History

Camping in the Boys' Brigade began in 1886, but parents concern about the health of their son's who, they thought would "catch their death of cold"; get "gored by cows"; or "bitten by sheep"; or "stung by wasps"; or "tossed by bulls", prevented the first camp of the 1st Glasgow being held under canvas. So it was held in the Public Hall at Auchenlochan, Tighnabruaich, in the Kyles of Bute, Argyllshire (now Strathclyde), West Scotland. This was an adventure style camp and seafaring was one of their activities. Camping under canvas was soon accepted as normal and company camps popular, with companies uniting to camp together. The BB camp was recognisable as a holiday bearing the seal of discipline. William Smith realised that keen enjoyment went together with high discipline and he set the ideal of a wise and strictly maintained routine, chosen only for the purpose of helping the smooth running of camp and allowing the maximum of sport, free time and amusement. In Nottingham camping was started by the 1st Nottingham (Alfred Street) Company which camped at Sherwood Lodge, Arnold in 1889. In 1925 the 19th Nottingham (Albion Congregational, Sneinton) Company first camped and joined the 2nd Nottingham (Dakeyne Street, Sneinton) Company. From 1930 the 19th camped almost entirely on their own until 1946 when a combined camp was arranged at Trusthorpe, near Mablethrpe, with the 1st Potters Bar Company (Middlesex). The following year, 1947, Arthur J Lee, Captain of the 19th, and his friend Walter Morley, Captain of the 10th Nottingham (All Saints Radford) Company which had newly reformed, decided to hold a united camp, again at Trusthorpe, to enable inexperienced members of the 10th to gain camping experience. This was the start of our Camp Group and that first purpose has remained one of its objects, enabling several to have been a part of the Group, some choosing to continue their association for many years. Although uniform was taken to camp by the 19th for several years it was replaced by the wearing of BB berets as a distinctive item. The beret was an early feature of the Camp Group being replaced later by the wearing of the BB badge on ordinary clothing, but this practice lapsed in 1979. Over the years the routine of the Camp Group has varied but has always been designed to help the smooth running of the camp and allowing the maximum of fun, adventure and discovery.