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I'm sure I've already moaned about this before somewhere so bear with me!!!!!

L is off to Guide camp next Friday. Its a biggie - happens every five years and is an international event attended by around 6000 scouts and guides and we are fortunate that it happens right on our doorstep at Chatsworth.

They were given the kit list about 6 weeks ago which cleary said jeans and shorts (no mention of length of shorts). At guides on Wednesday they announced that they would prefer them to wear no jeans - just trousers or leggings and that shorts should be knee length (does anyone know any 13 year old girls that wear knee length shorts????) or if they are short to wear leggings underneath them.

L has only one pair of decent leggings and two pairs of joggers - all the rest are jeans. All her shorts are short shorts. So off to Sainsburys yesterday where I managed to buy 6 pairs of black leggings - that'll have to do her.

I'm going through the kit list today starting to sort things out to give me chance to go and buy stuff should I need to. I've already bought new waterproof trousers and jacket, welly socks, tarpaulin to wrap all her bedding up in, fortunately we had a roll mat and sleeping bag so haven't had to pay out for those. She needs plastic plates (we have them), plastic bowls (we have them) plastic mugs (we don't have them) and knives, forks and spoons all with her name written on them (have you tried writing someones name on a knife!!), a camera (we dont possess a camera as we all use our mobile phones so I have to go and buy some disposable ones - no mobile phones allowed).

The list is endless!!!!

I I know! I've been through this with both of the two youngest, more Harry really as he loves all these outdoorsy type things I used nail varnish to write on the bottom of his plastic crockery Not exactly Bear Grylls I know, but very 'me' It wouldn't have worked for a knife though

I'll have all this again next Spring as H is going to the Cairngorms on a kayaking and climbing jolly! To do with his D of E I think. No doubt tons of kit to buy and mark

I remember going through this with Miss Osc, although I don't think the kit list was so extensive and they definitely wore jeans. I was going to suggest nail varnish but Kaz got there before me! An indelible ink marker might do the cutlery. Miss Osc was at an international jamboree here and the weather was awful - she came home filthy and exhausted but had a wonderful time I think she was a bit older than 13 though.

Mine allways came back smelling of bonfires and I swear they never washed

They've already been told that they probably won't shower whilst they are there as the showers are usually horrible. She goes next Friday for 8 nights - she'll pong when she comes back. We've already decided that the first thing we will do when she arrives home on the Saturday night is de-nit her!!!!!

It does look amazing. The list of activities is fantastic (although is moaning that she can't have a go on a Segway as they have to be 14) - I'm very envious.

http://www.peakcamp.org.uk/activities.html

We get to go and visit her on the Tuesday evening (another reason that I'm pleased its so close to us) and have a good look around.

It wasn't cheap - around £350 for the 8 nights but I suppose it does include all food and all activities.

My 3 all went on various summer camps and loved them.

They came home stinky filthy (and why, even though I'd packed 6 pairs of socks were 2 pairs only ever worn?!)

I think it does them the world of good to meet up with lots of different children, sometimes from very different lifestyles and can really broaden their horizon and outlook on life.

I used to love going to outward bound things when I was at school - yomping up hills, sailing, kayaking, abseiling...oh, the memories.

Usually the soap was still in its packet
First thing mine did was upstairs have a shower and sleep for the rest of the weekend

Oh yes, dry face flannels, pristine soap, unused toothbrushes, unworn socks and undies!

i'm curious; why no jeans? What is the reasoning for that?

Maybe because they take so long to dry out