Camp Chief: this person’s/these peoples’ names appear in the programme. They are in overall charge of the camp. If parents need to speak to anybody about the camp either during or after camp they should contact the camp chief whose details will be on the pre camps circular. Before camp, all communications should go through the Organiser.
Organiser: this person’s name appears in the programme. They will be the first line of contact for campers or their parent/carers after a camp place has been offered and accepted. They administer the camp before it starts ensuring paperwork is complete and, initially, dealing with any queries or problems. They do not necessarily attend the camp.
Escort Leader: this person is responsible for supervising the group of children in the Escort Party whether travelling by coach or train and they travel to the campsite with the group.
Group Chief: Each child will be in a group depending on their age (see details here) and there will be a number of staff assigned to each group. The whole group camps close together and activities like Hike are organised around the Group. The Group Chief is the member of staff who supervises the whole group of children and staff.
Caterer: The people filling this role are responsible for providing the food for all the campers and providing daily menus and recipes. They supervise the ‘kitchen’: they do not cook the meals. Clans prepare, cook, serve and clear up all the meals except on hike.
Mentor: This is a member of staff who volunteers to support a particular family whose children might not otherwise manage to get to camp. They help with organising paperwork and equipment and will camp with the child/children for at least the first time they camp.
Escort: this is how most children get to camp as a group – usually by coach from a pick up point in London and then at least one additional point (usually a motorway service station) on the way to the site.
Consent Forms: This is a very important form sent out by the organiser which must be completed by an adult with parental responsibility for the individual camper. Each camper must have one. Because a signed consent form is an absolute requirement set by FSC’s insurers, no child is permitted to camp unless the Organiser has received the completed form two weeks before camp starts.
Health and Return Journey: This form is the most up-to-date record of the camper’s state of health and parents/carers must list any allergies, medication or possible issues affecting their camper. It is also confirmation of parental expectation of the camper’s journey home plus confirmation of their contact details during camp. It is completed just before camp starts and is handed over to the Escort Leader or the Camp Chief.
Pre Camps Circular: This is written by the Camp Chief(s) and will be sent out by the Organiser about three weeks before camp is due to start. It describes the sort of camp the Camp Chief intends to run and includes detailed information about travel and the site. It also contains emergency contact details.
Arise: the camp chief arrives at each group site in the morning to make sure the children are up in time for breakfast.
Campfire: this is the time when the whole camp gathers to sing around a fire in the evening.
Clan: this is the name given to the group which cooks and clears up the meals – usually for a whole day. There are children from each age group in a clan and 4 or 5 staff also from different groups. Everyone gets one or 2 turns on clan depending on the length of the camp. There may be times during the camp when the clan meets for other activities.
Hike: A two to four-day walk, which takes place during the camp, Each group walks with their staff for a distance suitable for the age and strength of its members. During the hike the children usually plan, buy (with camp funds) and cook their own meals, with help when needed.
Lats: These are the camp toilets which are dug by the campers and for which privacy is provided by hessian screens around the area.
Lodge Common Council: the campers gather around a formal fire to reflect on the camp, recognising things which have gone well and suggesting changes in activities or emphasis for the following year.
Merry moot: the whole camp comes together to entertain each other with a mixture of songs, sketches and improvisations.
Rally/dining circle: this is where the camp gathers for whole camp meetings (rally) and for meals. It is a circle of logs big enough for the whole camp to sit round.
Rest hour: after lunch children return to their group sites. The youngest are accompanied by 2 or 3 members of an older group. They are encouraged to rest. This is also the chance for the staff to have a meeting to discuss issues they may have.
Table cloth: the centre of the rally circle is the ‘table cloth’ so during meals everyone is expected to walk around the edge of the circle rather than across it in case food is spilled.