Isle Of Wight Venture closed last Easter with promises for Isle Of Wight Venture ‘96. The planning for Isle Of Wight Venture was made last summer in order to promote this year’s event Mark and Michael took part in the ‘Cheshire Gathering’ and the ‘Mersey Moot’ last September.

Many units returned to Isle Of Wight Venture ‘96 this Easter, together with several new units.

The Units Which attended were;

This weekend was as successful as last year, if not more. Units arrived on site all day Thursday. The event was opened with an Opening Ceremony in which units presented their flags. This was followed in the evening by a Disco where old acquaintances were renewed and new ones made. This led on to a camp fire, with traditional camp fire songs and jokes.

Friday saw everyone touring the Island on a Treasure Hunt, stopping for lunch at Chale Scout H.Q. where a barbecue was laid on - unfortunately the burgers and sausages had be left behind - then Clay Pigeon Shooting at Shorwell, which was a great success. The treasure hunt took them right around the Island and was won by Wickham and Ruins. The evening’s entertainment, a disco, failed to turn up, but all was not lost, Bod (Martin Boardman from Apollo 7) helped to organise a silly games evening, for which he was awarded ‘Red Coat 96’ - this saw a giant size ‘Twister’, in which Michelle Fisher from Phoenix was awarded ‘Twisted Babe’, and other games in which the participants were awarded prizes. The great success of the evening was down to the willingness of all to take part, and is going to be a main feature in future camps. The evening concluded around the camp fire.

Saturday saw units at ‘Offshore Sports’, where Sancha Simpson-Davis from Wickham was awarded ‘Excessive Windsurfer’ for the time she stayed in the water. A large size Bouncy Castle also provided lots of fun on the site. A Barn Dance provided the fun for the evening and this again was followed by a camp fire.

Sunday saw activities on site, with Judo in the morning and aerobics in the afternoon. Table Tennis competition was won by Rob Crimes of Apollo 7, 6 - side football was won by Norfolk and Chance 2 from Apollo 7, the Tug of War by Ravens, Tile Painting by Rob Crimes from Apollo 7. There was also a Coconut Shy, Skittles, Fishing, Stocks, Face Painting, a large Bouncy Boxing/Gladiators, a Pillow fight Pole (thanks to Cedric for its construction) - not only did Cedric have a go on the Pillow fight Pole, but he also went in goal for ‘Da Management’ football team. Sunday evening saw one and all take part in the Karaoke, and the ‘Karaoke Howler’ award by unanimous decision went to Bod (Apollo 7) for signing all of the ‘Take That’ songs.

The closing ceremony saw the return of the flags, and the presentation of awards, our grateful thanks to Cedric Hart for all of his hard work support and support throughout the weekend. Unfortunately they all enjoyed themselves so much they want to come back again next year - and so on to the final camp fire. Not only did some see Dawn arrive, but some never left the camp fire for their tents that night.

.....and so onto departure day -

- So many thanks - So many friends - So much laughter - So much fun

My thanks to Mark, Michael and James without whose planning and hard work none of this could or would have happened, also Ian who helped throughout the weekend.

.....and so to ‘Isle Of Wight Venture ‘97’, where plans are already forming.

• Not forgetting Carol who coordinated the event and dealt with the main bulk of the administration work, Thanks.