April 2010 - The Boys' Brigade

Ever since the 1st Glasgow first went
to camp at Tighnabruiach in 1886,
boys in BB Companies all over
the world have been asking their leaders
where their next camp is going to be. BB
Camp is often rightly recognised as the
highlight of the BB year.
The BB is proud that our Founder had the
inspiration to start organising residential
experiences for young people and in doing so
set the trend for all other youth organisations.
But did you know that when William Smith
first proposed the idea parents were
aghast at the thought that their children
would be sleeping in tents?! Today we
think nothing of it and indeed research carried
out by the Brigade indicates that camps and
other residential events are some of our most
popular activities.
Recent statistics at HQ indicate that currently
only around one third of companies went to
camp or had a residential experience last year.
As we approach the 125th Anniversary of
the first BB camp it would be good if we
could ensure that all of our young people
in the Juniors, Company Section and
Seniors have the opportunity to experience
a residential through membership of BB.
Today BB camps take many forms; some
people still follow the traditional model and
take over a field for a week. Others use outdoor
centres or youth hostels, while some decide to
venture further afield and take their members
overseas. In the last few years groups have
visited Austria, America, Jamaica and France,
to name just a few places on the globe.
We do appreciate that many Companies
may not have sufficient who that are able
to lead a camp for a week, but even a
weekend camp is great fun and would
be greatly appreciated by your members.
Many Battalions now take the lead and
organise Battalion camps too, especially to
support Companies who couldn’t go alone.
Battalions and BB HQ can arrange
appropriate training on camp and holiday
leadership, and do remember to fill in your
camp notification form before you go!
So are you going to camp this year? If not
perhaps you might want to look at a joint
venture with other groups near you. More
importantly, will you be able to meet this
challenge and see if you can arrange a
camp in 2011 – the 125th Anniversary of
BB Camping? The Brigade Executive will
be giving consideration how to mark this
milestone anniversary.
April 2010 The Boys’ Brigade Gazette 53