Scouting in South East England: Difference between revisions

There are also three student associations at various universities in the region, each of which is affiliated to the [[Student Scout and Guide Organisation]]. These are centred at [[Oxford University]] ([[Oxford University Scout and Guide Group]] - the oldest such organisation in the United Kingdom), the [[University of Reading]], and the [[University of Southampton]].<ref> [http://www.ssago.org.uk/clubs/england/ SSAGO England]</ref><ref> [http://www.ousgg.org.uk/history.html OUSGG History]</ref>

[[File:Royal Berkshire Scout County (The Scout Association).jpg|thumb|100px|County badge as worn on the uniform of Scouting members in '''Royal Berkshire''']]

Some aspects of Scouting are run cross-District, for example, Pang Valley and Reading Central have been running a shared [[Young Leader (The Scout Association)|Young Leader]] programme since late 2005, and the [[Explorer Scouts|Explorer Scout]] Units have been running joint activities and events, too.<ref> [http://www.reading-explorers.co.uk Reading Explorer Scouts]</ref>

* The ''1st Reading (YMCA) Sea Scout Group'' is one of the founding troops of 1908.<ref name="tsa_first_tps">{{cite web | title = The First Troops | publisher = The Scout Association | month = August | year = 2006 | url = http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs295303.pdf | format = pdf | accessdate = 2007-02-14}}</ref>

The most recent event took place in August 2009 and provided an international experience with seven days of adventure, challenge and fun with opportunities to work with others from across the world and build new and lasting friendships. This was a year later than normal due to the World Scout Jamboree taking place in 2007.<ref> [http://www.wings2009.org.uk WINGS 2009]</ref>

[[Image:scouts-uk-berkshire-county-slovex-waterfall.jpg|thumb|right|Members of '''Royal Berkshire''' resting whilst walking in '''Slovenia''']]

There was no expedition in 2007, because of the [[World Jamboree|World Scout and Guide Jamboree]].

Organised by Reading Central District Scouts in Royal Berkshire, the [[Three Towers Hike]] is a competition hike held around Easter following routes through West Berkshire and South Oxfordshire. Walking is primarily along the [[the Ridgeway]], although it does not take in the full distance. The event takes its name from the three water towers passed on the main route.

Participation is not limited to members of the Scouting Association.

Buckinghamshire Scout County is concurrent with the political county of [[Buckinghamshire]]. The County includes the towns of [[Aylesbury]], [[Buckingham]], [[High Wycombe]], [[Marlow, Buckinghamshire|Marlow]], and [[Milton Keynes]].<ref> [http://bucks-scouts.org.uk/ Buckinghamshire Scouts Website]</ref>

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East Sussex Scout County is divied into nine districts, with roughly 100 Scout Groups in total:

* Senlac

* 1st Ewhurst Scout Troop held their inaugural meeting on the lawn of [[Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell|Robert]] and [[Olave Baden-Powell|Olave Baden-Powell's]] home, Ewhurst Place, on [[1913-06-21]]. Olave was the Troop's Scoutmaster and the assistant Scoutmaster were Annie Court, housemaid to the Baden-Powells, and home's gardener. At the opening meeting, they used the [[Union flag]] that had flown over [[Mafeking]] during the [[Siege of Mafeking|siege of 1889-90]].

'''Hampshire Scout Country''' is the largest in the United Kingdom, and consists of 27 Scout Districts.<ref> [http://www.scouts-hants.org.uk/Portal/ Hampshire Scout County]</ref>

The 1st Lymington appears to the first Scout Troop in Hampshire in 1908. The 1st Eastleigh, 7th Bassett and 14th Highfield were formed in 1909. The [[Chief Scout]], [[Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell|Robert Baden Powell]] toured Hampshire Scout troops in 1910. At that time there were 2,965 members in 104 troops in 22 Local Associations. The Grand Rally at Southampton Common on 2 October 1912, attended by Baden Powell, was recorded on film now available in the Hampshire Archives.

The '''Isle of Wight''' is served by a single Scout County, divided into two districts:<ref> [http://www.isleofwightscouts.org.uk/index-2.htm Isle of Wight Scouts]</ref>

* West Wight District

[[File:Kent Scout County (The Scout Association).jpg|thumb|100px|County badge as worn on the uniform of Scouting members in '''Kent''']]

'''Kent Scout County''' is a Scout County of [[the Scout Association]] in the [[United Kingdom]], covering the county of [[Kent]].<ref> [http://www.kentscouts.org.uk Kent Scout County Website]</ref> It is divided into the following Scout Districts:<ref>[http://www.kentscouts.org.uk/pageview.php?menu_id=550 Kent Scout County Districts]</ref>

Every four years, Kent organises an international jamboree bringing scouts from all over the world to a location in the ocunty. The most recent was the gathering at The Shaws Guide campsite in [[Cudham]], near [[Sevenoaks]]. 2,500 members of the scout association camped together for a week during the 2009 jamboree. The next will be in 2013.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}

[[File:Oxfordshire Scout County (The Scout Association).png|thumb|100px|The current logo for Scouts Oxon]]

* Wychwood

'''Surrey Scout County''' is concurrent with the political county of [[Surrey]], and is divided into 19 districts:<ref> [http://www.surrey-scouts.org.uk/ Surrey Scouts]</ref>

* Woking

'''West Sussex Scout County''' is divided into 12 Scout Districts:<ref> [http://www.westsussexscouts.org.uk/index.php West Sussex Scouts Website]</ref>

== Campsites ==

'''Buckmore Park Scout Centre'''<ref> [http://www.buckmorepark.org.uk/index.html Buckmore Park Scout Centre]</ref> is a camping and activity centre located to the south of [[Chatham, Kent|Chatham]] in Kent. The site is run by the [http://www.medwaytowns.org.uk/ Medway Towns District Scout Council].  

Also located on the site is the [[Buckmore Park Kart Circuit]], although this is a separate business to the Scout Centre. The Buckmore Park sports complex on the site closed in April 2003 and went into administration in 2008. A buyer is being sought for the 260-acre site. The Scout Association said the local scouts had an existing lease on the site and would work with the new owners to secure a future for young people at the park.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/kent/7634492.stm Sports complex in administration]</ref>

'''Longridge Scout Boating Centre''' is a water activity centre and [[campsite]] on the [[River Thames]] near [[Marlow, Buckinghamshire|Marlow]] in Buckinghamshire. It was once owned by [[the Scout Association]] but it is now an independent Charity. The centre provides water activities such as Bell Boating, [[Dragon boat]], [[Canoeing]], [[Rowing (sport)|Rowing]], [[Sailing]], [[Kayaking]] and [[Powerboating]]. It also offers land based activities including [[Climbing]], Team Challenge Zones and [[Disc golf]].

Activities at Longridge are primarily aimed at young people, however when young people are not using the site, it is open to families and adult users. The Fire Service and Women's Olympic Rowing Team both train at the site. In addition they encourage local businesses to use the site for team development days.<ref> [http://www.longridge-uk.org/ Longridge Scout Boating Centre]</ref>

{{Main|Youlbury Scout Activity Centre}}

All three campsites are available to all members of the Scout Association for activities.

As well the Longridge Scout Boating Centre, Buckinghamshire Scout Association County is host to '''The Quarries Camping and Activity Centre'''  

In addition to Scouting activities, the Quarries also hosts many Girl Guiding camps and school parties during Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions.

'''Ferny Crofts''', in the [[New Forest]] near [[Lyndhurst, Hampshire|Lyndhurst]], is owned by the county. It provides camping facilities plus indoor accommodation and activities including climbing, shooting, archery and a [[zip wire]].<ref> [http://www.scouts-hants.org.uk/Portal/index.php?module=pagesetter&func=viewpub&tid=10&pid=1 Ferny Crofts]</ref>  In 2009 Ferny Crofts became a National Scout Activity Centre.<ref>http://scouts.org.uk/noticeboard/94/ferny-crofts-the-next-scout-activity-centre</ref>

Surrey Scout Association County manages two camp sites:

[[Scouting 2007 Centenary|2007 Centenary]] celebrations were held at Walton Firs, with [[Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden]] visiting during the camp.

The South East Berkshire Scout District started in 1970. It grew larger and moved to [[Camberley]] Civic Hall where it stayed until moving to the Wilde Theatre, [[South Hill Park]], [[Bracknell]]. A show is produced every year in February. The Gang consists of around 180 people.

The Brighton Gang Show began in 1959, and ran for 30 shows until 1996. Between 1959 and 1991 the show was staged at the [[Brighton Dome]].<ref> [http://www.brightonscouts.org.uk/news/brighton-scout-news/189-brighton-gang-show-reunion-25th-april-2009 Brighton Gang Show 2009 50th Anniversary Reunion]</ref>

*[[Scouting sections]]

*[[Scouting staff]]

*[[Girlguiding London and South East England]]

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[[Category:Scouting and Guiding in the United Kingdom|South East England, Scouting in]]