Tent, renovations, group life: atmosphere of a scout camp at Fort de Seclin

14 scouts aged 14 to 17, from Bellaing in Valenciennes, lived 15 days of summer camps at Fort de Seclin. (©AS Hourdeaux/Northern Cross)

For 2 weeks this summer, from 1er as of August 14, 2022, 14 scouts and guides of France from Bellaing, in Valenciennes, experienced a summer camp at Fort de Seclin. On the program: tent, renovations and group life. Vibe.

They are between 14 and 17 years old. They have been scouts and guides in France, some since the age of 7, others for a year. They come from Bellaing, in Valenciennes. Together, they chose their summer camp: 15 days of renovation work at Fort de Seclin.

Atmosphere of the scout site at Fort de Seclin in August 2022.
Atmosphere of the scout site at Fort de Seclin in August 2022. (©AS Hourdeaux/Northern Cross)

A vote

The group put several summer projects to the vote, all based around a theme: the restoration of a strong element of heritage. “We chose the Fort de Seclin because one of the scouts knew the place” explain the young people. “We wanted to renovate a castle, chapels. Finally, we voted for the Fort! recalls Thomas.

This is not the first time they have come to Fort de Seclin. “We have already spent a weekend on site this year, to help with the work,” recalls Baptiste Lechantre, scout leader. The experience turned out to be interesting for the young people and for the owners of the Fort, the Bonifaces. But it was way too short.

The scouts also dug a huge hole in the cobblestones to install a water pipe, which will be useful at the sheepfold this winter.
The scouts also dug a huge hole in the cobblestones to install a water pipe, which will be useful at the sheepfold this winter. (©AS Hourdeaux/Northern Cross)

Renovate walls and stairs

So they came back for 14 days this summer. And it was by bicycle that they arrived, with a distance of… 57 km! On the spot, they had several missions: to renovate a staircase and sections of walls, to clean the cobblestones, and to dig a trench to bury a pipe there.

For this, the young people learned to make mortar and joints, and to handle the trowel and the trowel. “For the joints, we have improved since the beginning. See the first step, there are imperfections, but after, it’s better, “says Cyprien, the 2nd scout leader.

Lucie redoing the joints between the bricks
Lucie redoing the joints between the bricks. (©AS Hourdeaux/Northern Cross)

A 2 day trek

Scouting is also about adventure. “A trek was organised: for 2 days, with a map, we left independently in small groups, from the Fort to Santes. We have a budget, and we have to manage the races,” explains Lucie, a scout. In the evening, they slept with locals or in tents set up beforehand by the leaders, “because we did some scouting beforehand to find the resting place and we can be reached throughout the trek”, reassures Baptiste.

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The Scout Cross floats over the camp.
The Scout Cross floats over the camp. (©AS Hourdeaux/Northern Cross)

Festive evenings

More playful activities brought the young people together. In the evening, evening games took place. “We did a kind of role-playing game where everyone played a character, we had to unmask a spy,” explains Baptiste.

There were also evening debates, “because it is important at their age to form opinions, arguments, and to know how to discuss while respecting the opinion of others”. After the trek, each group told their adventure with sketches.

Everyday life

It was also necessary to ensure daily life. They learn to cook, do the shopping, the dishes, manage a schedule. “We set up the tents, the tables, the fire to cook together.

The Seclin scout group lent the ‘poles’, long wooden sticks, to build the tables,” recalls Baptiste. The chefs paid particular attention to the composition of the menus: “We were careful to make healthy meals, not just pasta every day. And also eat a little less meat,” says Baptiste.

Solar showers, with water recovery for neighboring plantations.
Solar showers, with water recovery for neighboring plantations. (©AS Hourdeaux/Northern Cross)

Solar showers

In terms of hygiene, the young people experienced something new: solar showers! “These are insulated pockets filled with water that you put in the sun. They have a small tap that hangs on a stick. the youngsters sit in a plastic tub and turn on the tap! said the scout leader. And in addition, the water is recycled to water the plantations.

And spirituality?

Is spirituality still present in Scouts? Of course, with the particularity that the movement, of Catholic obedience, is open to all beliefs.

Sometimes priests pass on summer camps. But that was not possible at Seclin. The chefs proposed a time for reflection on the theme of “thank you”, and led a sort of workshop to create a “blessing” to be said before each meal.

A scout insignia ceremony gave an opportunity to talk about “the promise”, the famous scout text, and what commitment represents.

Develop autonomy

All these activities are at the service of the “Scout philosophy”: developing the autonomy of young people, their sense of group work and their taste for commitment. “The goal is to allow them to realize their dreams, by helping them to carry out useful projects, where they surpass themselves”, confides Baptiste. Everyone has a responsibility: steward, nurse, communication manager…

We cook over a wood fire in the camp.
We cook over a wood fire in the camp. (©AS Hourdeaux/Northern Cross)

Words of young people

What do young people think? For Lucie, “scouting helps to mature”. Myrtille adds: “We learn to live with others, to make projects together”. Timea believes that she has developed “mentality and independence”. For Clara, “we learn to work, to help each other, it’s teamwork”.

The solidarity dimension is essential. One of their next projects will be to go abroad to support humanitarian action.

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Tent, renovations, group life: atmosphere of a scout camp at Fort de Seclin