National
Pathfinderscamp 1932
Estate Oosterbeek Wassenaar, 2 till 12 August 1932
(A journal from Dick Ooms, one of the
participants)
Tuesday August 2nd we left for
At 8 o’clock everyone was ready for the pre-practice
for Wednesday. It didn’t go very well. The Scottish played their bagpipes,
difficult to march its Music, but it was fun to hear.
Wednesday
August 3.
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The Cuckoos had to cook this First day. When breakfast
was ready, everything was cleaned and then there were endless inspections as
H.R.H. Prince Hendrik was to open the camp today at
2 o’clock. At half pas one
everyone gathered for the last thorough inspection and then we
marched to the demonstration area. It was packed with spectators. The prince
held his opening speech, but off course no one heard a word. |
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Prince Hendrik
and Headpathfinder Rambonnet |
Then came
the parade. We marched 6 by 6 on a loud mars. Last night it went very bad, but
today everything went smoothly.
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Sea
scouts marching |
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Scottish
Rover Band |
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Parade
of the English |
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Afterwards the demonstrations started, but the Cuckoos
had to prepare meals for 50 guys. Our sub
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British Indian Sub camp |
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Summary of sub camps |
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Thursday August 4.
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This morning we could stay in our bed longer, as we
didn’t have chores. After having breakfast, we got ready for inspections,
which went well without any penalties. Then we viewed the demonstration
that were prepared for the afternoon. Then we went to town to drink
coffee at noon. In the afternoon there were many visitors and lovely music. |
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Demonstration making ropes |
In the evening the skies went dark, it started to rain
a bit en especially around 8 o’clock when approximately 2000 man were ready to
march to the fireworks it didn’t look good.
I was the only one from the Cuckoos, as most of them were tired and
resting. Fortunately we walked close to a music corps,
so we could march pretty good.
At the fireworks our places were less, so we didn’t
see much of it. The return in the trams is something I will never forget. How I
got on, I can’t remember, but
I had both feet outside the tram at one point.
Our tram stopped too late, so we had to walk for quite
some time to return to our camp. At midnight we arrived at the camp. There I
drank a lot of water with Sanovite, because you get
very thirsty for 2 ½ hours walking.
Friday
August.
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Rise and shine at 6 o’clock. We planned to make an excursion
to |
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Group of participants |
Then we marched to the station together with the
Scottish band in front. In
When we arrived in the camp it was too late to cook.
Luckily the management of the camp had arranged for our diner to be served in
the mess room and large quantities were given out. We went to bed early so we
were well rested on Saturday.
Saturday August 6.
In the morning we were allowed to sleep half an hour
longer and do everything without hurrying. This day nothing spectacular
happened, except for a lot of visitors. In the afternoon
demonstration and in the evening a lightshow.
Sunday August 7.
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This morning rev. Mulder had a small ceremony at the demonstration area.
Our camp group joined in with many man. The staff music of the Hussars played
along. In the afternoon many parents visited and also Rien
Schulte joined us as he had only now some time off. I wish him a lovely camp
time. |
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Attention |
Monday August 8.
Early
rise this morning again. Today
was the day of the sightseeing trip of the Kaag,
which app. 2400 man joined. At 9 o’clock we gathered at the administration tent
from where we went to the train station in Wassenaar.
From here we went in 2 extra trains to
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Then we went on board
of some ships and were accompanies by 2 police boats and several motorboats
of the sea scouts. On the Kaag we layed still for quite a while and then the contestants of
the swimming contest should disembark. Our team was also gathered. |
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Boat
with visitors |
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Then something was
said that not only the contestants were allowed to swim and then a lot of
people also disembarked. It was a bit muddy and salty. Soon we went out of
the water and got back into the boat. Then back to |
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Admiralsailing |
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Tuesday August 9.
Like a ghost image this
day started. We had chores. Luckily we managed it better and we rose early, so
we were early whit breakfast. We let the fire burning. The camp leader honoured
us by joining us for lunch in Sub
Wednesday August 10.
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In the morning we went swimming in Scheveningen.
When we came back the cubs were practising for the demonstration. At 2 o’clock
we had to sell programs, what gave us a lot of money.
Early in the afternoon we finished so we had the rest of the day off. In the
evening again lightshows and tomorrow…… tomorrow….. |
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Camp kitchen |
Thursday August 11.
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Even early in the
morning we knew something special was today. Everything you saw, was polished. Everything checked, hot a peace of cow
shit was allowed. Around 11 o’clock something was happening at the entrance.
Leaders called their troops for attention and ... there he is, our Chief, our founder. Shining,
surrounded by the camp staff, in inspects the cups at first. |
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Inspection by the Chief Scout |
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He takes a cup from |
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Then he visits the camps. He has attention for every
detail. At the Germans a roar (of happiness) sounds when he enters. He is
stalled for too long so he can’t visit our camp group anymore. Evil tongues
say it is the doing of the DC, but who can have such thought at this day. The
Cuckoos therefore don’t believe a word of it. In the afternoon again demonstrations and in the
evening campfire. At 11 o’clock the Chief Scout held his closing speech and
ended the camp. Everything was out. |
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Visit R.C. camp |
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Friday August 12.
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Now the camp was a sad sight. Everything was torn
down and packed and made ready for leaving. Then finally the last moment. Our Campgroup Veluwe stood ready. The DC makes his final speech end dan Head Scout Van Leeuwen. He
thanks us and we thank him. I can’t understand that everything is ending now.
In the afternoon we will be home again and then we can only talk about this
camp. But no such thought, we have to move forwards, always forwards, long
live the NPV. |
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Breaking down the camp |
Epilogue.
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Never had I joined such a large camp. But what I had
seen and experienced was really spectacular. Everything was perfect. Never
went anything wrong. Only once a pump was broken, but only 5 minutes later it
was fixed by
a Rover scout in overall and it never broke down again. The food supplies was
also very good, so everything was functioning very well. Thanks to the camp
staff, many thanks. |
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Lord |
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