A significant camp of Éclaireurs de France took position on the banks of the Gardon de Mialet.
If you venture by the river, around the Rouquette campsite, you have a great prospect to see them. On well-wooded terraces by the river, a gang of younger individuals – extra than sixty, not counting the surveillance workforce – labored difficult for a couple times.
In groups of 5, 6 or 7, these young ones and teenagers create kitchen area tables, apparel racks, and ladders. Nearby they pitched tents and hung hammocks amongst the oaks. Among them we converse, joke, snicker. Many others obvious the ground, which they by now know. “This is the 3rd time we come right here”, specify for illustration Arthur, Jules and Gabriel. “It really is the very first time for me! I’m new!”, Provides the younger Maxime proudly.
Some small distinctive signals
Dressed like individuals of their age – shorts, t-shirts or tank tops for ladies – these young individuals, whose ages range from 9 to 17 several years, having said that, carry their individual distinctive markings. Some collars are adorned with a two-tone scarf. But most of the customers of this camp predominantly use a clover as a coat of arms, on their jacket or cap. Image of the girls scouts and scouts of France (see reverse). “We have a tunic that we ordinarily have to wear”, points out even so Christophe Fouache (below referred to as “Bison”, in reference to his totem), director of the camp. “But given the scorching warmth, we allow for ourselves some liberties. I you should not imagine we are going to have on it typically this summer months!”
Three months to knowledge the Cévennes
This group of scouts is from Lambersart, a city on the outskirts of Lille. But the Cévennes appear to be their 2nd household. “I knew them as a little one,” continues Christophe Fouache. Prior to getting to be a director, this imposing bearded father – lots of of whose youngsters are element of the adventure – traveled numerous periods in the Gard massif in his youth. “There is a fantastic normal and historical richness. And even however the Cévennes have this gruff popularity, there is a genuine welcoming spirit between them.”
Until eventually the close of the month, the Pathfinders have established up their principal camp on private land in close proximity to the campsite. “We just take this chance to maintain it. It belongs to a lady in excess of 80 many years aged. It is the least we can do in exchange for her hospitality.” But the troop, divided into patrols – or crews – of 5 to 8 youthful folks each and every, will have a active program of exploration: staff participate in for two days, long excursions of 4 to 6 times the place they will bivouac in private residences, most of the times less than the stars. “We will also exploit the vacationer sights of the area”, adds the director, citing the example of the steam prepare of the Cévennes or the cave of Trabuc.
And for the close of your stay, the campsite organizes an night demonstrate on the financial institutions of the Gardon on Friday 26 August. The inhabitants of the valley, the associates of the campsite and the people today achieved throughout their stays will be invited. As a pledge of shared fraternity.
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