Scouting in South East England: Difference between revisions

'''Scouting in South East England''' is about [[Scouting]] in the official region of [[South East England]]. The largest membership is represented by [[the Scout Association]] of the [[United Kingdom]], while there is also a presence of [[traditional Scouting]] groups, such as the [[Baden-Powell Scouts' Association]].

The Scout Association administers the region into 9 [[Scout Counties]].

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>

==The Scout Association Counties==

===Royal Berkshire Scout County===

'''Royal Berkshire''' is a Scout County concurrent with the [[ceremonial county]] of [[Berkshire]], and provides Scouting opportunities for 7,500 young people and adults in the area. The County includes the towns of [[Newbury, Berkshire|Newbury]], [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]], [[Slough]] and [[Windsor, Berkshire|Windsor]], and their immediate environs.<ref> [http://www.berkshirescouts.org.uk/ Berkshire Scouts Website]</ref>

====Notable Scout Groups====

WINGS is a major event which is open to all Scouts and Guides aged 10 to 25 in all parts of the world, and is normally held every 5 years in the County. It is a collaboration with Royal Berkshire Scouts and [[Girlguiding Royal Berkshire]]. Participants camp in [[Windsor Great Park]], where many of the activities also take place. Other nearby sites are also made use of, such as Dorneywood Scout Camp and Wraysbury Lake.

====International Expeditions====

*2004 - [[Slovenia]] - a multi-activity camp in the [[Yugoslavia|former Yugoslav republic]]

*2005 - '''Slovenia''' - a return to the [[Eastern European]] country, but specifically for completion of the [[Explorer Scout#The Explorer Belt|Explorer Belt]]

*2006 - [[Spain]] - a multi-activity camp

====Three Towers Hike====

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.

===Buckinghamshire Scout County===

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>

===East Sussex Scout County===

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

* Brighton

====Notable Scout Groups====

* 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 County===

===Isle of Wight Scout County===

===Kent Scout County===

'''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>

The Loose + Swiss Scout Group in the Maidstone South District was started in 1908 by Jack Barcham Green a local Maistone business man.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}

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}}

===Oxfordshire Scout County===

===Surrey Scout County===

'''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>

===West Sussex Scout County===

===Buckmore Park Scout Centre===

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===

'''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]].

With a very good safety record, Longridge is recognised amongst activity centres as being a leading training centre for young people and their leaders. It as an approved [[British Canoe Union]] centre and RYA (Royal Yacht Association) training centre. Each year the team at Longridge run a large number of courses ranging from basic beginner skills right through to advanced coaching and instruction.

===Youlbury Scout Activity Centre===

'''Youlbury Scout Activity Centre''' is one of the four [[Scout Activity Centre (The Scout Association)|Scout Activity Centres]] operated by The Scout Association across the United Kingdom, and is located to the west of [[Oxford]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.scouts.org.uk/nationalcentres/|title= Scout Activity Centres|accessdate=2007-08-18 |publisher= The Scout Association}}</ref>

Youlbury is the oldest permanent Scout campsite in the United Kingdom, and acted as the National Headquarters when [[Gilwell Park]] was commandeered by the [[British Army]] during [[World War II]].

=== Buckinghamshire===

===Hampshire===

'''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===

==Gang Shows==

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.

==See also==

==References==