp started on Friday, and was officially opened at 1930hrs by Akela. 5 Tribes were formed including the leaders. These were: Hunkpapa, Shawnee, Kilkatta, Kanzee and Mohigans. Fathers and children were already settled in camps with their equipment. Dinner was served after the opening and duties were split between cubs. After all duties were ready, we started with our first crafts: the Rain Stick Instrument followed by Costume Jewellery made out of coloured pasta and feathers. The day ended successfully at 1130hrs and all cubs headed to their camps to sleep. Fathers remained lying around and socialising together until 0200am and then one by one started to head for the camp as well.
Activities on Saturday started at 0700am when the wake up whistle was blown. Everyone woke up slowly and flag break was done. Activities started with the Breakfast, followed by another craft. This time is was time for Totem Building. Every tribe had one part of the totem to build. Totem was made up of boxes and we used newspapers and tape to shape facial features to stand out. After newspapers were in place, kite paper was applied together with PVA glue to give life to the characters.
Lunch was served, duties were done and time for games. Every tribe was handed a stave with a jewel attached onto it. This stave was the sacred jewel of the tribe and each tribe had to make sure that it was safeguarded properly. Each tribe chose their own area and the staves were poked into the soil. Tribes had to take another tribe jewel and that was a sign of defeat. It was played with enthusiasm and laughter.

After the game, costume time was next. Each tribe had to design and prepare its’ own costume. This took a while but by 1800hrs, every tribe was wearing the costume and headband. It was a pleasant scene, seeing fathers putting on costumes and kids fixing their father’s headbands. Dinner was served without ado and as soon as the duties were finished, everyone followed in the circle for campfire to start. Campfire started at 2000hrs and immediately Indian shouting could be heard from everywhere. Songs, sounds and laughter were the highlight of a 3 hour campfire. Each tribe had to perform a dance including the leaders. The rain dance was performed and various other songs were sung. Each tribe competed in a tuck of war and Kilkatta were the winners all the time. Probably they ate stones for dinner as they couldn’t be beaten by anyone!!! As soon as the campfire was over, cubs were given some hot chocolate and they removed the costumes and off to bed. As always, it couldn’t be possible that no rain poured especially when we sang and dance for rain. But thank goodness nothing happened and everyone slept through the night without problems.

Sunday started a bit later. The wake up whistle was blown at 0800am and after Flag break, an English breakfast followed. All were instructed to start packing their equipment. At 1000am crafts (the Dream catcher) were again on schedule while some of the leaders struck the tents. Lunch time again and cleaning of the area was done quickly as everyone, including fathers giving a helping hand to prepare for leaving.

Well, it was a very very good weekend, with good company. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the camp. Thanks to everyone for making this weekend memorable.