Stoke Gifford Scouts sleep out rough, raising homelessness awareness.

Most would shy away from camping outside in January, with temperatures as low as 2 degrees, but that’s just what the Old School Rooms (OSR) troop from Stoke Gifford have done. They then took it a step further, swapping out canvas for cardboard.

The OSR Scout troop attending a talk on homelessness by a guest speaker.

As part of their theme delving into the challenges with homelessness, they’ve had talks from the Julian Trust, and the Soldier’s, Sailor’s, and Airmen’s Families Association, before they took part in a unique experience – bunkering down in cardboard boxes and blankets for the night, outside the St Michael’s Centre.

The adventure began at 8pm on Friday 17th January, where the trop set out on a walk around the local area. Upon their return, they were served hot soup and rolls, as they prepared for the night ahead, working in teams to build makeshift shelters from cardboard boxes.

The OSR troop on their walk at the start of their evening.

Two scouts camping in cardboard boxes.

By 11pm, the shelters were complete with blankets and sleeping bags, and everyone settled down for the night, though sleep didn’t come easily, and many of the group were awake into the early hours of the morning.

The night highlighted the challenges for homeless people, with a cold ground, the sound of wild foxes, and noise and vibration from passing trains throughout the night, and the scouts gained a greater appreciation for the warmth of their homes, their comfy beds, and the peace and quiet that comes with four walls.

After a successful night, and once their accommodation was dismantled and the site tidied away, many of the scouts stopped off at McDonalds for a warm breakfast.

A huge thank you to the leaders who enabled the event to happen, M&S and Ballyhoo Embroidery for their help in supplying cardboard boxes for shelter, and the St Michael’s Centre for permission to run the event in their courtyard. Most importantly, thank you to the Scouts and their parents, for having faith, and supporting this big adventure.

Scouts provides young people, aged 4-25 with #SkillsForLife, and is growing every year. Why not get involved?