Five hundred and fifty (550) Explorer Scouts, Network Scouts and Student Scout and Guide Organisation members, aged 14 to 25, were on the Island for an Easter Weekend full of adventure and fun.
The Scouts and Guides were on the Island for the 27th Isle of Wight Revolution activity camp which was first held in 1995. Participants at this year’s event came from as far afield as Liverpool, Wales and the Isle of Man.
550 participants
The 550 participants and their leaders arrived on Thursday 6th for the opening ceremony at 7pm.
On Friday 7th, Saturday 8th and Sunday 9thApril they ventured across the Island to take part in activities including Rib Rides from Yarmouth with Solent Rib Charter, fencing with West Wight Fencing Club at West Wight Sports Centre in Freshwater, Tree Climbing with Goodleaf in Ryde and laser combat with ‘Headhunters’ near Newport.
Animals the main theme
With the main theme being animals, all participants visited the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary at Yaverland where they made treats for and met the animals.
Participants also learnt to play the Ukelele and Line Dance, attended a Magic Workshop in Bembridge, bounced on large inflatables and visited a swimming pool during the weekend.
Themed evenings
The evenings were themed; Thursday – frozen planet; Friday – farm animals; Saturday – on safari; and Sunday – under the Sea. There were discos, a games night, and Island band ‘Blonde Bombshell’ provided live music. A games area and a cinema area in case of bad weather.
Harvey: Tried and tested formula of fun, friendship and activities
Carol Harvey, a member of the Revolution Management Team and Group Scout Leader at 1st Shanklin Scout Group, said,
“Our tried and tested formula of fun, friendship and activities across the weekend was another success for Island Scouting. Our activities take the visitors across the Isle of Wight introducing them to our fantastic Island home.
“We’re very grateful to the organisations that supported us and all the adult volunteers who make the weekend possible.
“We’re already looking forward to our 30th Anniversary camp in 2024.”
Feedback following the event
Comments from participants include:
“Thank you soooo very much yet again for the most awesome adventures for our young people. We go away having created more amaaaazing friends and memories. Roll on next year. You all rock.”
“Thank you Revolution Management Team for a fantastic weekend The Gosport Viking Explorer Scouts have had a great time! Hope to see you all next year!”
“13 years since we found this camp on the Isle of Wight, that looked a little different, we decided to bring our explorers to IOW Revolution, We’ve brought many explorers over the years one of those explorers has even made it onto the Revolution Management Team Thank you all for another well organised, fabulous camp Aquila have had a blast.”
“Thank you to all the leaders for taking the time to take our young people on camp, G loved it ‘best camp I’ve ever been on’ are her words.”
Simpson: Without support of adult volunteers none of this would be possible
Dave Simpson, County Commissioner for Isle of Wight Scouts said,
“This dedicated team of adult volunteers have once again produced a very exciting and entertaining event for young people from the Island and further afield.
“Scouting is the largest voluntary sector provider of activities for young people on the Isle of Wight, but without the support of adult volunteers none of this would be possible.
“We have uniformed and non-uniformed volunteer roles in Scout Groups and Units across the Island and welcome enquiries via the Website or our Facebook page.”
News shared by Andy on behalf of Isle of Wight Scouts. Ed
