Scout Activity Centre
Encyclopedia
A Scout Activity Centre is a campsite
, hostel
or conference centre of The Scout Association
. They offer outdoor facilities and activities for the whole of the Scout Association and, in some cases, for other organisations. The campsites typically have capacity for hundreds of Scouts simultaneously, including buildings, camping pitches, fire places, etc.
The Scout Association has always owned numerous campsites and other buildings. They were mostly run by local groups or departments. In 2004, the Scout Association reduced their number of nationally administered Scout Activity Centres from some twenty to four, by divesting sites to the entities that are locally involved. There are now six National Scout Activity Centres:
Two sites, Great Tower in the Lake District
and Woodhouse Park near the mouth of the River Severn
became national centres on 1 April 2011.
, London
, which was built as a tribute to Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting. From 1974 to 2001, Baden-Powell House was the headquarters of The Scout Association.
Gilwell Park, as well as being a Scout Activity Centre and Scout Conference Centre, is both a national and international Leader Training Centre. As Scout Leader
s from all countries of the world have come to Gilwell Park for their Wood Badge training, it is one of the landmarks of the world Scouting
movement. It is now the headquarters of The Scout Association.
in the Lake District National Park
and the Cumbria Scout Association County. The site covers an area of 250 acres (1 km²).
in Kielder Forest
in Northumberland
.
crossings. The site has five large camping fields, and two buildings which can be used for accommodation or training purposes. Woodhouse Park offers a large range of activities, either on site or nearby. Site hosted activities include Abseiling
, Pioneering, Tracking
, Climbing
, Archery
, and Air Rifles
. Off-site activities include Sailing
, Kayaking
, and Caving
.
. It is the oldest permanent Scout campsite in the world.
Campsite
A campsite or camping pitch is a place used for overnight stay in the outdoors. In British English a campsite is an area, usually divided into a number of pitches, where people can camp overnight using tents or camper vans or caravans; this British English use of the word is synonymous with the...
, hostel
Hostel
Hostels provide budget oriented, sociable accommodation where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed, in a dormitory and share a bathroom, lounge and sometimes a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex, although private rooms may also be available...
or conference centre of The Scout Association
The Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
. They offer outdoor facilities and activities for the whole of the Scout Association and, in some cases, for other organisations. The campsites typically have capacity for hundreds of Scouts simultaneously, including buildings, camping pitches, fire places, etc.
The Scout Association has always owned numerous campsites and other buildings. They were mostly run by local groups or departments. In 2004, the Scout Association reduced their number of nationally administered Scout Activity Centres from some twenty to four, by divesting sites to the entities that are locally involved. There are now six National Scout Activity Centres:
Two sites, Great Tower in the Lake District
Lake District
The Lake District, also commonly known as The Lakes or Lakeland, is a mountainous region in North West England. A popular holiday destination, it is famous not only for its lakes and its mountains but also for its associations with the early 19th century poetry and writings of William Wordsworth...
and Woodhouse Park near the mouth of the River Severn
River Severn
The River Severn is the longest river in Great Britain, at about , but the second longest on the British Isles, behind the River Shannon. It rises at an altitude of on Plynlimon, Ceredigion near Llanidloes, Powys, in the Cambrian Mountains of mid Wales...
became national centres on 1 April 2011.
Baden-Powell House
Baden-Powell House is a Scouting hostel and conference centre in South KensingtonSouth Kensington
South Kensington is a district in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London. It is a built-up area located 2.4 miles west south-west of Charing Cross....
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, which was built as a tribute to Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting. From 1974 to 2001, Baden-Powell House was the headquarters of The Scout Association.
Downe Scout Activity Centre
Downe Scout Activity Centre was originally a camp site for Scouts from London, being controlled from 1987 by Greater London South East Scouts. In 2005, the site became one of the National Scout Activity Centres under the direct control of The Scout Association.Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre
Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre in Hampshire is a new centre, having being recognised as one only recently. Located in the New Forest it contains 23 campsites, 3 accommodation units and many activities.Gilwell Park
Gilwell Park, as well as being a Scout Activity Centre and Scout Conference Centre, is both a national and international Leader Training Centre. As Scout Leader
Scout Leader
A Scout Leader or Scouter generally refers to the trained adult leader of a Scout unit. The terms used vary from country to country, over time, and with the type of unit.-Roles:...
s from all countries of the world have come to Gilwell Park for their Wood Badge training, it is one of the landmarks of the world Scouting
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
movement. It is now the headquarters of The Scout Association.
Great Tower Activity Centre
Great Tower Activity Centre is located on the eastern shore of WindermereWindermere (lake)
Windermere is the largest natural lake in England. It is a ribbon lake formed in a glacial trough after the retreat of ice at the start of the current interglacial. It has been one of the country’s most popular places for holidays and summer homes since the arrival of the Kendal and Windermere...
in the Lake District National Park
Lake District National Park
The Lake District National Park is located in the north-west of England and is the largest of the English National Parks and the second largest in the United Kingdom. It is in the central and most-visited part of the Lake District....
and the Cumbria Scout Association County. The site covers an area of 250 acres (1 km²).
Hawkhirst Scout Activity Centre
Hawkhirst Scout Activity Centre is a Scout Activity Centre on the shore of Kielder WaterKielder Water
Kielder Water is a large artificial reservoir in Northumberland in North East England. It is the largest artificial lake in the United Kingdom by capacity and it is surrounded by Kielder Forest, the largest human-made woodland in Europe. It was planned in the late 1960s to satisfy an expected rise...
in Kielder Forest
Kielder Forest
Kielder Forest is a large forestry plantation in Northumberland, England, surrounding the reservoir Kielder Water. It is the largest man-made woodland in Europe...
in Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
.
Woodhouse Park
Woodhouse Park is sited in South Gloucestershire overlooking the SevernRiver Severn
The River Severn is the longest river in Great Britain, at about , but the second longest on the British Isles, behind the River Shannon. It rises at an altitude of on Plynlimon, Ceredigion near Llanidloes, Powys, in the Cambrian Mountains of mid Wales...
crossings. The site has five large camping fields, and two buildings which can be used for accommodation or training purposes. Woodhouse Park offers a large range of activities, either on site or nearby. Site hosted activities include Abseiling
Abseiling
Abseiling , rappelling in American English, is the controlled descent down a rock face using a rope; climbers use this technique when a cliff or slope is too steep and/or dangerous to descend without protection.- Slang terms :...
, Pioneering, Tracking
Tracking (Scouting)
Tracking is a Scouting activity which involves laying a trail or following a trail laid by others. A trail is a series of signs, largely comprising directions, which are laid on the ground. Tracking also involves interpreting bird language to better understand relevant changes in baseline and if...
, Climbing
Climbing
Climbing is the activity of using one's hands and feet to ascend a steep object. It is done both for recreation and professionally, as part of activities such as maintenance of a structure, or military operations.Climbing activities include:* Bouldering: Ascending boulders or small...
, Archery
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
, and Air Rifles
Air gun
An air gun is a rifle , pistol , or shotgun that fires projectiles by means of compressed air or other gas, in contrast to a firearm, which burns a propellant. Most air guns use metallic projectiles as ammunition. Air guns that only use plastic projectiles are classified as airsoft...
. Off-site activities include Sailing
Sailing
Sailing is the propulsion of a vehicle and the control of its movement with large foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to move the boat relative to its surrounding medium and...
, Kayaking
Kayaking
Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking and canoeing are also known as paddling. Kayaking is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle...
, and Caving
Caving
Caving—also occasionally known as spelunking in the United States and potholing in the United Kingdom—is the recreational pastime of exploring wild cave systems...
.
Youlbury Scout Activity Centre
Youlbury Scout Activity Centre is a Scout Activity Centre near OxfordOxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
. It is the oldest permanent Scout campsite in the world.