My first ever camp as a Guide – near the East German border, I think. A long time ago! Our Patrol woke up very early on the first morning and decided there was time before breakfast to explore the little copse at the side of the campsite. It was just after dawn, and cool but sunny with the promise of heat later. Somebody tripped over a tree root and grazed her knee. Six personal first aid kits were whipped out and we tended to her wound. Cleaned? Check. Dried? Check. Elastoplast applied? Check. Gosh! we thought. This is the real thing!

There was a campfire, and old-fashioned ridge tents, and cooking over open fires, but it’s that first morning that sticks in my head. I smile about that little incident now. But did you notice? We all had first aid kits and we all knew what to do….