On Friday 25th October the Thursday and Friday 82nd Craigalmond Scouts joined forces to embark on an extra-large evening of Scouting fun and fundraising! The idea to undertake a sleep-out for charity came from a young member of the Scouts, because he had enjoyed the same event the year prior. The decision to raise money for charity whilst sleeping-out was an easy one – we had already spent an evening earlier in the term collecting and sorting food for Edinburgh Food Project, who run 7 foodbank centres across Edinburgh and offer debt, benefits & budgeting advice. It felt like a good way to support a cause known to us, whilst saying “thank you” to the Charity for having visited us. Special mention must go to Calypso here – she is the charity’s representative and led a very thought-provoking evening for our Scouts. 

First, we decided that if we were going to sleep outside, we would need a good feed. The Scouts started off preparing the food ready to be cooked on open fires: skewers with sausage & veg; flatbreads with herbs; and apples with sultanas & sugar.  All was cooked easily over big beds of embers. The cooking time of the flatbreads took a little perfecting, but we worked it out. Everyone ate well.  

After dinner, those staying the night started building their shelters. This was the most fun part with Scouts excitedly thinking of ways to build a structure sufficient for themselves and their buddy / buddies. After a good hour of building, reinforcing and adding extensions the Scouts were ready for a lovely cup of lentil soup.  

To burn-off excess energy we held a game of speedy charades. Then, just before being dismissed for bed we reflected on why we were sleeping-out and who it is benefitting. 

Soon after bedtime the rustle of sweetie wrappers could be heard…. Some fell asleep quickly and some had a long blether – the excitement of sleeping in a den, no doubt. We all dropped off eventually. Before we knew it, it was time to get up and tidy our slightly soggy makeshift beds away.  

Weather-wise we were very lucky: it was a calm, mild evening with one light rain shower. Near-perfect conditions.  

Overall, a lot of fun for all the Scouts and the Leaders had a good time too. 

Thanks go to various retailers at Craigleith retail park, in particular: Marks & Spencer, who passed on loads of cardboard to us. But the biggest thanks must go to the friends and families of the Scouts, who dug-deep to raise a whopping £1500 for Edinburgh Food Project! That seems a very worthwhile exchange for a decent night’s sleep!”