Scouting in South East England facts for kids

Scouting in South East England is all about the fun activities and adventures that Scouts do in this part of the country. Most Scouts here are part of The Scout Association, which is the biggest Scouting group in the UK. There are also other groups like the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association. The Scout Association organises the region into 9 areas called Scout Counties. These counties usually follow the same borders as the regular counties. Many universities in the area also have Scouting clubs that are part of the Student Scout and Guide Organisation.

Scout Counties in South East England

Royal Berkshire Scout County

Royal Berkshire Scout County covers the area of Berkshire. It offers Scouting adventures to about 7,500 young people and adults. This county includes towns like Newbury, Reading, Bracknell, Slough, and Windsor. A team of volunteers leads the county, helped by a few paid staff. Scouting in Berkshire is split into eleven smaller areas called Scout Districts:

Some parts of Scouting, especially for older Scouts (Explorer Scouts and Scout Network), are run across different districts. The 1st Reading (YMCA) Sea Scout Group is special because it was one of the first groups, started in 1908.

The county also has special teams for activities like mountaineering, climbing, archery, and shooting. Scouts from Berkshire often go on international trips. Between 2016 and 2018, they visited 13 countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, and Norway. They also went to the Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland and on Explorer Belt trips to Finland, Hungary, and Iceland.

The county's badge, worn on uniforms, shows a stag and an oak tree on a dark green background. This design is based on an old poem and is also used on the flag of Berkshire.

WINGS Jamboree

WINGS is a huge international camping event for Scouts and Guides aged 10 to 25. It usually happens every 5 years in Berkshire. It's a team effort between Berkshire Scouts and Girlguiding Royal Berkshire. Participants camp in Windsor Great Park and do many activities there, as well as at other nearby places like Dorneywood Scout Camp.

WINGS has been held in 1993, 1998, 2003, 2009, and 2014. It grew from 2,700 people from 22 countries in 1993 to 7,000 people from 41 countries in 2014. The 2020 event was moved to 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Three Towers Hike

The Three Towers Hike is a walking competition organised by Reading Central District Scouts. It takes place around Easter in West Berkshire and South Oxfordshire. The routes mostly follow the Ridgeway, an ancient path. The hike is named after three water towers along the main route. It's open to both Scouts and non-Scouts.

Buckinghamshire Scout County

Buckinghamshire Scout County covers the area of Buckinghamshire. It includes towns like Aylesbury, Buckingham, High Wycombe, Marlow, and Milton Keynes. The county is led by County Commissioner James Williamson and a team of volunteers. It is split into ten Scout Districts:

The 1st Wolverton Scout Group in Milton Keynes is special because it was one of the first Scout groups in the UK, started in 1908.

The county's badge, worn on uniforms, shows a swan with its wings out on a black and red background. This design is based on the old flag of Buckinghamshire.

Bucks Scout Radio

Bucks Scout Radio, or BSR, is an online radio station run by volunteers. It broadcasts to Scout groups in Buckinghamshire and beyond. It plays different types of music and has original shows made by Scout volunteers. It started in 2015 as MK Scout Radio in Milton Keynes. In February 2018, it became Bucks Scout Radio with county support, reaching more listeners. They also share Scouting news on their website and social media.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bucks Scout Radio broadcasted shows with activities for young people to do at home. This included a county-wide "Camp at Home" event in June 2020, where young people shared their experiences on the radio.

East Sussex Scout County

East Sussex Scout County covers East Sussex and the city of Brighton and Hove. Besides Brighton and Hove, it includes coastal towns like Eastbourne and Hastings, and towns like Crowborough, Hailsham, and Lewes. The county is led by County Commissioner Elaine Gausden and a team of volunteers. East Sussex Scout County is split into eight districts:

The Brighton and Hove district has a long history. The first group at Cottesmore School started in November 1907. In February 1910, the Chief Scout, Robert Baden-Powell, inspected 400 Scouts at Preston Park. The 1st Ewhurst Scout Troop is also special. It held its first meeting on June 21, 1913, at Robert and Olave Baden-Powell's home, Ewhurst Place. Olave Baden-Powell was even the Troop's Scoutmaster! They used the Union flag that flew over Mafeking during the siege of 1889-90.

The county offers events and support to all Scout sections. They also run the Broadstone Warren activity site. The county organises international trips, like Explorer Belt expeditions to Cologne and Rotterdam in 2018.

The county's uniform badge is based on the coat of arms of East Sussex County Council. It has six gold martlet birds, a symbol of Sussex, a white wavy line for the sea, and a gold Saxon crown.

Hampshire Scout County

Hampshire Scout County covers the area of Hampshire. It includes cities like Southampton, Portsmouth, and Winchester, and towns like Basingstoke and Eastleigh. As of January 2020, Hampshire is the largest Scout County in England. It has 18,599 young people and 7,405 adult volunteers.

The county is run by a team of volunteers. They focus on youth programs, adult support, and overall management. Hampshire Scouts also have paid staff for administration, growth, and running their activity centre, Ferny Crofts.

Besides Ferny Crofts, the county has activity clubs for mountaineering, archery, rifle shooting, caving, and bushcraft. These clubs help Scouts and adults develop new skills. The county is led by a volunteer County Commissioner, currently Commander Martin Mackey RN.

Hampshire is currently divided into 23 districts. Many of these districts have changed names and boundaries over the years. Seven districts still have their original names from 1909: Andover, Eastleigh, Gosport, Havant, Odiham, Petersfield, and Romsey.

Hampshire Scouts started in January 1909. The first County Commissioner was chosen then. On October 2, 1912, Chief Scout Robert Baden-Powell and his fiancée Olave St. Clare Soames attended the first Hampshire County Rally. They inspected 2,700 Scouts on Southampton Common. This event was filmed and can be seen on YouTube. Baden-Powell visited Hampshire many times to see Scouts.

Hampshire Scout groups have been part of new Scouting developments since the beginning. The 1st Lymington and 1st Romsey Scout troops started in 1908. The Sea Scout branch, which focuses on water activities, began in Hampshire. Robert Baden-Powell held his third camp at the Training Ship Mercury at Buckler's Hard, focusing on water skills. Scouts from this camp formed the first Sea Scout troops, including the 6th Itchen South (Hamble) Sea Scout Group, believed to be the first in the country, registered in 1910.

In July 1942, Avington Park in Itchen Abbas hosted the first national Air Scout camp. This was only 18 months after the Air Scout section started. Hampshire groups also helped test Beavers in 1982, four years before it officially launched. In 2019, the 13th Southampton group became one of the first to try a new section for very young children, provisionally called "Hedgehogs."

The county often holds large camps for all Scouts to meet and do activities. Recent events include H007 (2007), H0014 (2014), and H0018 (2018). They also organise international trips every year. These include Explorer Belt expeditions to Europe, visits to Kandersteg International Scout Centre, and trips to Tanzania and The Gambia.

The county's uniform badge is a double red rose with a gold crown on a black background. This rose and crown have long been a symbol of Hampshire.

Hampshire Scout Expeditions (HSX)

Hampshire Scout Expeditions, or HSX, is a special group that organises international expeditions for Scouts in Hampshire. This includes Explorer Scouts, Scout Network, and adult volunteers. The group started in 1986. They run expeditions, often lasting 4–6 weeks, in countries around the world, including developing countries. Before these trips, participants train in challenging areas of the UK like the Lake District and Snowdonia. HSX also has special equipment for these events that members can use.

HSX members are known for some amazing expeditions. Between 2003 and 2006, HSX member Rhys Jones climbed the seven highest mountains on all seven continents. He was the youngest person to do this. He climbed Mount McKinley (now Denali) at 17 with an HSX team. He then climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, Mount Elbrus, Mount Kosciuszko, Mount Vinson, and finally Mount Everest on his 20th birthday in 2006.

In 2007, an HSX team called Sky High climbed Mount Everest. Three members reached the top on May 21, 2007. The expedition leader had been planning it since 1998, choosing 2007 for the Scouting centenary. Explorer Scouts from Hampshire joined the team to Everest base camp before helping with community projects. Chief Scout Peter Duncan also joined them for part of the journey.

In January 2019, Hampshire Scout and HSX member Joe Doherty skied to the South Pole and kite-skied back. This was the first HSX trip to Antarctica. Doherty has openly shared the mental health challenges he faced during and after the expedition. He is a Hampshire Scout ambassador.

Isle of Wight Scout County

The Isle of Wight Scout County organises Scout groups on the Isle of Wight. Until January 2020, the island had two districts, but they combined. Now the county handles all responsibilities. There are 23 Scout groups, 11 Explorer Scout units, and one Scout Network on the island. Three groups started in 1908: 1st Newport, 1st Sandown, and 1st Shanklin. The county is led by County Commissioner Dave Simpson and a team of assistants.

The island's uniform badge has a sky blue shield on a pale grey background. The shield has three golden anchors and a pale grey castle with three towers. This design is based on the coat of arms of the Isle of Wight Council. The blue and anchors show the island's link to the sea, and the castle represents Carisbrooke Castle.

A special event hosted by Isle of Wight Scouts is Revolution. It's for Explorer Scouts and Scout Network members from across the UK and focuses on themed activities.

Kent Scout County

Kent Scout County covers Kent and the Medway Council areas. A team of volunteers runs the county. In 2019, Kent Scouts also had 16 paid staff for administration, growth, and activities. It is divided into 22 Scout Districts:

Kent Scout county has over 23,000 members, with about 17,000 being young people. They run several county-level activity teams for water, land, and specialist activities like mountaineering. The Invicta Mountaineering Club, named after the county's motto, has been running since 1965. The 1st Hythe and 1st Tonbridge Scout Groups were among the first in the UK, starting in 1908.

The uniform badge for the county features the White Horse of Kent on a deep red background. This symbol is well known in Kent and has been the County flag since 1605.

Kent International Jamboree (KIJ)

Every four years, Kent International Jamboree, or KIJ, is held by the county. It brings people from all over the world to Kent. They experience Kentish life and adventurous activities. KIJ 2021 was postponed to 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was held at the Kent County Showground near Detling. 3,500 Scouts and Guides camped together for a week in 2022. The next KIJ will be in 2025.

Oxfordshire Scout County

Oxfordshire Scout County covers all Scout groups in Oxfordshire. It is divided into six districts:

The county is run by volunteers, led by County Commissioner Wendy Tatham. They have deputies and two Youth Commissioners to represent young people. A board of trustees also helps manage the charity. Three paid staff members support administration, growth, and funding.

The county runs special groups like OxChefs, Event Fairies, and First Aid Scout Active Support units. These groups help leaders with cooking, event management, and first aid. The county has almost 10,000 members, with 7,300 being Scouts as of 2019. The 1st Henley-on-Thames Scout Group is one of the first in the UK, from the 1908 list.

The uniform badge for the county is based on the Flag of Oxfordshire. It's a shield shape on a black background with the name below. The badge includes a red ox head on wavy lines for the River Thames, representing Oxford city. It also has a golden oak tree and wheat sheaf, showing the county's agriculture and woodlands.

Surrey Scout County

Surrey Scout County covers the area of Surrey. It has about 17,000 members, including 13,657 young people. It is led by a volunteer County Commissioner, Joe Rogerson, and a team of deputies and assistants. The county is divided into 18 districts:

The 4th Woking (Christchurch) and 1st Weybridge (Brookland's Own) are among the oldest Scout groups, registered in 1908. The 1st Weybridge claims to be the oldest in the county, starting in 1907.

Surrey County is represented by a lion image. The uniform badge has a red lion passant in a red square with fleur-de-lis in the corners on a light background. The Scout County also uses a stylised lion in profile. The lion passant appears in the coat of arms of the Earls of Surrey and is used by other organisations in the county.

Surrey Scouts run many activity days and events for its members and Girlguiding members. Bazzaz is a fun day every three years for Beaver Scouts and Rainbows. It includes activities like climbing and inflatables. SCRAM (Surrey Cubs Run Amok) is a fun day every three years for 2,500 Cub Scouts. It has over 150 activities like quad bikes and zip wires. Scoutabout is a weekend event every three years for over 4,500 Scouts and Guides, with over 200 activities. These three big events are timed so only one happens each year.

The newest activity is the annual FrightEX24, a Halloween-themed 24-hour activity camp. It started in 2018. Other events include KIX, an expedition to Kandersteg International Scout Centre, and Beavers Go Wild, an annual weekend event for Beaver Scouts.

West Sussex Scout County

West Sussex Scout County covers the area of West Sussex. It is divided into 10 Scout Districts:

The 1st Arundel (Earl of Arundel's Own) and 4th Worth groups are among the oldest in the county, registered in 1908.

The uniform badge for the county is based on a simpler version of the coat of arms granted to West Sussex County Council in 1975. It has a blue shield with a thick gold band at the top and six gold birds. On top of the shield is a Saxon crown with acorns.

Student Scout and Guide Organisation

In South East England, there are student clubs at universities that are part of the Student Scout and Guide Organisation (SSAGO). You can find them at:

• Canterbury Christ Church University, the University of Kent and Universities at Medway (GreKSAG)
• Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University (OUSGG)
• the University of Portsmouth (PUGS)
• Royal Holloway, University of London (RHUL SSAGO)
• Solent University (Solent SSAGO)
• the University of Southampton (Southampton SSAGO)

SSAGO clubs used to exist at the University of Reading, the University of Surrey, University of Sussex, University of Brighton (BSGS), and the University of Winchester.

The Oxford University Scout and Guide Group is the oldest university Scouting club in the UK, founded in November 1919.

Scout Campsites

Royal Berkshire Campsites

Royal Berkshire has three campsites. Earleywood is the largest. The other two, Paddicks Patch and 1st Burghfield & Sulhamstead Scout HQ, offer a single camping spot with a fire-circle and a nearby hut. All three are open to all members of The Scout Association.

Earleywood Camping and Scout Centre

Earleywood Camping and Scout Centre in South Ascot is run by South Berkshire and South East Berkshire Scout Districts. It has two buildings for accommodation, a climbing tower, a bouldering wall, and a crate stacking area. It's also the main county centre for Royal Berkshire Scouts.

Buckinghamshire Campsites

Braidwood Scout and Guide Activity Centre

Braidwood Scout and Guide Activity Centre in the Chiltern Hills is owned and run by Buckinghamshire Scout County. It has 14 acres of land with camping areas, two buildings, and outdoor activities for Scout and Guide groups.

Longridge Activity Centre

Longridge Activity Centre is on the River Thames near Marlow. It used to be owned by The Scout Association but was sold to an independent charity in 2007. Now, it offers many water and land activities for all young people. The centre has indoor accommodation, camping, and a cafe.

It offers water activities like Bell Boating, Dragon boat, Canoeing, Rowing, Sailing, Kayaking, and Powerboating. Land activities include Climbing, Team Challenge Zones, Water Orbs, Go Karts, and Disc golf. Longridge is a leading training centre for young people and leaders. It's approved by the British Canoe Union and the Royal Yacht Association.

Longridge works with other groups like Marlow Rowing Club and local schools. Its patrons include TV adventurer Steve Backshall. While mainly for young people, families and adults can use the site when young people aren't there. The Fire Service, GB Canoeing, and GB Dragon Boat Teams also train here.

Paccar Scout Camp

Paccar Scout Camp is in the Buckinghamshire countryside, in its own woodland. It offers outdoor and indoor accommodation, an indoor air rifle range, an outdoor archery range, and climbing walls. It opened in 1938 after a donation. It was sold to the county around 2004.

The Quarries Camping and Activity Centre

The Quarries Camping and Activity Centre is in Buckinghamshire, near Cosgrove. It is owned and run by Milton Keynes District Scouts. It has camping sites and indoor accommodation, an indoor air rifle range, an outdoor archery range, and Scoutcraft activities. The Quarries also hosts Girl Guiding camps and school groups for Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions.

East Sussex Campsites

East Sussex has four Scout campsites: Broadstone Warren (where the county HQ is), Bushy Wood in Hailsham, Parkwood in Brighton (run by the local district), and Kiteye in Bexhill-on-Sea (run by the Senlac District).

Broadstone Warren Scout Site & Activity Centre

Broadstone Warren Scout Site & Activity Centre is a 400-acre woodland camping and activity centre in Ashdown Forest. It's open all year and has been running since 1937. It was leased by East Sussex County Scouts from The Scout Association in 1986 and sold to them around 2004. After the 2020 pandemic, it returned to The Scout Association and became a Scout Adventure centre in 2021. It has archery ranges, indoor accommodation, a large tented village, a climbing tower, and a 140m zip wire.

Bushy Wood Activity Centre

Bushy Wood Activity Centre is for youth groups in Hailsham. It is run by Eastbourne Scout District. Activities are provided by Buzz Active, a non-profit group owned by East Sussex County Council. It has two accommodation buildings and two meeting centres, plus camping.

Hampshire Campsites

Hampshire has several campsites for Scouts. Notable ones include Ferny Crofts in the New Forest, which is Hampshire Scouts' main centre and headquarters. Lyon's Copse in Shedfield serves districts in South East Hampshire. Runway's End in Farnborough is run by Hampshire County Council with local Scout and council partners.

Other sites include Cranbury Park, Cricket Camp, Harry's Island in Burley, Pinsent Scout Campsite in Winchester, and Wilverley Campsite in the New Forest. Girlguiding centres like Foxlease and Sandy Acres are also available for Scouts.

Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre

Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre in the New Forest is owned and run by Hampshire Scouts. It has camping, two lodges for indoor accommodation, and adventurous activities. These include climbing, high ropes, target activities, water activities, and bushcraft. From 2009 to 2016, Ferny Crofts was a partner centre of the National Scout Activity Centre.

Lyon's Copse

The Solent Scout Training Centre, known as Lyon's Copse, is a Scout activity centre in Shedfield. Five surrounding districts own it. It was bought in 1971.

The site has four accommodation buildings: Lyon's Lodge, Pine Cabin, and two Log Cabins. Lyon's Lodge opened in 1996 and has dormitories and accessible rooms. The Chief Scout and the Duke of Kent visited its opening. The site also has a climbing tower, low ropes course, indoor archery and rifle shooting range, bouldering wall, and a small pond for rafting.

Isle of Wight Campsites

The island has two main Scout campsites: Corf Scout Camp near Shalfleet and South Wight Campsite near Ventnor. South Wight Campsite has simple facilities and is run by the 3rd Ventnor Scout Group.

Corf is a 22-acre site for the Isle of Wight county. It is mostly wooded and has 30 small camping spots. It's bordered by two lakes, allowing water activities. The site has several buildings for indoor activities and accommodation. It also has a climbing tower, bird hide, adventure course, and play area. Bought in 1937, the site is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest with ancient woodland.

Kent Campsites

Kent has many campsites, often owned by different districts. These include:

• Adamswell Scout Campsite near Royal Tunbridge Wells (15-acre basic site)
• Bexon Lane Campsite near Bredgar (camping fields and activity building)
• Farningham Wood in Swanley Village (10-acre woodland site with toilets)
• Hamlet Wood near Maidstone (27-acre site with two buildings and a climbing tower)
• Hopehill Campsite, Meopham (20-acre site with camping, accommodation, and a climbing tower)
• Lordship Wood near Horsmonden (23 acres of ancient woodland for traditional camping)
• Marshside Scout Camp near Minster-in-Thanet (camping and target activities)
• Ross Wood Campsite near Herne Bay (Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay Scout District's campsite)
• Shepherd Park Activity Centre, near Faversham (camping, toilet block, barn for rifle shooting)

Some Scout groups also have their own campsites or training fields. Dartford Scouts' HQ is a house used as a hostel and outdoor camping area. Scouts can also use Kearnsey Camp site and the Swattenden Centre owned by Kent County Council.

Downe Scout Adventures is in Orpington, now part of Greater London but historically linked to Kent. It's one of The Scout Association's national centres. Wilberforce Scout Centre, owned by Bromley Scouts, is also nearby.

Buckmore Park Scout Centre

Buckmore Park Scout Centre is a camping and activity centre south of Chatham in Kent. The Medway Towns Scout District runs it. Scouts have used the site since 1953. It includes woodland and the Buckmore Park Kart Circuit, which is run separately.

The site was redeveloped after a motorway expansion in 1995. New facilities opened in 2000, including a swimming pool, conference centre, air rifle range, archery butts, sports hall, cafe, accommodation, climbing tower, caving network, and assault course. However, due to access issues and falling usage, the Scouts closed it in 2003. The Scouts returned to a 20-acre wooded area in 2007 without buildings. The climbing wall from the centre was moved to Lower Grange Farm and reopened there in 2014.

The site currently used by Scouts is 142 acres of woodland. Activities include air rifle shooting, caving, archery, and orienteering. It focuses on basic camping and has two modular buildings for meetings or indoor activities.

Lower Grange Farm

Lower Grange Farm is the Scout Centre for Kent Scouts, located in Maidstone. It has been in use since 2009. It includes meeting and conference facilities, accommodation, activity space, an archery range, a cave bus, and a climbing barn. More land has been bought to expand the site. Young people have been involved in planning the site's development.

The site was bought in 2009 as a derelict farm and has been greatly improved. It was featured on the BBC show Homes Under the Hammer. Chief Scout Bear Grylls visited in 2010. The farm buildings were renovated, and the climbing barn opened in 2014. The site's vision includes new construction to link existing buildings.

Oxfordshire Campsites

Oxfordshire is home to Youlbury Scout Adventures, a national Scout activity centre with over a century of history. Besides a few campsites at Scout Group meeting places, another notable campsite is Horley Scout Camp in North Oxfordshire. It offers camping, a climbing wall, archery, and shooting, along with two lodge buildings.

Youlbury Scout Adventures

Youlbury Scout Adventures is one of twelve Scout Adventure Centres in the UK, west of Oxford. The Scout Association owns and operates it. It became a National Centre of Excellence in 2005. It's one of the oldest Scout campsites in the UK. It even served as the National Headquarters for The Scout Association during World War II.

Surrey Campsites

Surrey has many campsites and activity centres. The county headquarters is at Bentley Copse Activity Centre. Walton Firs, a former national Scout campsite, is also in the county and has been updated since becoming independent in 2008. Another former national site, Perry Wood International Scout Campsite, was sold off.

Surrey has smaller sites run by Scout Districts:

• Birchmere in Wisley (traditional site focusing on scouting skills)
• Boidier Hurst on Box Hill (jointly owned, focuses on nature)
• Garner's Field in Tilford (former quarry with camping, climbing, archery, shooting)
• Jordan Heights in Reigate (National Trust land, leased to Scouts, with camping, shooting, archery)
• Park Farm in Banstead (leased from local council, with buildings, climbing wall, archery)
• Polyapes (jointly run, 23 acres of camping and woodland, two buildings)

Some sites are more basic:

• Bourne Copse near Virginia Water (5-acre woodland site with no activities)
• Ranmore Campsite on Ranmore Common (basic woodland campsite)
• Roverdene Campsite in Chaldon (basic woodland campsite)
• White Beeches in Dunsfold (green field site with no amenities)

Scouts can also use other campsites like Little Acres, owned by Girlguiding Epsom.

Bentley Copse Activity Centre

Surrey County Scout Council manages Bentley Copse Activity Centre in the Surrey Hills. It's near the Hurtwood, a large woodland area for hiking and nature study. The centre has three accommodation buildings that sleep 62 people. It offers activities like air-rifle shooting, climbing, abseiling, archery, high ropes, and caving.

Walton Firs Activity Centre

Walton Firs is an activity centre for youth groups in Cobham, Surrey. It was owned by The Scout Association from 1939 to 2008. In 2004, it was decided to sell the centre. The Walton Firs Foundation bought it in June 2008. The 2007 Centenary celebrations were held here, with King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden visiting.

The site has three buildings for accommodation and indoor activities. Camping space is spread over 36 acres, with three camping pod villages. Activities include high and low ropes, climbing, caving, archery, and rifle shooting.

West Sussex Campsites

Unlike other counties, West Sussex Scouts don't have one main county campsite. However, many districts have their own campsites that can be used more widely:

• Beacon Hill (Horsham Scout district)
• Furzefields (Arundel and Littlehampton Scout District)
• Hillside (Adur Valley)
• Parkwood (Brighton and Hove Scout District in East Sussex)
• Stanford (Crawley Scout District)
• West Dean (Chichester Scout District)

While all offer camping, not all have indoor beds. Hillside, Beacon Hill, and Parkwood have indoor accommodation. West Dean and Stanford have buildings for indoor activities. Activities at these sites are generally limited. The county is also home to Hammerwood, owned by Lewisham Scout District in Greater London.

Scouts can also use Blackland Farm Activity Centre and Littlehampton Girlguiding Centre, both run by Girlguiding. Blackland Farm has indoor accommodation, camping, and adventurous activities like high ropes and kayaking. Littlehampton Girlguiding Centre is an urban centre for overnight stays.

Gang Shows

Many Gang Shows take place in the region. These are long-running shows that combine creative expression with fundraising.

In the north, Buckinghamshire has two Gang Shows: in High Wycombe (since 1986) and Milton Keynes (since 1990). Oxfordshire and Berkshire each have one. The South East Berkshire Gang Show started in 1970 and performs yearly in Bracknell.

Hampshire has four active Gang Shows:

• Basingstoke Gang Show (since 1980, every two years)
• Gosport Gang Show (since 1978, annually)
• Hedge End Gang Show (since 1964)
• Roverang (in Southampton, at the Nuffield Theatre)

The Winchester Gang Show started in 1955 but no longer runs.

In the south-east, Kent and Surrey each have two Gang Shows, and East and West Sussex have one each. Kent's shows are in Maidstone (since 1939) and Thanet (since 1946). Surrey's shows are in Epsom (since 1975) and Surrey Heath (since 2004). The shows in East and West Sussex are in coastal towns. East Sussex's show is in Hastings (yearly since 1966). West Sussex's show is in Worthing (every two years since 1967). The Brighton Gang Show ran from 1959 to 1996.