A Vision for the future
The Gilwell Park development is an exciting and ambitious project of a type rarely undertaken in the youth sector. The Scout Association is focused on the renewal of Gilwell to expand its facilities for Scouts and non-Scout groups, such as schools, colleges and youth groups from across the world.

Scouting at Gilwell Park is truly international
The activity centre itself relies on a volunteer team of activity instructors who have travelled from the across the world to work at Gilwell for up to year - often as part of a Gap Year. At any one time there may be up to twelve different nationalities represented on-site including Australia, Japan, France, Denmark and Chilli. The interaction between our visitors and this unique volunteer workforce offers incredible benefit; helping children and young people to meet people with different cultural backgrounds and learn about life and Scouting in other countries.

Investing in Gilwell Park’s future
For almost 100 years, Gilwell has provided Scouts with the opportunity to ‘learn by doing’. During 2010-11 we have seen a 20% increase in demand of our services across Scout groups, youth groups, schools and corporate business.

Most recently meeting this demand has been helped by generous donations from Peter Harrison and Jack Petchey to design and build two new accommodation lodges. The centre is supported by a number of Friends of Gilwell and Gilwell Associates who believe in Gilwell’s ability to develop and nurture children to become confident and inspiring young adults.

How your donation will be spent
Developing Gilwell Park to meet the needs of its existing and future visitors, as well as protecting its heritage for future Scouting generations is an ambitious project for The Scout Association. Our focus is on four major areas for development:
 

• Expansion of the site to offer more suitable accommodation for our international volunteers through a new International Staff Lodge
 

• The introduction of a Heritage Centre to celebrate Scouting’s history, enabling better access to our archive
 

• Re-development of Camp Square to provide a quality visitor experience and offer new indoor and outdoor activities for children and young people
 

• New accommodation lodges and ablution blocks to provide an excellent and comfortable camping experience for our visitors

The total re-development of Gilwell Park will cost in the region of £8 million. Work has already started on planning permission as well as architects providing plans and drawings of what the facilities could look like.