The scouting camps of our Hufiec have been conducted in the wilderness tradition for years: there is no electricity, gas or hot running water, and meals also have to be prepared almost entirely independently.
We give young people the opportunity to express themselves and demonstrate their resourcefulness. Cut off from civilisation for four weeks—with radio, television, the press, pollution and the noise of the city—we live according to the rhythm of nature.
The games, activities, training and service duties are selected so that everyone can demonstrate their abilities and learn something.
The camps are located in a different area each year. It is always a forest by a lake or river, reasonably far from transport routes.
Because we organise small camps, we always leave the sites tidy and work for the benefit of the Forest Districts where we camp, so we have no problems obtaining permission to stay. This year we were in the following voivodeships: Koszalin Voivodeship – 1 camp – 1st Scout Teams named after G. Morcinek, led by Scoutmaster Hubert Bonin; Zielona Góra Voivodeship – 3 camps – 11th “Hubal” Scout Team, led by Scoutmaster Bogdan Kuliberda; the 2nd “Wigry” Scout Unit, led by Scoutmaster Zdzisław
Abramowicz; the “Lawina” Instructors’ Circle, led by Junior Scout Leader Joanna Jaśkowiak; Olsztyn Voivodeship – 3 sailing camps – the 5th L. Teliga Water Scout Team, led by Junior Scout Leaders Dariusz Rataj, Zdzisław Czyżowicz and Bogusław Solski.
The scouting camps lasted from 26 to 30 days, while the sailing camps lasted 18 days.
Participants paid from 1,500,000 to 2,400,000 for a sailing camp including a sailing licence course.
The low cost of our camps results from the fact that the instructional staff work entirely on a voluntary, unpaid basis. Workplaces help us—most notably BFFiA “Polfa” and “BONiTEX”—we reduce our own costs as much as possible, and parents also provide assistance. Most importantly, we have our own camping and sailing equipment, which, although not the newest, still serves us well thanks to the scouts’ work throughout the year.
A total of 280 children and young people took part in the camps, 80 fewer than planned; however, due to the lack of funding, we were unable to provide them with financial assistance. They were looked after by a total of 49 staff members.
The results of this year’s Campaign include obtaining a permanent sailing base in Siemiany on Lake Jeziorak near Iława, where we can store equipment and have our own designated area for camps.
A 40-member scouting delegation from the Hufiec took part in the official commemorations of the 55th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising, held in Warsaw from 30 July to 2 August 1994. We made a very positive impression there, assisting with events, taking part in and winning first place in a competition organised by the Warsaw District.
For the scouts, it was a powerful experience to see and speak with veterans, former combatants, politicians, the press and television—especially since they learned about the trip at the last moment, already on the bus.
We also supported TPD by renting out equipment free of charge and setting up a non-camp summer centre at the swimming pools.
A scouting camp is an inseparable element of a team’s work and activities throughout the year; therefore, the first September bivouacs, meetings and gatherings have already taken place, and our scouting activities continue without interruption.