KILWINNING Scouts and their leaders have just returned from their nine day annual camp.

Forty-eight members of the company enjoyed splendid weather for the entirety of the visit to Larch Hill International Scout and Guide Centre outside Dublin.

During the trip they attended a local Sunday church service before spending a couple of hours at the largest aquatic centre in Europe on the flumes, surfing and the many other attractions before returning to the site for a camp fire in the evening.

Monday brought what for many was the highlight of the week with a chance to have a go at go-karting, either on the junior track for the younger members or the more challenging track for the older members/leaders which led to some fierce competition – a bit too fierce sometimes!

The older members set out late on Monday on a practice hike and overnight stay for their Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, while on the Tuesday the rest did a hike in the hills behind Dublin with fine views of the city and surrounding countryside.

In the evening Jungle Dave visited the site with a selection of reptiles and the more adventurous members were allowed to drape a snake around their neck or hold a tarantula in the palm of their hand or on their forehead, with a warning to keep their mouths firmly closed.

Other creatures Dave brought included a scorpion, lizards and small alligators.

On Wednesday, the older scouts went sailing while the rest had a chance to practice their climbing skills on the climbing wall.

In the afternoon each patrol had to plan, purchase the ingredients, prepare and serve a three course meal for their patrol and one leader.

Everyone survived this experience and the standard of catering was surprisingly good.

On the Thursday, everyone headed for a local swimming pool before visiting some shops and then returning to the site for some grass sledging with a difference in the evening.

Participants had to wear a helmet with a container of water on top and try to get to the bottom without spilling the water – which proved impossible!

Friday was spent on site doing orienteering and geocaching in the morning while in the afternoon some local Scouts explained the finer points of their national sport of hurling – know locally as ‘hurley’ – with members being given the chance to try striking the ball with the hurley stick with mixed success.

In the evening the whole site came together for a campfire with over 200 Scouts enjoying the sing song and sharing songs and sketches.

Saturday was the last full day in camp and already they were starting to take down some non-essential tents.

They visited Croke park the national home of Gaelic sports and the third largest stadium in Europe, behind the Nou Camp and Wembley.

This was very impressive and everyone agreed they could easily have spent longer here but time was marching on and they still had to visit Dublin city centre to see the sights, the street entertainers and do some shopping before the journey home.

Saturday evening was spent at the pictures and then everyone returned to the campsite to prepare for the long journey home on Sunday.

Scout camp is not a relaxing holiday but everyone agreed they had a great time in Dublin, helped in no small way by the fine weather we enjoyed.

They are all now eagerly looking forward to next year camp a Kandersteg in Switzerland.