camden & hackney woodcraft folk’s summer camp newspaper ... · camden & hackney woodcraft...

Camden & Hackney Woodcraft Folk’s Summer camp newspaper

OTTER EXPRESSLittle

OFF TO A ROUSING STARTAround 500 woodies

from across the capital, and some

friends from Europe came together for the opening ceremony of the 2014 London Woodcra� Camp.

Songs Nadine introduced the di�erent groups in a lively style, with the Little Otters doing their rendition of “Down by the Riveerside”.

Other Groups Lone Wolf “mighty Song

of Peace, Redwing sung “Nobody Like Us…”, and Tomahwkes gave us an inspirational Italian leason as to how to eat Banannas!

Wodbine contributed with a touching poem. �ere was also a song from our French brothers abd sisters, whilst one of two German delegations sung a somg they wrote that today.

Fab foodRed Clan russled up a

delicious vegitarian Pasatta Pasta dish with cheesey cheese and Salad, with a delcate balsamic vinegarrette. A�er the ceremony there was some yummy cake and hot chocolate.

’OT, ’OT, ’OT—TENTS UP IN A JIFFY n Reporting by Maime

In sweltering heat, heroic Camden and Hackney woodies got the tents up, remembering to drink plenty of water.

Some walked the 2.5 miles from Botley station, and arrived at the wooded campsite.

Woodies from both districts introduced themselves at the Little Otter opening circle, and

were assigned clans. Brynmor of Blue Clan,

described the history of Little Otter, “It was the folkname of Leslie Paul the founder of Woodcraft Folk, he told the circle.

Campers were anticipating a fun filled week.

“I am mightily impressed at this campsite and its facilities and can’t wait for the fun to unfold,” said Milo, of Red Clan.

Otter factsOtters are inquisitive, playful and intelligent, often appearing to take childlike enjoyment in sliding around on muddy banks or in snow.

They are semi-aquatic mammals and live in holts around water edges. They are fast, agile swimmers. Bubbles of air trapped in their fur give them a silvery appearance underwater.

Scientific name: Lutra lutra

Common names: Common otter, Eurasian otter, Eurasian river otter, European otter, Old world otter

Otter is a common name for a carnivorous mammal in subfamily Lutrinae. The 13 otter species are all semiaquatic or aquatic, with diets based on fish and invertebrates. Lutrinae is a branch of the weasel family Mustelidae, which also includes weasels, martens, minks, polecats, Eurasian and American badgers, honey badgers and wolverines.n by Ed

Not so cute… Arrrgh!

Opening circle included songs and silliness…

Issue #01 | Sunday 27 July, 2014 | Want to write an article? Got a funny joke? Contact Simon F, Adam or Mathew

JOKE OF THE DAY Why was the broom late for breakfast?Because he over-swept!n by Gloria C

CHALLENGE:How many anagrams of ‘tent peg’ can you come up with? ‘Pent teg’, doesn’t count!

Camden & Hackney Woodcraft Folk’s summer camp newspaper

OTTER EXPRESSLittle

The �rst full day of camp saw intrepid

woodchips, el�ns and pioneers, venturers and even a camp chief tackle an array of obstacles from the fairly easy to the otterly terrifying ‘�ying otter’ zip wire.

“It was easy but good,” said Mia.

Woodies co-operated to help each other over a tall wooden wall and balance

their way precariously across a bouncy tight-rope.

�e girls of tents three and �ve Rosa, Laura, Sky and Maimie said it was fun, “we liked the

zip wire. It was cool!”.Rudy was not his usual gung-ho self. “I didn’t

know if that zip-wire was safe”.

�ere was a bit of a wait to

get on it. “Too many people

at a time,” said Nemi.

Sundays circle was nearly spherical?spherical?

What a tangled web we wea e e fins and young pioneers e perienced the asua t course

Issue #02 | onday u y, | ant to write an artic e? ot a funny o e? Contact Simon , dam or atthew

JOKE OF THE DAY What do you call

a woodpecker with no beak?

A Headbangern y onathan

epotism d?

with no beak?

he wide game produced its usua amount of fun fi ed carnage ‘ i ie’ ui ding

id you spot yesterday’s de i erate mista es?

Quattro formaggioAn otterly hillarious quartet of Cheesey jokes:

hat ind of cheese do you use to hide a horse? Marscapone (mask a pony)

hat cheese do you use to ure a ear from a tree? Camenbert (come on bear!)

What did the cheese say to the mirror? Halloumi (hellooo me!)

id you hear a out the e p osion at the cheese factory? All that was left was debris (the brie!)

ASSAULT ON THE SENSES

i ies, ushcraft, and untingA sneak preview of activities planned for later today

It’s all about the ‘b’s on Monday. Fancy yourself as a budding Steve Backshall?

Find out how to survive in the wild using nature and living on

your wits. Learn to build your own shelter and sleep overnight in a bivouac. There will also be lots of making to do. Boats and bunting will feature.

Carto

on: J

oach

im

WE MADE IT!!


OTTER EXPRESSLittle

“Woodies went back to their roots with a day of bushcra� that founder Leslie Paul would have been proud of.

Woodies learned how to make �res, whittle knives and other skills key to survival.

“We made a knife and lit �res and it was really fun,” said two budding buschcra�ers Lyra and Amit.

It was a day learning essentials for survival in the wild including building a �re from scratch.

“It was amazing when they used two bits of metal to

make sparks,” said Jonathan.El�ns and some fearless

woodchips also learned how to move across a forest �oor

as quietly as a cunning fox.

As the Otter Express went to press, pioneers and venturers and some adults were heading o� for a

damp but character building night in the forest.

Meanwhile el�ns trekked across the Lone Wolf �eld to a giant teepee for a night of adventure.

Read Wednesday’s paper for �rst-hand accounts of life on the wild side.

Issue #03 | Tuesday 29 July, 2014 | Want to write an article? Got a funny joke? Contact Simon F, Adam or Matthew

Patchworking, and fabric-craft

Woodchip wonderland

Construction of the ‘ itt e tter’ gate

BUSHCRAFT SET MINDS ALIGHT

Wapenshaw, full and half

Good tent

Bad tent

Tie up guy ropes to make the inside

bigger and water ow o

oat ui ding’s a ‘wright’


OTTER EXPRESSOTTER EXPRESSOTTER EXPRESSOTTER EXPRESSOTTER EXPRESSOTTER EXPRESSOTTER EXPRESSOTTER EXPRESSOTTER EXPRESSOTTER EXPRESSOTTER EXPRESSOTTER EXPRESSOTTER EXPRESSOTTER EXPRESSOTTER EXPRESSDON’T FORGET YOUR SECRET FRIEND

Blood is thicker than ketchupFirst there was mad cow disease, then there were horse burgers, now, according to some angr elfins there is

lood in ketchup lfins and pioneers made placards denouncing the disgraceful practice of using blood in their favourite condiment to save money. Tomato prices in Hampshire have gone through the roof due to a drought, claimed a sauce (sic).

Not all campers were convinced by the theory that the sauce had been tampered with. “It’s not made of blood, it’s made of tomatoes,” said woodchip Leo.n Reporting by Stella

Slip, slop, slap It’s going to be a scorcher! Nearly as hot as Torremolinos on Tuesday’s seaside outing…

But are you sun-aware?Follow what the Aussies say: Slip on a T-shirt, slop on the sun cream, and slap on a hat, and have a safe time at the beach.

Protesters see red! You get something to

make and you’re proud of it

SEA SIDE FUN


OTTER EXPRESSLittle

On Tuesday morning, venturers, pioneers, el�ns and even wood chips crammed themselves into two minibuses and a

coach for a trip to the seaside. �e walk that followed was not very popular.

“We shouldn’t have do a hike on Friday, we’ve already done one,” said pioneer Maimie. When they arrived at the beach, many children ran into the sea. “It was freezing at �rst, then it got kind of numb,” said pioneer Laura. Children �oated the boats they made on Monday, �ew

kites, sunbathed and played with the sand.” Further down the beach, venturers headed to the shops and got some sweets and ended their day at the beach with an amazing aquatic dance routine.

overall the day was a roaring success according to happy campers. “Today it was cool,” said woodchip Nina. �e day �nished with ice lollies and, a�er a further short walk, delicious �sh and chips on the beach. n By Esther

Issue #04 | Wednesday 30 July, 2014 | Want to write an article? Got a funny joke? Contact Simon F, Adam or Matthew

Pirate Tom, aaaargh! Sporting eyewound following Bivvie misadventure

hate er oats your boat

WOODCRAFT SOAK

JOKE OF THE DAYWhat did the sea say to the boat?Nothing, it just waved.

n by Sadie

oat fi ing, important work

oat fi ing,

Vote for your favourite boy band? a) The Lollies b) Boyz-Abound

SPECIAL LATE EDITION

I want to be I want to be a chimpanzee

Today. Doing the things they dooooooooooooo

Swinging through the trees, Doin what I want to do because IIIII am a Chimpanzee yer a chimpanzee

I want to be a bird todayDoing the things they do

do do doooooooooFlying up so high seeing

the people below. Doing the things a bird would foo because IIIII am a bird. n By Skye

Winning doesnt matter, but… A Whole L’Otter Fun, were magnanimous in their victory on Tuesday night at the London Inter District Music Quiz. �eir success showed all the woodcra� virtues of, teamwork, unity, friendship and sharing, as well as some less wellknown qualities, not mentioned in the woodcra� creed.

Honourable mention should also go to the Otterly Fabulous team who came in a close third, a�er a thrilling and nailbiting �nal round.

Toilet trap terrifies two Two skinny girls where trapped on Tuesday in the girls toilets. They were eventually released from their incarceration behind a ‘sticky door’, by a “Good

Samaritan”, who didn’t stick around, unlike the door!

The girls were happy to be released, and can report that the toilets were clean and otherwise operating correctly.

ACTIVE OTTERS


OTTER EXPRESSLittle

Woodchip, el�ns and pioneers, whizzed around the campsite

on Wednesday taking part in acivities in other villages.

Challenges included, obstacle courses, bread making, �nger knitting, racing origami boats and slipping and sliding down a waterslide!

Strike a pose“Take a run-up, throw yourself into a roll, and strike a relaxed pose,” a wet, soapy Teddington Camp Chief Ashley said.

�e waterslide was a great success, cooling kids down on a hot sunny day.

�e �rst stop for the Little Otter kids on their

journey was bread making at the Red Arrow village. Steve the helper said “it’s good fun, and you get something to eat at the end.”

�e children had great fun and enjoyed the warm bread and jam, on the walk to the next activity. n Natalie and Nancy

Issue #05 | Thursday 31 July, 2014 | Want to write an article? Got a funny joke? Contact Simon F, Adam or Matthew

JOKE OF THE DAYWhy did the skeleton go to the disco alone? Because he had nobody to go with n by Asher

THE VENTURER EDITION

Editorial teamThe Venturers: Nancy, Natalie, Stella, Mia, Rico, Jamie, Santi, Jack

The timelord

a ing ‘dampers’ read on a stic on an open fire

Woodchips made tents for futuristic camping

With it being so hot, campers took the oportunity for a little down-time

WOODIES VENTURE THROUGH TIMEA need for creed — past, present and futureThe Little Otter campers embarked on a time travelling wide game to find the missing pieces of the woodcraft creed.

They were led by a whacky timelord with questionable dress sense.

After a few ‘wise’ words, off he took them through the time portal.

Our campers first encountered the past: strict rules and no equality, not just between the sexes, but for children too.

Girls were encouraged to be ladylike, and swear by the acronym “T.O.P.S.”: Tidyness, Obedience, Punctuality, and Smartness. Rosa said “It was cool, but the teachers were too bossy.”

Boys were taught how to march and forced to make

envelopes in a factory, “I didn’t like the work, and it was too hot,” said Jonathan adamantly.

Our woodies were then whisked away by the mysterious timelord, towards the peacful crescent. The mood was instantly calmer, as the children frollicked into The woods of equality. There they drew pictures of plants, and discussed equality in the present day.

The final task was to how we may camp in the future.n by Mia and Stella

Moth magic

After breakfast on Thursday campers looked at the moth trap. There were more than 20 different species.

Under Paul’s guidance children got the moths from the trap and put them on their hands. Moths like licked fingers There were some amazing ones with staggering details if you looked closely.

BubblesChildren made loops with string to dip into soapy water to make huge humungous bubbles.

BeansGwillam and co

roasted raw coffee eans on the fire while adults did a large amount of

grinding.

SkitsCampers where entertained after our gourmet banquette by a series of comic skits and songs. See Saturday’s Review Section.

Birthday ELLA celebrates her sixth

irthda on rida turning her from ‘ikle woodchip into ull time lfin an happy returns and happ irthda

SPORTS REPORTTUG-O-WARIn a thrilling first round encounter, pioneers took on the elfins, for an easy victory to take them through to the next round.

In a surprise win of numbers over power, the elfins went on to an historic victory in this inaugural “Camping like it’s 1925”, sports event.

A masterclass of ‘tug’ was dished out to the Blue/Green/Red coalition, by the Orange/Purple/Yellow team — a convincing victory.

In the much awaited final tug of the day, children gave the adults a good thrashing.

They pulled thier parents apart to take the coverted title of … Champions!


OTTER EXPRESSLittle

It was a slippery a�ernoon for the Little Otters. �ey slipped and slid down a

long black plastic sheet that was covered in water and washing-up liquid.

�is made them speed down the �eld. �ey could choose to go on their front or on their knees.

“It was fun, excigting, daunting, soapy and I really enjoyed it,” said Laura. “Except for when I got soap in my mouth!”

�e best technique was to give a long, fast run-up and slide onto the knees, then �ip

onto the belly for maximum distance.

Graham was the sliding champion of the adults. “It was the best fun of the whole week, and I was determined to get right to end (of the slide)”, he said.

Issue #06 | Friday 1 August, 2014 | Want to write an article? Got a funny joke? Contact Simon F, Adam or Matthew

JOKE OF THE DAYWhat do baby Chimps sleep in? An Apiaryn by Rosa

YOUNG REPORTERS EDITION

SLIPPIN’ AN’ A SLIDIN’

Not only did our intrepid correspondents report from the activities, they also tested them out? (see insert)

Is it a penguin, is it a Skidoo? — o it’s uper raha

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