The campfire that wasn't (and why it was brilliant)

How 4th Newcastle turned a rainy night into an adventure at House on the Hill.

Let’s be honest, we were hoping for a roaring fire under the stars. But when the British weather decided to bring heavy rain and high winds to House on the Hill (HOTH), 4th Newcastle Scouts did what we do best.

We didn’t pack up and go home. We went to Plan B.

Making the best of it

Instead of battling the elements, our Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts moved the adventure indoors. The campfire songs were just as loud, but this time they were joined by marshmallow towers and some incredible light painting with glowsticks.

It wasn’t just about having a laugh (though there was plenty of that). It was about teamwork, creativity, and the kind of problem-solving you can’t learn from a textbook. Watching the sections stand up and perform for each other showed real confidence—stepping up and speaking up, even when things didn't go exactly to script.

A community effort

A massive thank you to our incredible volunteer leaders who made the night possible. Shifting an entire event indoors at the last minute takes quick thinking and a lot of energy.

We also want to say a huge thank you to City of Newcastle Scouts for letting us use the fantastic House on the Hill site. It really is a great spot for an adventure, rain or shine.

Passing on the warmth

We had a large pile of wood ready for the fire, kindly donated by Regent Farm First School. Since the rain stopped us from burning it, we’ve donated the wood to the HOTH stockpile. It means that even though we missed our blaze, plenty of Scouts in the future will get to enjoy theirs.

Learning by doing

This was our first time running this event, and we learned a lot. We’ve got plenty of ideas on how to do things differently next time. But looking around at the marshmallow masterpieces and hearing the songs, it was clear the young people had a brilliant time.

It proves that you don't always need clear skies to have a great night. You just need good friends and a bit of Scout spirit.

What's your favourite bit of a campfire?

• The S'mores!
• Singing (in the rain!)
• The skits

#SkillsForLife #4thNewcastleScouts #HouseOnTheHill #CityofNewcastleScouts