Sheffield StinGS Freshers Camp 2022

Matt Fooks (Sheffield StinGS)

Monday 14th of November 2022

Sheffield StinGS freshers camp was from 21st-23rd October at Hesley Wood Campsite.

On the 21st-23rd October 2022, Sheffield StinGS held our first camp of the year, our Freshers Camp. This was at Hesley Wood Campsite in Chapeltown, just north of Sheffield.

Everybody arrived at the site at different times throughout the afternoon and evening, although the last group were held up by some train issues (thanks Northern Rail), but everyone made it in the end. We had use of the Royston building on site, which was useful given the weather for the weekend.

Friday dinner was fajitas, whilst the activities for the weekend were introduced. Then it was time to relax for the evening, with some time to chill, play a few games, and get to know everybody. The beds on site were comfortable which was a bonus.

Saturday morning, we were greeted with an excellent fry-up, and then it was off to work for some service. A combination of digging tree stumps, gathering and chopping wood, and setting up alter fires for lunch. The fires for lunch were questionable… but the pitta bread pizzas went down well in the end. 

This was followed by the Cube – a 3D maze which was tight (and hurt my knees) but was a lot of fun. We started with the lights on, before taking the challenge up a notch with a pitch-black maze. This was followed up with hide and seek, and as the seeker this was a LOT harder than it sounds. I was foiled by Jay who found an impossible hiding place.

Evening meal was a curry. There was a lot of curry. A LOT of curry. Very nice curry may I add. Then campfire, which was the highlight of the evening.

Sunday morning it rained heavily. We had another fantastic breakfast and went for archery and crate stack in the rain to finish off. It was good fun but very wet! A quick visit to the Hesley shop followed, then it was time to pack up and head off.

It was a really good weekend, and I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the StinGS committee (Ellie, Polly Ciara, Stephen, Jonah) as well as Conor, Jay and Dan for making this possible.