For our winter camp, we had originally planned to hold a joint camp with the Dubai/Abu Dhabi BGA groups. Unfortunately this fell through due to the local holidays not being compatible (hopefully next time). So between the 7th and 11th December 2008, fifty Explorers, Scouts, Cubs, leaders and parent helpers of the 1st Oman Scout Group held a winter camp at Saham Scout Camp (about 2 hours drive north of Muscat, close to Sohar).
 Saham Scout camp is owned by the Omani Association for Scouts and Guides, covering some 4/ 5 acres, enclosed by high walls and 24/7 security. The toilets/showers needed several hours work by the advance party of Explorers/leaders to make them fit for purpose! There was also running water and electricity/lighting, so we had quite a luxurious site! The temperature at this time of year is perfect. A cool 23C during the day, dropping to about 14C in the evening. We were concerned about rain, as it had been raining a few days before we left (apparently the Dubai Camp we missed got lots of rain!). Luckily we didn’t see a drop throughout!
Over the last two years, we have been building “bridges” with the Omani Scout Association. The Omani Scouts have been very kind and offered us the use of any of their facilities in the country. After discussing our cancelled joint camp dilemma with them, they suggested we use one of their campsites instead and were extremely pleased when we decided to use their Saham Scout Camp Site. We were even provided with an Omani liaision Scout leader (Shuwain), who assisted us with many of the trips and events.
Day 1 – Monday 8th
 We hired 2 x 18 seat coaches for the duration of the camp, which worked very well. After setting up camp, a quick game of football, flag up and briefing, we went straight into Pioneering projects in patrols (6 patrols). Later in the afternoon, we covered some of the Outdoor Challenge/Outdoor Challenge Plus requirements (First Aid, Axe/Saw/Knife safety, Camp Gadget making, etc). After this, each patrol had about an hour to prepare at least two skits for the campfire later.
Before dark, each patrol was given a task of preparing/cooking a 3-course meal using different types of personal stove (Trangias/gas-stoves/wood burners/Hexamine stoves). After clearing up, we had a wide game (Capture the Flag), which was great fun. Later, we had a campfire where we invested two new Explorer Scouts (Young Leaders), followed by some excellent skits, hot chocolate/cake and some great jokes. Whilst the Cubs and Younger Scouts got ready for bed in their tents, the Outdoor Challenge Plus Scouts were given some plastic sheeting and pioneering poles and told to make themselves a bivouac to sleep in! Although they were very close to the main camping area, they convinced themselves that there would be wild animals attacking them in the night! They were still all there fast asleep when we woke the camp at 6am!
Day 2 – Tuesday 9th (Islamic Eid al Adha holiday)
 After breakfast, flag-up and inspection, we went to visit the local city of Sohar on our coaches. This day was the Islamic “Eid al Adha” festival (meaning Festival of the Slaughter). On the way to Sohar, we passed through the suburbs and saw literally hundreds of just-slaughtered goats/sheep/cows hanging from trees being gutted ready for the family feasts later on (you can imagine the comments from the Scouts!). We stopped at Sohar Port for a photo shoot and then our next destination was Sohar Fort and Museum where Shuwain had arranged a guided tour for us. Unfortunately, the Wali (Arabic for Mayor) of Sohar had other plans for the fort and had taken the whole place over for a civic breakfast function. The armed guards at the fort turned us away, so we climbed back onto the coaches and spent an hour playing some wide games at Sohar Park. We informed Shuwain of the problem and while we were still at the park, some phone calls to high places in Oman were taking place. To cut a long story short, the Scout Group were invited back immediately to Sohar Fort to accept some traditional Arabic hospitality from the Wali of Sohar and other dignitaries in his huge marquee tent (this is a huge honour for anyone). We were served with Khawa (Arabic coffee), Omani dates, spring water, Oud and rose water. We took a group photograph with the Wali (see photo), which has been framed and presented to the Wali in way of a thank you for his hospitality.
 On the way back to the camp, most of the dead animals on the trees had disappeared (presumably now being cooked). We had sandwiches back at the campsite followed by a few games. Then eight camels we had booked arrived on the campsite and we spent the next two hours trekking around our huge campsite. These camels are beautiful creatures. In fact the ones we were riding were professional racing camels (one of them was worth £160,000!). We also took advantage of the situation by using the camels to star in our annual Christmas photo (see photo). After the camels, Senior Scouts were taken for map reading/compass revision in preparation for the next day, whilst the younger Scouts/Cubs had a treasure hunt around the site. For all the remaining meals, each patrol cooked everything on patrol wood fires.
 After dinner, we were accompanied by Shuwain to visit Sohar Traditional Park, which was having a traditional Eid Festival. Whilst we were there, we witnessed many traditional Omani/Arabic activities i.e. songs, music, dancing, food, trades etc, which was really interesting. Whilst we were there, we were interviewed (and appeared on) Oman National Television, which the Scouts thought was quite cool! After about an hour, we split into smaller groups so we could explore the festival. Everyone migrated towards the fair rides and had a great time on the dodgem cars and getting themselves thrown around on various other rides. There were other stalls too and the Scouts seemed to enjoy spending their money on some rather dodgy looking cheap sunglasses! We got back to camp quite late and all the young people went straight to bed.
Day 3 – Wednesday 10th
After rising at 6:30am, the Scouts cooked breakfast and prepared sandwiches for their lunch. We had a really busy day planned for them today! We were doing a 20km hike along a place called Wadi Jizzi (“Wadi” is Arabic for a dried up river bed). Wadi Jizzi is quite a fascinating place and full of history. The area has been mined for cooper for some 4,500 years and is on the edge of the ancient Mesopotamian empire. The Scouts/Cubs started off from a place called Bayda Mine, next to a 2,500-year-old Ziggurat (ancient, pre-Islamic place of worship). Leaders/adults were stationed on local hilltops to monitor progress of patrols (each patrol/leader had walkie talkies for safety purposes). Half way through the hike, we all met up next to an old disused cooper mine called Lusail Mine, where we had lunch in the shade of some small trees. At this point the Cubs (having fulfilled a hikes away badge) went back to the campsite to continue their Cub Scout badge-work. Our final destination for the hike was an 800-year-old fortification, perched on top of a small hill called Hawra Burgha, some 10km further. This place is also full of fascinating history (email me if you’re interested!). We got there late afternoon after a great day of hiking.
During the hike, I had received a phone call from Shuwain. He told me the local Omani Scouts from Sohar had seen us on national television and wanted to come and meet us tonight! I made a quick call to our chief quartermaster (Carlo), to make sure we could cater for 20 more people for a barbecue tonight. (Sorted! – great bloke!).
 After showering, the Scouts made a central barbeque pit and began cooking for everyone. The Omani Scouts then turned up. After showing them around and eating with us, we integrated them into our Patrols and they joined us for an excellent evening of fun… party games, a widegame, maggot-cooking competition (don’t ask!), and then around the campfire we had songs, claps, yells and skits (all with very little spoken English!). Our Scouts/Cubs all swapped their neckers with the Omani Scouts and we gave the Omani Scouts quite a few “spare” badges. We were presented with three shields from the Omani Scouts depicting (in Arabic) Scouting in Oman. It was another late night by the time the Omani Scouts departed and the end of an exhausting day!
Day 4 – Thursday 11th
 We let everyone have a lay-in until 7am. Our main activity this morning was a two and a half hour incident hike, consisting of six 20-minute incidents designed to test and strengthen the patrol’s teamwork and leadership. Late morning we had a very special Scout’s Own service under the shade of a large Acacia tree. After the service, we packed up the camp. The final event was backwoods cooking (cooking without utensils) using each Patrol’s wood fire – There was some really nice food, especially the bananas with a twix melted inside! We then had a prize-giving ceremony for the best Scout, Cub Scout, Patrol etc. Then after flag-down, we said goodbye and the coaches departed to Muscat.
This was a very successful, enjoyable and memorable camp. We have had some great feedback from parents and our young people. Of course, no camp would be a success without the hard work of many people. My sincerest thanks go to our leaders: Angela, Richard, Carlo Carboni, Eric (the magnificent), Conrad and Vaughan.
Nathan
Scout Leader
1st Oman Scout Group |
