The Best of Fest team have been busy visiting all the amazing activities on site all week. Here's their summary of the crafty opportunities that have been on offer at Poacher 2022.
The craft section is the place to be! It spanned over a collection of marquees placed in a horseshoe formation near the clocktower. There were a total of thirty-three arts and crafts for participants to choose from and there was something for everyone.
The foam flowers were pretty and simple to make. Lou, from Market Rasen Guides and Scouts, Wild West Fest, said “it is very popular for all age groups.” And if that doesn't prove how effortless it is to do, “even someone with a broken finger did it!” The Leaders were welcome, and some took inspiration back to their units. It was the place to be “if you want to chill and have some quiet for 10 minutes.”
Jenna from 15th Hillfoots Rangers, a 50/50 volunteer in the craft area, Wonder Fest, was very happy to be volunteering at the craft section. “It's more fun volunteering than I thought,” and is “great for people who don't want to do a big thing but want to do something.”
The beaded creature tent made a new friend on Sunday as a frog spent its whole day hopping about and keeping follow crafters company. To commemorate their new friendship the beaded creature on Monday was a frog. The type of beaded creature crafted changed each day. While over at jewellery box decorating, Hannah and Isla from the St. Alban North division, Folk Fest, were enjoying their downtime and taking it at their own pace.
There were one hundred and twenty tiles and eighty-three bags painted on Sunday. And of course, it wouldn’t be a jamboree without friendship bracelets! Wax candle carving is a satisfying and enjoyable activity, but participants had to wait until they got home to burn it! The bag-making corner also had a wall of happiness – young people brainstormed to add their positive message. Other crafts included; dream catcher making, cross-stitching, quilling, Hama beads, and much more!
At the Amateur Radio tent, participants could get their communications badge where they got set up to work with the radio systems, learn morse code and even listen to the international space station. Unlike Jam FM it is used for communication rather than entertainment. Steve from the activity described it as an “amateur radio display” he also mentioned how the young people love coming back and learning more about the radio and how it works.
The Planetarium sits inside the Epic Centre (between the souvenir shop and staff catering) for something a little gentler. It took campers on an interactive tour of the night sky. “We learned about different stars and their names,” says Eliot, 14th Worksop Scouts, Wild West Fest. “It was really interesting.”
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With free cake on offer, it’s no surprise that the Great Poacher Bake Off tent was always busy; campers were given their own goodies to decorate and whipped up a smorgasbord of creative designs. Ryan from Canada showed us his impressive replica of the Poacher logo in icing – even though he didn’t know what Bake Off was!
Alternatively, participants could have a go at African drumming using traditional West African drums and percussion instruments. Crazy Golf was located near Poacher Challenge and could be taken at a slower pace with friends.
