Gilwell Park news and information

Scouting supporters reconnect

05/03/2012 14:19:17

As a charity, donating and volunteering are the lifeblood of our organisation. Why not support your local group by making a small donation of time or money? You don’t have to be Alan Sugar to make a difference. In fact, giving up your time and skills is just as valuable as cash, and it’s a great way to make an immediate impact on your local community.

There are plenty of ways to make changes and get involved. Go to www.scouts.org.uk/volunteer for more information and to see how you can make a difference, or to donate go to www.scouts.org.uk/donate.

A positive difference

Not only can you make a positive difference with your time or money, but you can also make lifelong friends while engaging in direct action.

This month Scouting supporters gathered at our scenic Gilwell Park Conference Centre to reconnect with people who’d worked together on the World Friendship Appeal in 2007.

‘We chatted to a neighbour on our table and found that she had come from the Surbiton/Chessington area which was where we lived before we were married. We were able to swap stories about all the local scout groups and well-known names from the past,’ said Ann Broad, who runs the Calleva Lifesaving Club for guides and scouts in the Basingstoke area with her husband Michael.

In 2007 the World Friendship Appeal raised over £400,000 to help scouts from other countries attend the World Scout Jamboree in the UK. As Gilwell Park’s first Afternoon Tea event, the afternoon brought together 170 of these donors, giving them the opportunity to revisit the ‘friendship’ window at the CIC conference centre – a permanent legacy to the appeal.

If you'd like to attend one of our future supporter events, please let us know at 1stgilwellpark@scouts.org.uk.

New Activity Centres

07/06/2011 12:52:44

New Activity Centres

New activities this way

Two fantastic locations became part of the National Scout Activity Centre family in April 2011.

Great Tower in the Lake District and Woodhouse Park in South Gloucestershire offer a vast array of activities of all shapes and sizes. Archery, climbing, hiking, abseiling, canoeing, go-karts, rafting and more are now available for young people to take part in exciting outdoor activities.

Stunning location

‘There’s a lovely welcoming feeling you get when you arrive here,’ says Great Tower team member Sarah Latham. ‘There’s the sense that you have all this open space to explore and learn in.’

Great Tower is set in 250 acres, close to the shore of Lake Windermere, which makes it perfect for campers and explorers alike.

Woodhouse Park on the other hand, already boasts over 20 activities and there are plans to increase this,’. ‘It’s a very exciting time.’

Both sites are already very popular with Scout Groups and adventure-seekers in their area, and it is hoped that becoming a National Scout Activity Centre will raise awareness of the thrills, challenges and fun on offer.

UK Chief Commissioner Wayne Bulpitt said: ‘All our national centres provide members and non-members of all ages with access to quality outdoor experiences.

Find out more

Great Tower
+44 (0) 1539 531279
greattower.sac@scouts.org.uk

Woodhouse Park
+ 44 (0) 1454 613006
woodhouse.sac@scouts.org.uk

New Activity Centres

My Scouting story

08/04/2011 14:31:54

My Scouting story

My Scouting background has been the single most important influence in my life

I joined the Boy Scouts Association in 1940 as a 7 year old Wolf Cub, I received , I believe, the last King's Scout Certificate delivered two years after the death of the King since my National Service intervened, I 'retired' from Scouting at the age of 65 when I was the Chairman of Central Taunton Scout Group. I wear my 'Thanks Badge' with pride.

My old Scout Group were the 2nd Edmonton, and we have an Old Boys Association called the Nulli Secondus Gang ('second to none') . We are having our AGM and Dinner on 18th November. I, now 77, still love Scouting and have contributed to the Scouting for All movement in America.

My Scouting background has been the single most important influence in my life. It gave me a love of camping and hiking and lonely mountains in wild places. I have back-packed from Land's End to John O'Groats, and with my ex- Guider wife have climbed the Inca trail to Macchu Picchu, walked countless long distance trails in this country, and just two years ago climbed Kilimanjaro.

Life has been fantastic and I feel that I owe so much of it to the Scout Movement. The Scout Law and Promise have meant so much to me for the whole of my life. I am fortunate in still being fit and active, but would like to make a contribution to the Scout Association while I am still an active member of the human race.

Andy and Della Dickson