Cumbaree 97 was based in the English Lake District. Centered on the famous Great Tower Camp site close to Windermere England's largest lake.

A memorable week was had sharing different activities and friendships.

Cumbaree was held at Great Tower this year and started with a grand ceromony opened by George Purdie the Chief Scout. The flags from the four Sub Camps Helvellyn, Skiddaw, Scafell and Great Gable were paraded alongside Flags from Groups all over the UK and the rest of the world. Israel, Holland, Germany, Canada, Romania were included in the international line up. Followed later in the week by Russia and Ghana.

Over 1100 Scouts, Guides and leaders and up to 250 staff made Cumbaree'97

The Sub camps rotated round four days of activities. Water activities, canoeing or sailing and rafting followed by a lake cruise filled one day. A set of multi activities, pony treking, grass sledges, mountain biking, hiking etc filled another. Onsite activities including abseiling, climbing, assault course, archery, pioneering, backwoods cooking, shooting, prusucking and crafts filled another. Day trips to Muncaster, Brockhole and area, or Blackpool was on offer for another day.

The final day was filled with activities brought by the individual groups on the camp, these ranged from local cooking to charriot racing from a staged Western gun fight to plaster casting.

Each evening there were activities arranced by the sub camps, greasy pole, treasure hunt, horseshoe throwing etc. There was also a large stage event, disco, 70's night, folk band or talent show.

The week was brought to a close with a live 'Queen' band and the floating of candles on the pond representing the frienships formed across the seas in the family of Scouting and Guiding.

A good week was had by all (even those who ended up visiting casualty!). Tradition of lakeland camping was upheld on the Saturday as it rained and rained while everyone packed up wet canvasses to 'dry' when they got home!!