Denmark 2011 Expedition Report

 

Lonsdale District Scouts

Authored by: Mark Walker Expedition Leader

                                             m.walker585@btinternet.com

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Denmark 2011 Expedition Report 

Mark Walker Expedition Leader 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Badge Designed by Stephen Sargent  

 

 

 

 

 

This report is intended to give an outline of our expedition and the financial statement to close out the expenditure for the expedition. Trip and Expedition has been used throughout this report as it started out as a basis to visit the Jamboree however turned out to be an expedition of discovery and cultural education in an outstanding country.

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Contents 

 

Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................... 4 

Training Weekend ........................................................................................................... 6 

Members of the Expedition ............................................................................................ 7 

Advance Team & Campsite ............................................................................................. 8 

Activities .......................................................................................................................... 9 

22nd World Scout Jamboree Sweden ............................................................................ 10 

Programme ................................................................................................................... 11 

Travel, Logistics and equipment .............................................................................. 11 

Driving in Denmark ....................................................................................................... 12 

First Aid and Incidents................................................................................................... 12 

Copenhagen .................................................................................................................. 13 

Legoland ........................................................................................................................ 14 

Tivilo Gardens ............................................................................................................. 15 

Catering ....................................................................................................................... 16 

Fundraising and Grants ................................................................................................. 17 

Financial Statements ..................................................................................................... 18 

Expedition Leaders Comments and Conclusions .......................................................... 19 

Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................... 20 

Websites ........................................................................................................................ 20 

 

 

 

 

 

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Introduction  

The international Experience

The aims

The aim of the trip was to provide an international experience for Scouts and Explorer Scouts, to see scouting in a different country while meeting new friends. The camp was split in to two parts to enable a full programme of adventurous activities and a Jamboree visit. The first part of the trip involved camping at an international Scout camp site in Kolding and then at the Danish Scout headquarters in Copenhagen.

The Objectives

To encourage the young people to develop further understanding of Scouting in a different country and contributing to their development in Scouting and life skills to enable them to progress in life as well as in Scouting through a good quality international experience. The objective tree below gives the basics of the trip.

Figure 1: Objective Tree

The objectives also meet the requirements of the balanced programme in so many ways including Global, Scoutcraft, adventure and creative expression.

International Experience (Denmark)

Further Leadership Skills for Adults

Leader confidence running international 

trips

Visit a Major Scouting Event

Provide fun Activities for Young people

Gaining confidence through international 

Scouting 

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The Methods

The methods of delivering this experience are set out below

Outdoor and adventure: we are camping at the Houens Odde Spejdercenter in Kolding. The campsite provides camping in an unique setting with forest, fjords and beeches. There are an extensive range of activities on offer including scouting skills through major pioneering projects,

Water activities and the usual and unusual land activities such as archery and axe throwing respectively. Team building, joint days with international Scouts and various types of Viking crafts.

Outdoor & Adventure

Activities Outdoors Visits Activities with Others

Global: Not only are we camping in Denmark and enjoying activities with Danish scouts we are visiting the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden which gives the young people the opportunity to meet Scouts from all over the world and experience the different cultures and the true value of the worldwide family of Scouting.

Global Activities Outdoors

Visits Activities with Others

Themes

Beliefs and Attitudes

Visit a different country provides different outlooks on life and the young people will see how other countries see Scouting and the chance for them to speak and enjoy activities with other nationalities. The campsite organise team building, campfires and joint activities with all groups on site. The visit to the Jamboree will also give the young people the chance to see different religions and beliefs from cultures around the world.

Beliefs and Attitudes

Visits Activities with Others Themes and reflections

In the lead up to the trip teambuilding and fundraising events also bring more of the balanced programme into the young people’s scouting.

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Training Weekend 

The training weekend will be held at the T.W. Helme Memorial Activity Centre Littledale 1st April to 3rd April and will incorporate a Danish Culture evening where parents will be invited. The training camp will be self funding and costs £20.00 to include the extra cost for food for the Cultural evening.

The campsite has been booked and the dates confirmed.

Programme for the weekend will be team building and getting to know you activities as wells as tent allocation for the two sections.

 

 

 

 

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Members of the Expedition  Leaders Carolyn Blyth Lyn McCann Kevin Greene Jackie Metcalfe Tracy Greene Adrian Moeckell Jamal Hamid Janet Rogerson Hugh Haynes Stuart Santon Alex Hockin Stephen Sargent Andrew Holland George Van Ark Tom Law Liz Walker Jane Lyde Mark Walker Martin Lyde

Explorer Scouts Clare Bristow Declan McMaster Tyler Bryce Jonathan Moeckell Chloe Davis Charlotte Park Daniel Daw Grant Prichard Thomas Daw Daniel Richardson Mathew Edge Katie Santon Ben Greene Jack Walker Connor Haynes James Walker Peter Law John Walker Steven Lyde Ben Walmsley

Scouts Edward Duffy Will Huntington Cameron Gallacher Rachel Johnstone Paul Gedge Eddie Letcher Finian Graham Rob Letcher Joshua Greathead David Lyde Edward Higgs Anna Marshall Marcus Hill James Marshall Matthew Humphries Tobi Mustapha Coralie Neil Sophie Santon Malcolm Neil Findlay Sargent Corey Percival Oliver Sherrington Samuel Robinson Joseph Walker Eric Roe Isaac Weber Eden Russell Joss Wilkinson

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Advance Team & Campsite To ensure that we had enough equipment and the camp was set up prior to the main contingent arriving we sent over an advance team. The team consisted of Kevin Greene, Hugh Haynes, Stuart Santon and Stephen Sargent. They left on Sunday 24th July enroute to Harwich and the 18 hour crossing to Esbjerg. However due to bad weather in the north sea they where delayed approximately 12 hours. Luckly once they arrived at Esbjerg they had short drive to Kolding and the Houens Odde international Scout Centre.

 

In this instance the advance team was vital to establish the camp for the main party arrival in the early hours of the Wednesday morning.

The camp site…. located at Houens Odde is situated in the centre of Denmark close to the city of Kolding. The campsite was our base for 7 day, we camped on the out edge of the site adjacent to German Scouts in the next field. Our location was approximately 1.5 miles for the activities which were based around the camp centre. At the start of the week this seemed a long way , however the walk had the forest to one side and the sea to the other which ensured it was a pleasant walk. The staff at the campsite are very helpful and really put on a fantastic week camp. One of the evening saw us take part in a wide game that used the forest and campsite area with some of our leaders dressing up in costumes made that day. We also had a joint campfire with lots of singing, sketches and games. We made friends with Danish, German and Dutch Scouts as well as the campsite staff. The Explorers also attended a Scout music festival onsite.

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Activities  The site had numerous activities available on site ranging from team building to axe throwing and water activities.

Axe Throwing and Archery We took part in the very old Viking tradition of axe throwing; set in the forest.... this was truly and exciting activity and one to be repeated. We also took part in the Archery again a great activity in a forest setting.

Teambuilding Crazy Activities to building on co- operation of each individual to work as a team, this took place around the campsite and included many wacky activities.

Night Game and Water Activities. The night game was really amazing with the staff making all the costumes, some of our leaders took character parts. The Water activities in abundance , kayaks, canoes, sail barge etc.

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Once we arrived at the Jamboree site we parked up in the coach park and registered. We a group of 67 it was going to be a long wait, however the organization was second to none. The operator scanned the first ticket and all 67 of us were registered. From the coach park we had a short bus ride down to the Jamboree site which was the 4th largest town in Sweden at the time. As soon as we arrived at the bus stop the jamboree contingent from Lonsdale was waiting for us…..lots of hugging and very excited young people. The site as can been seen from the pictures is truly enormous.

22nd World Scout Jamboree Sweden  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  The 22nd World Scout Jamboree took place

from 27 July to 7 August 2011 in

Kristianstad, Sweden. With over 40,000 Scouts from 146

countries in attendance, this was

the largest World Scout Jamboree in the history

of World Scouting. Source: WOSM

The 3rd of August we embarked on a day trip to the 22nd world scout jamboree in Sweden. This was the first time most of our contingent had seen a World Scout Jamboree and where thoroughly amazed at the scale of the event. This was a very memorable experience for all of the group.

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Programme 

The following shows the basic programme for the duration of the trip

Date Activity

26th July Fly to Copenhagen- Drive to

Kolding

27th July Joint Day activities Campsite BBQ

in the evening

28th July AXE Throwing and Team Building

29th July All day Water Activities

30th July Mosehusset and Climbing

31st July Free day relaxing and water sports

and Music festival for Explorers

1st August Day trip to Legoland

2nd

August Travel to Copenhagen City centre

3rd

August Day trip to 22nd

World Scout Jamboree

4th August Free day-Shopping and Tivilo

Gardens

5th August Fly to Manchester

Travel, Logistics and equipment UK travel consisted on a School bus hired from Battersby Coach hire to Manchester airport and return.

Flights Scandinavian airline direct to Copenhagen, then approximately 3 hour drive to Kolding arriving around 2am Wednesday morning. The Coach in Denmark was provided by Broennusms Turistfart with the same drive for each of our trips.

We took all basic camping equipment by ferry with the advanced team. The campsite had plenty of pioneering poles and fire wood.

 

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Driving in Denmark  From the port of Esbjerg the advanced team took a 45 mile journey to the campsite, basically at straight route from the port. The main party travel by coach from Copenhagen airport to the campsite near Kolding some 142 miles. We then return via coach and one of the vans to Copenhagen and the Danish Scout Centre. Traveling to Sweden to the Jamboree was approximately 95mile.

First Aid and Incidents   We had a number of minor first aid incidents generally from stings, minor cuts and bites, requiring the administration of antihistamine cream and tablets. One trip to Kolding hospital for a minor groin injury (precaution measure).There were no serious injuries and out first aiders coped managed to deal with everything that faced them. We had one lost passport between leaving the aircraft and passport control. This ended up with a trip to police station and the British Consulate for emergency travel documents. Both were very friendly and helpful.

 

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Copenhagen Copenhagen was our base for the remaining three days and are access to Sweden to attend the Jamboree. We stayed at the Danish Scout centre in the Holmen region of city. We basically took over the entire indoor accommodation with some sleeping in tents and the shelter in the grounds. This is a great place to explore the city, close to all amentias and public transport. The centre also had basic dinning rooms, good kitchens and chill out areas

 

 

The sleeping shelter and entrance to the Danish Scout Centre in Copenhagen

 

 

Plan of the Danish Scout centre with buildings, outdoor camping space and camp fire circle. A great base for exploring the city and beyond.

Close by to the Danish Scout centre is the free town of Christiania, which is self run and regulated. We walked through the area and it’s a real culture shock however well worth a visit. No pictures are allowed within the free town its self. The rest of Copenhagen is also a great place to visit with may attractions.

Legoland  Legoland Billund is approximately 1 hours drive from the campsite, we used our coach hire company for transport however public transport is available to Legoland.

Legoland do provide discounts for groups, however we were drawn to a 2 for 1 offer therefore saving around £900 on the original discounted ticket price. We also took the option of the food ticket person which gave each of us a meal, ice cream (giant), a soft drink, coffee etc. priced around £20 person which was very good value

 

 

 

 

Legoland was a great place for all the age ranges. Everybody really enjoyed the day out.

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Tivilo Gardens Our last full day in Denmark we spent in Copenhagen at the fantastic Tivoli gardens, were we split up in to small groups and sampled the delights of the many attractions. Again a group booking saved us some money and all had a great time.

 

Tivoli is many different things: Denmark's most

popular tourist attraction, a cultural institution, a bearer

of tradition, a national symbol, one of the most

visited parks in Europe, a limited company listed on the Copenhagen Stock

Exchange. Tivoli is one of the oldest existing leisure

gardens that arose in Europe in the 18th century. In fact, Tivoli provided Mr.

Walt Disney invaluable input and inspiration for the creation of the first Disney

park, "Disneyland" in California. And the famous

Danish fairy tale writer, Hans Christian Andersen,

was inspired by Tivoli when he wrote "The Nightingale".

 

High flying activities in the park as well as relaxing gardens and yet more large ice creams. Tivilo gardens is suitable for all age ranges and is a great day out.

 

  

Catering Catering for 67 people in a different country was going to be a big task and therefore we decided that non perishable items such a breakfast cereal, fruit juice biscuits etc would be purchased prior to leaving. Denmark allows these types of products to be taken into the country. On the first evening at a cost of around £5 per person we had a barbecue with the rest of the site. Some of our leaders helped with the cooking of chicken, sausages etc. We joined the Germans, Dutch and Danish Scouts.

 

 

 

 

 

The store on site had simple provisions and would order from the local supermarkets and food that you required. However we found this to be problematic in qualities and struggled with this on the first couple of days. We made a few trips to the local Aldi and filling station for basics. Initially we found this difficult working out the quantities after a couple of days we got this sorted as we found Metro a large cash and carry which provided everything we need in catering packs. You needed to be a member with a Danish VAT number and we were not. This was not a problem as they were very helpful and provided us with a guest membership (point to note the Danish people and very relaxed and helping).

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

In Copenhagen we used the Local Netto close to the Danish Scout centre, which had a good stock of food at reasonable prices.

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Fundraising and Grants  

We actively fundraised through the following events with the table below should the total funding obtained. Bag packing 26th March and 21st April 2011 Local three Peaks challenge 20th March 2011 The Way of the Roses Coast to Coast Bike ride 28th to 30th May 2011 Race Night 7th May 2011 Clothes collection raising money for us and helping disadvantage people and the environment. Pick a date in the diary

Grants

We obtained generous grants from the Elizabeth and Richard Wilson Charitable Trust and Leslie Sell charitable Trust. We applied to various other organizations without success.

Denmark 2011 Budget

Item Rate No.Total Cost

Camp fee 5.5 7 38.5 Hostel fee 12 3 36 Jamboree fee 6.5 1 6.5 Food 6.5 9 58.5 Insurance 14 1 14 Flights 150 1 150 Contingency 40 1 40 Transport Airport 6 1 6 Transport Denmark 25 3 75 424.5 Cost Per Person 400

Fundraising Difference in base fee 24.5 Garments (neckers polo shirts) 17 1 17 Kit bags 10 1 10 Fundraising per person 51.5 To keep costs low the overall cost per person is £400 plus each person has to fundraise to make up at least £51.50 to cover the cost of their garments and kit bags. However the difference in the base fee can be covered with the contingency if required.

 

In the end we decided not to go with the kit bags at £10 per head, however this was used for the extra activities while in Denmark

FUNDRAISING/ GRANTS/ DONATIONS Booths Bag Pack £608.00Sainsbury Back pack £588.00Carboot £53.56Carboot £90.00Leslie Sell £400.00Elizabeth & Richard Wilson £2,760.00Rylands Car Boot £235.66Clothes1 £555.00Clothes2 £330.00Bike Ride £718.00Donation £10.00Race Night £816.00Dairies £1,859.00Quiz £39.00other £111.30Total £9,173.52

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Financial Statements    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: training weekend divided by full number in group however not everyone attended. Training weekend not included in £424.50 as this was self funding with some surplus. The large variance per

 

Description PER HEAD

Budget

PER HEAD Actual

Variance GROUP

Advance Team Costs 34.47 2309.74

Flights 150.00 143.26 -6.74 9598.40

Europe Insurance 14.00 14.00 0.00 1036.00

Accommodation 74.50 82.16 7.66 5504.86

Transport 81.00 66.17 -14.83 4433.51

Tolls-Denmark 0.00 0.78 0.78 52.55

Coach Drivers tip 0.00 0.72 0.72 48.00

Food 58.50 57.77 0.73 3919.50

Equipment 0.00 1.32 1.32 88.22

Jamboree Cost 6.50 9.10 2.60 609.37

Admin, Postage, Stationary, Phone Costs

0.00 3.30 3.03 220.96

Garments 0.00 36.94 36.94 2474.69

Union Flag Badge 0.00 0.60 0.60 40.00

Fundraising out lay 0.00 9.22 9.22 617.97

Final Report 0.00 0.90 0.90 60.00

Final Presentation/meal 0.00 5.94 5.94 397.69

Legoland trip 0.00 21.25 21.25 1423.80

Tivilo Gardens 22.11 22.11 1481.17

Training Weekend 20 8.27 -11.73 554.12

Misc including insurance claims etc 1399.78

Grand total 424.50 534.05 109.55 36,270.33

Income

Base Costs 27,450.00

Fundraising 51.50 136.92 85.42 9,173.52

Garments extra Cost 1,642.50

Training Weekend 1,165.00

MISC-extra insurance, bank interest etc

946.98

Total 40,378.00

Remaining in Fund 4,107.67

Partcipitents refund 3,280.00

Axes for Littledale 220.00

Remaining to International Fund 607.67

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person is due to the inclusion of the trips to Legoland and Tivilo Gardens, not included in the original costs. As can be seen from the financial statement we made a surplus on the trip which wasn’t the intention. This was mainly due to late fundraising events and cutting costs while in country, therefore we have returned some of the surplus to the Participants based on fundraising events attended. A donation to Littledale campsite for the purchase of Axe’s for the new Axe throwing range so all Scouts in the District and beyond can have a go at this exciting ancient sport. The remaining money has been put into the Districts international fund to support individuals on further adventures abroad.

Expedition Leaders Comments and Conclusions We only had one training weekend which in hind sight wasn’t enough and would recommend at least two weekends and training day. However this said most of the group seemed to gel particular well.

The advance team worked particularly well in setting up camp for our arrival in the early hours of Wednesday morning. They also had a good insight into the local area before the main party arrived.

We couldn’t have picked a better campsite for its facilities, location and the friendliness of the staff on site and in Denmark generally. The coach travel to and from the site and the day trips, provided by Broennums Turisfart and their driver Michael was outstanding. Very good quality coaches and a pleasant and helpful driver who really got into the Scouting sprit.

The preparation beforehand and the copies documentation we carried really ensured that we were well prepared for any eventuality in country.

We also took part in an amazing wide game in the woodlands and buildings of the campsite, the effort the staff put in to making the costumes and running the wide game in the dark of night a fantastic.

In general their behavior was excellent and represented Lonsdale, West Lancs and UK impeccably.

We also had three insurance claims on return which were dealt with swiftly by Unity. In conclusion the trip was very successful with everyone taking away memories and experiences to last a life time.

For some, especially the younger members this was an expedition into the unknown and they coped really well. Making new friends, learning new skills and becoming more independent.

The campsite at Houens Odde was a fantastic place with woodland walks and shallow waters and environmental friendly building. The activity instructor were both relaxed and experienced in their instruction to young people. This is a campsite that would offer different experience however many times you visited the site. It would make an ideal site for planned District trips on a regular basis and would be suited to a Scouts first trip abroad before going on to more challenging trips with the Explorer Section. Say in that the Explorers had a great time with the Scout Music festival and in general with all the other activities and trips.

The Danish Scout Centre in Copenhagen also provided a great base to explore the city and attend the Jamboree in Sweden. The centre has a number of buildings and room sizes which would particular suit smaller trips and even Troop holidays whether for a long weekend or longer.

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There are far too many experience and photos to put in this report, however I hope this gives a good overview of our expedition to Denmark and Sweden.

This trip was really an expedition of discovery, learning and friendship and showed the young people of Lonsdale International Scouting on a grand scale.

Acknowledgements   

The expedition is grateful to the following for financially supporting the trip to Denmark.

Elizabeth and Richard Wilson Charitable Fund Leslie Sell Charitable Trust

I would also like to acknowledge the outstanding contribution from Carolyn Blyth in the administration of the paperwork and payments and to Jane Lyde for administering the First Aid throughout the trip and the advanced team of Kevin, Stuart, Hugh and Stephen.

I would also like to say a big thank you to Liz Walker (my wife) for her help and support throughout the organizing and running of this trip.

However the trip wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of all the leaders and of the participants, so a big thank you to you all.

Thank you is due to everyone who donated or contributed to the fundraising.

  Websites 

Scout Centre Copenhagen www.spejdercenterholmen.dk

Scout Campsite Kolding www.spejdernet.dk/HouensOdde.aspx

Coach Company www.broennums-turistfart.dk/

Tivilo Gardens www.tivoli.dk/

Legoland www.legoland.dk/en