Sion company on their summer camp at Blackshaw Head in 1967, by Phil Taylor.

Like everybody else, the boys and officers of a company need to get away and have a change of scenery at least once a year. And like all holidays or breaks, the companies do seem to have their ups and downs when they are away! As the captain of the 1st Burnley Company Mr Ken Tomlinson highlights: "There have been storms at camps where I have got up in the middle of the night, in the poring rain, and have wandered over to a bell tent which as been blown down! You could see the shape of the six boys in the tent, snoring away like logs, not knowing the tent has collapsed on top of them!" All three Burnley companies go away every year to camp, whether by themselves or with the East Lancashire Battalion. It is probably one of the most eagerly awaited events of a company's year.
Mr. Herbert Wilkinson, the captain of the 2nd Burnley Company, has been on every summer camp that the Mount Pleasant boys have been on since 1943, when the company went on its first summer camp to Llanfairfechan. "I have enjoyed every one!", said Mr. Wilkinson. "We have either been by ourselves or with other companies. We didn't go on a camp in 1981 and last year we just went to Gisburn." The 6th Company at Sion used to go on weekend camps as well when they were based at Hollingreave Road. "We used to go to Edisford Bridge, near Clitheroe," said captain Mr George Tattersall. "We used to play about in the river and organise cricket and football games - the boys used to challenge the officers and we usually won!" Mornings at camp usually start with prayers and a short service from the chaplain or officer. But then it was long walks and much merriment!
"I remember one very funny incident at camp in 1957 at Chapel St Leonards," recalls Mr Wilkinson. "On the way back from a long way, we noticed that one of our troop was missing. I went back into the town and found the boy fast asleep on the toilet!" I seems the summer camps are tiring for many people - officers and boys. "At Whitby in 1948 we were involved in a church parade. We were all dead tired and during the service we noticed that one old lady was sitting throughout the singing. It was because one of our boys had fallen asleep on her shoulder and she couldn't get up!" But despite these lighter moment Mr Wilkinson admits there were some very anxious moments as well, with boys going missing and various illnesses.
The 1st Burnley company has been abroad on occasions for their summer camps. "we have been to Austria and Switzerland, but the ones I enjoy the most are the ones on Guernsey," said Mr Tomlinson. "We have been there four times, and it always good weather, outstanding beaches and a pleasant site."