Scouting in South East England facts for kids

Scouting in South East England is all about the exciting activities and adventures offered by Scout groups in this part of the UK. The biggest group is the Scout Association, which has many young people and adult volunteers. There are also other traditional Scout 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.

The Scout Association Counties

Royal Berkshire Scouts: Fun and Adventure

Royal Berkshire Scout County covers the area of Berkshire. It offers Scouting to about 7,500 young people and adults. Towns like Newbury, Reading, Bracknell, Slough, and Windsor are all part of this county.

A team of volunteers leads the county, supported by a few paid staff. Scouting in Berkshire is split into eleven smaller areas called Scout Districts:

Some Scout activities, especially for older Scouts (14+), are run across different districts. The 1st Reading (YMCA) Sea Scout Group is special because it was one of the very first Scout groups, starting in 1908.

Royal Berkshire Scouts also have special teams for activities like mountaineering, climbing, archery, and shooting. Scouts from this county often go on international trips. Between 2016 and 2018, they visited 13 countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, and Norway. They also went to Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland.

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: A Big International Camp

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 enjoy many activities there and at nearby places like Dorneywood Scout Camp. The event has grown a lot, 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: A Challenge Walk

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 route mainly follows the Ridgeway. The event is named after three water towers along the main path. It's open to both Scouts and non-Scouts.

Buckinghamshire Scouts: Swans and Adventures

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.

Buckinghamshire Scouts is divided into ten districts:

The 1st Wolverton Scout Group in Milton Keynes is special because it was one of the first Scout groups in the UK, starting 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: Broadcasting Fun

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 and became Bucks Scout Radio in 2018, reaching more people. 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. They even hosted a county-wide "Camp at Home" in June 2020, where young people shared their camping experiences.

East Sussex Scouts: Coastal and Forest Fun

East Sussex Scout County covers East Sussex and the city of Brighton and Hove. It includes coastal towns like Eastbourne and Hastings, and other towns like Crowborough and Lewes. The county is led by County Commissioner Elaine Gausden and a team of volunteers.

East Sussex Scout County is divided into eight districts:

Brighton and Hove district has a long history, with the first troop starting in 1907. In 1910, the Chief Scout, Robert Baden-Powell, visited 400 Scouts there. The 1st Ewhurst Scout Troop is also special because it started in 1913 at the home of Robert and Olave Baden-Powell. Olave even acted as the Troop's Scoutmaster!

The county offers many events and supports its groups, including running the Broadstone Warren activity site. They also organise international trips, like Explorer Belt expeditions to places near Cologne and Rotterdam in 2018.

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

Hampshire Scouts: The Largest 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, with 18,599 young people and 7,405 adult volunteers.

A team of volunteers runs the county, focusing on youth programs and supporting adults. Hampshire Scouts also has paid staff for administration, growth, and running their activity centre, Ferny Crofts.

Besides Ferny Crofts, the county has many activity clubs, including mountaineering, archery, rifle shooting, caving, and bushcraft. The county is led by volunteer County Commissioner Martin Mackey.

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

Hampshire Scouts started in January 1909. In 1912, Chief Scout Robert Baden-Powell and his fiancée Olave St. Clare Soames attended the first Hampshire County Rally, where they saw 2,700 Scouts. This event was even filmed! Baden-Powell visited Hampshire many times over the years.

Hampshire Scout groups have been involved in new Scouting developments since the very beginning. The 1st Lymington and 1st Romsey Scout troops started in 1908. The Sea Scout branch, which focuses on water activities, began in Hampshire. The first Sea Scout troops, like the 6th Itchen South (Hamble) Sea Scout Group, started in 1910 after a special camp led by Baden-Powell on the Beaulieu River. In 1942, Avington Park hosted the first national Air Scout camp. More recently, groups in Hampshire helped test the Beavers section in 1982, before it officially launched. In 2019, the 13th Southampton group helped test a new section for very young children.

The county often holds large camps for all its members. Recent events include H007 in 2007, H0014 in 2014, and H0018 in 2018. They also run international trips every year, including Explorer Belt expeditions to Europe, visits to Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland, and community trips to Tanzania and The Gambia.

The uniform badge for Hampshire Scouts is a double red rose with a gold crown on a black background. This rose and crown have long been symbols of Hampshire.

Hampshire Scout Expeditions: Exploring the World

Hampshire Scout Expeditions (HSX) is a special group that organises international trips for Scouts in Hampshire, including older Scouts and adult volunteers. It started in 1986 and runs expeditions, often lasting 4–6 weeks, in countries around the world, including developing countries. Before these trips, members train in challenging areas of the UK like the Lake District.

HSX members have achieved amazing things. Between 2003 and 2006, HSX member Rhys Jones climbed the seven highest mountains on all seven continents, becoming the youngest person to do so. He climbed Mount McKinley at 17 and finished with Mount Everest on his 20th birthday in 2006.

In 2007, a team of HSX members called Sky High climbed Mount Everest. Three of them reached the top. Explorer Scouts from Hampshire also joined them at Everest base camp.

In January 2019, Hampshire Scout and HSX member Joe Doherty skied to the South Pole in Antarctica and kite-skied back. This was the first HSX trip to Antarctica. Joe has shared his experiences, including the mental challenges of the expedition, in talks and online.

Isle of Wight Scouts: Island Adventures

The Isle of Wight Scout County organises Scout groups on the Isle of Wight. Until January 2020, the island had two districts, but now the county manages everything directly. 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 volunteers.

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

A special event hosted by Isle of Wight Scouts is Revolution, an event for Explorer Scouts and Scout Network members from across the UK, focusing on themed activities.

Kent Scouts: Invicta Spirit

Kent Scout County covers Kent and the Medway Council areas. It is run by volunteers, led by County Lead Volunteer Nirav Patel. In 2019, Kent Scouts also had 16 paid staff. It is divided into 22 Scout Districts:

Kent Scout county has over 23,000 members, with about 17,000 being young people. They have county-level teams for water activities, land activities, and specialist themes 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 are among the first in the UK, starting in 1908.

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

Kent International Jamboree: Global Gathering

Every four years, Kent International Jamboree (KIJ) brings people from all over the world to Kent. They experience Kentish life and adventurous activities. KIJ 2021 was postponed to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was held at the Kent County Showground near Detling, with 3,500 Scouts and Guides camping together. The next KIJ is planned for 2025.

Oxfordshire Scouts: Spires and Rivers

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

A team of volunteers, led by County Commissioner Wendy Tatham, runs the county. They also have two Youth Commissioners to represent young people and a board of trustees. Three paid staff members help with administration, growth, and funding.

The county runs special groups like OxChefs (for cooking skills), Event Fairies (for event management), and First Aid teams. 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 in a shield shape. It includes a red Ox head on wavy lines (for the River Thames), representing Oxford, and a golden oak tree and wheat sheaf for the county's agriculture and woodlands.

Surrey Scouts: Lions and Big Events

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 large team of deputies and assistants. The county is divided into 18 districts:

The 4th Woking and 1st Weybridge groups are among the oldest in the county, appearing on the 1908 list of registered Scout groups. The 1st Weybridge claims to be the oldest, 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. The lion passant appears in the coat of arms of the Earls of Surrey.

Surrey Scouts runs many activity days and events for its members and Girlguiding members.

• Bazzaz is a fun activity day every three years for Beaver Scouts and Rainbows, with climbing, inflatables, and obstacle courses.
• SCRAM (Surrey Cubs Run Amok) is a fun activity day every three years for 2,500 Cub Scouts, with over 150 activities like quad bikes and zip wires.
• Scoutabout is a weekend activity camp 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.

• FrightEX24 is an annual 24-hour Halloween-themed activity camp, started in 2018.

Other events include KIX (expeditions to Kandersteg International Scout Centre) and Beavers Go Wild (an annual weekend for Beaver Scouts).

West Sussex Scouts: South Coast Scouting

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

The 1st Arundel and 4th Worth groups are among the oldest in the county, appearing on the 1908 list of registered Scout groups.

The uniform badge for the county is based on a simpler version of the coat of arms of West Sussex County Council. It has a blue shield with a gold band 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 Scout and Guide clubs at several universities. These clubs are part of the Student Scout and Guide Organisation (SSAGO).

You can find SSAGO clubs 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)

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

Campsites: Places for Adventure

The South East of England has many campsites and activity centres for Scouts. These places offer great opportunities for camping, outdoor activities, and training.

Royal Berkshire Campsites

Royal Berkshire has three campsites. Earleywood is the largest, while Paddicks Patch and 1st Burghfield & Sulhamstead Scout HQ offer simpler camping spots. All are open to members of the Scout Association.

Earleywood: Activities and Camping

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

Buckinghamshire Campsites

Braidwood: Outdoor Fun in the Chilterns

Braidwood Scout and Guide Activity Centre is in the Chiltern Hills. Buckinghamshire Scout County owns and runs it. Across its 14 acres, it offers camping, two buildings, and outdoor activities for Scout and Guide groups.

Longridge: Water and Land Adventures

Longridge Activity Centre is now run by an independent charity, helping all young people. It offers many water and land activities on its 12-acre site by the River Thames near Marlow. It has indoor accommodation, camping, and a cafe.

Activities include 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 and works with local schools and youth groups. Famous adventurer Steve Backshall is one of its supporters.

Paccar: Woodland Camping

Paccar Scout Camp is in the Buckinghamshire countryside, set 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 and is now owned by Greater London Middlesex West Scout County.

The Quarries: Northern Adventures

The Quarries Camping and Activity Centre is owned and run by Milton Keynes District Scouts. It's near Cosgrove on the northern edge of Milton Keynes. It has camping sites, indoor accommodation, an indoor air rifle range, an outdoor archery range, and Scoutcraft activities. It also hosts Girl Guiding camps and school groups.

East Sussex Campsites

East Sussex has four Scout campsites: Broadstone Warren (the county HQ), Bushy Wood in Hailsham, Parkwood in Brighton, and Kiteye in Bexhill-on-Sea.

Broadstone Warren: Forest Activities

Broadstone Warren Scout Site & Activity Centre is a 400-acre woodland camping and activity centre in the Ashdown Forest. It has been open since 1937. Since summer 2021, it has been part of the national Scout Adventure centres. It offers archery, indoor accommodation, a large tented village, a climbing tower, tomahawk ranges, pedal carts, a tunnel network, high and low ropes courses, and a 140-meter zip wire.

Bushy Wood: Youth Group Centre

Bushy Wood Activity Centre is for youth groups in Hailsham. Eastbourne Scout District runs it, and Buzz Active provides the activities. It has two accommodation buildings and two meeting centres, plus camping space.

Hampshire Campsites

Hampshire has several campsites for Scouts. Key centres include Ferny Crofts in the New Forest (Hampshire Scouts' headquarters), Lyon's Copse in Shedfield, and Runway's End in Farnborough. Other sites include Cranbury Park, Cricket Camp, Harry's Island, Pinsent Scout Campsite, and Wilverley Campsite. Girlguiding centres like Foxlease and Sandy Acres are also available for Scouts.

Ferny Crofts: New Forest Adventures

Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre, in the New Forest near Beaulieu, is owned and run by Hampshire Scouts. It offers camping, indoor accommodation in two lodges, and adventurous activities like climbing, high ropes, target activities, water activities, and bushcraft.

Lyon's Copse: South East Hampshire Centre

The Solent Scout Training Centre, known as Lyon's Copse, is a Scout activity centre in Shedfield. Five districts in the area own it. It has four accommodation buildings, including the modern Lyon's Lodge. It also features a climbing tower, low ropes course, indoor archery and rifle shooting range, a 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.

Corf is a 22-acre site for the Isle of Wight county. It's mostly wooded and has 30 camping spots, some in woodlands and some in fields. It's bordered by lakes, allowing for water activities. The site has buildings for indoor activities and accommodation, a climbing tower, and an adventure course. Purchased in 1937, it's also a Site of Special Scientific Interest with ancient woodland.

Kent Campsites

Kent has many campsites, often run by different districts. Some notable ones 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, a Site of Special Scientific Interest)
• Hamlet Wood near Maidstone (27-acre site with accommodation and climbing tower)
• Hopehill Campsite, Meopham (camping, accommodation, climbing tower on 20 acres)
• Lordship Wood near Horsmonden (23 acres of ancient woodland for traditional camping)
• Marshside Scout Camp near Minster-in-Thanet (camping and activities like climbing)
• Ross Wood Campsite near Herne Bay
• Shepherd Park Activity Centre, near Faversham (camping, buildings, rifle shooting, campfire circle)

Some Scout groups also have their own campsites. Scouts in the area 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 Scout Adventures centres.

Buckmore Park: A Woodland Site

Buckmore Park Scout Centre is a camping and activity centre south of Chatham. Scouts have used the site since 1953. After the M2 motorway was widened in 1995, the site was redeveloped.

New facilities opened in 2000, including a swimming pool, conference centre, and climbing tower. However, due to issues, the Scouts had to leave the main facilities in 2005. They returned to a 20-acre wooded area in 2007. 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.

Lower Grange Farm: Kent Scouts' Hub

Lower Grange Farm is the Scout Centre for Kent Scouts, located in Maidstone. It has been in use since 2009. It offers 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 were heavily involved in planning the site's development.

The site was bought as a derelict farm in 2009 and has been greatly improved. It was even featured on the BBC show Homes Under the Hammer. Chief Scout Bear Grylls visited in 2010. The climbing barn opened in 2014, and an archery range was built in 2016.

Oxfordshire Campsites

Oxfordshire is home to Youlbury Scout Adventures, a national Scout activity centre with over a century of history. 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: A Historic Scout Centre

Youlbury Scout Adventures is one of twelve Scout Adventure Centres in the UK, located west of Oxford. The Scout Association owns and operates it. 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 independently owned in 2008.

Surrey has smaller sites run by Scout Districts:

• Birchmere in Wisley (traditional site for scouting skills and camping)
• Boidier Hurst on Box Hill (11 separate sites and a multi-purpose building)
• Garner's Field in Tilford (7-acre camping field, brick centre, climbing, archery, shooting)
• Jordan Heights in Reigate (two camping fields, a wooden building, shooting, archery, bouldering)
• Park Farm in Banstead (Long Barn activity building, Round Barn for training, climbing wall, indoor archery and shooting)
• Polyapes (23 acres of camping and woodland, two buildings with accommodation)

Some sites are more basic, like Bourne Copse near Virginia Water (5-acre woodland with no activities or indoor buildings), Ranmore Campsite on Ranmore Common, and Roverdene Campsite in Chaldon. White Beeches in Dunsfold is a green field site with no amenities except water. Scouts can also use Girlguiding sites like Little Acres.

Bentley Copse: Surrey Hills Adventures

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

Walton Firs: Youth 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 2008, the Walton Firs Foundation bought it. The 2007 Centenary celebrations were held at Walton Firs, with Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden visiting.

The site has three buildings for accommodation and indoor activities, sleeping 4, 24, and 34 people. There are also three camping pod villages. Activities include high and low ropes, climbing, caving, archery, and rifle shooting.

West Sussex Campsites

West Sussex Scouts don't have a county-managed campsite, but many districts have their own. These include Beacon Hill (Horsham), Furzefields (Arundel and Littlehampton), Hillside (Adur Valley), Parkwood (Brighton and Hove), Stanford (Crawley), and West Dean (Chichester). Some offer indoor accommodation, while others are for camping only. The county is also home to Hammerwood, owned by Lewisham Scout District in Greater London.

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

Gang Shows: Talent on Stage

Many Gang Shows take place in the South East. These shows are a great way for Scouts to express their creativity and raise money.

In the north, Buckinghamshire has two gang shows: in High Wycombe (since 1986) and Milton Keynes (since 1990). Oxfordshire has one gang show (since 1951), and Berkshire has one. The South East Berkshire Gang Show started in 1970 and performs at the Wilde Theatre in Bracknell. It involves about 180 people and is produced every February.

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 (based in Southampton at the Nuffield Theatre)

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

In the south east of the region, 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, every two years) and Surrey Heath (since 2004).
• East Sussex's show is in Hastings (since 1966, yearly).
• West Sussex's show is in Worthing (since 1967, every two years).

The Brighton Gang Show ran from 1959 to 1996.

See also

• Scouting sections
• Neighbouring areas:
  • Scouting in South West England
  • Scouting in Greater London
  • Scouting in East of England
  • Scouting in the East Midlands
  • Scouting in West Midlands
• Girlguiding Anglia
• Girlguiding London and South East England