A WEE COUNTY Boys' Brigade company went to great lengths to ensure its members did not miss out over the summer as it held a virtual summer camp.

Tom Duff of 26th Alloa and Moncrieff Company contacted all the boys and set up a week of 'virtual camp' activities and challenges for them, which would mirror some of the aspects of what would go on in the company's annual summer camp, normally held around this time in East Lothian.

A BB company in Dunblane also took part in the virtual camp, using funding from Tesco Bags of Help to provide goodie bags with equipment for primary-aged children, whether members of BB or not, with 45 boys and girls taking part.

Their kit included sunglasses, ingredients for smoothie-making, craft packs and more.

Both groups held some Zoom meetings during which games, jokes, songs and other talents were shared to bring together the community of campers.

Tom Duff, from the Alloa company, said the camp mimicked the real thing as much as possible.

He said: "The virtual camp is about us keeping in touch and enjoying fun and laughter together as we would normally do at our physical camp. Just as at camp, everyone has to co-operate so the boys needed help from adults to complete some of the daily challenges.

"Each day saw a different challenge or activity: pitching a tent or creating a den, completing a kit list and camp plan, tent inspection and table layout with or without uniform and making a record of a family walk or cycle run.

"Boys also had to complete a local 'monuments' quiz and a tent quiz, put together a day's menu and prepare a meal, and create and complete a potted-sports course. Photographic and other evidence was expected, and the week concluded with a virtual camp concert on Zoom."

Meanwhile in Dunblane, younger children took part and had challenges to take part in during Friday-night and Saturday-morning Zoom meetings together.

They made smoothies and s'mores, shared jokes and learned songs, had a keepy-uppy competition with the beach ball from their kit bag and built dens or pitched tents to sleep in.

Fraser Boyd, secretary for Stirling & District BB, said: "It was hugely encouraging to see two of our local Boys' Brigade companies running these activities for the young people over the summer holiday – and indeed being so good about keeping their members engaged throughout lockdown.

"I would like to thank them for the commitment and organisation they have shown while face-to-face activities haven't been able to take place."