Answering questions on camping, hiking and days out

Camping

We have had many queries from parents who are maybe new to camping, about what the procedure is and what equipment they or their child(ren) need to bring with them. This page will hopefully answer many of these questions.

Please keep an eye on the ‘Events’ area of Online Scout Manager (OSM). When camp places are open emails will be sent out.
The length of the camp varies between sections. Beavers tend to attend camps/sleepover on a day visit or a 24 hour visit. Most of our camps are for Young People only and leaders. We do welcome parent help, but please contact the section leader to discuss. This will need to be done far enough in advance in order to complete the required paperwork and training.
For family camps parents are actively encouraged to attend as Young People are unable to attend without a parent/s. Family camp is also open to any siblings.  At the family camp children will be the responsibility of the parent on that camp. For family camps you will need to provide you own tent. Sometimes family camp also comes with indoor accommodation – however, these are ‘dorm’ style rooms with bunk beds, and you may have to share with another family. It is worth checking with us, as we may have a spare tent that you can use.

When information on a camp is available, it will appear on OSM. Please accept attendance online.

When you confirm attendance, please check that MEDICAL AND CONTACT DETAILS are correct on OSM as we use this to generate our list. By accepting attendance on OSM, this you giving your child Permission to Camp. This, as the name suggests, officially gives permission to the camp leader for your child to go on camp and also authorises the camp leader to deal with any minor medical issues on camp or if the child needs to be taken to hospital, be able to sign any documentation required by the hospital authorities.
Sometimes we do need to get additional permissions and you will be given a form to complete. This will happen if we take part in an ‘risked’ activity. For example air rifle shooting. If you child requires MEDICATION TO BE ADMINISTERED whilst they are on camp, please download and complete the ‘Medical Consent Form’ that can be found further down on this page.

With regards to what to bring on camp, this will vary slightly depending on the time of year and what activities are due to take place. However a typical personal equipment list can be found here. Have a look at the links further down for full information/lists.
It is most important that your child is equipped with good quality wet weather gear (not a showerproof jacket). This must be at a minimum a cagoule and preferably also over trousers.Also important is the correct footwear, trainers are worse than useless if it is wet and some of the sites can quickly turn into a bog if the rain is heavy or prolonged. Ideally your child should have good quality walking boots (although these can be expensive, particularly if your child may get limited use out of them) or wellingtons. Talk to other parents, they may have suitable footwear which their child has just outgrown and that have hardly been worn. The sleeping bag should be at least 3 season. It does not have to be expensive, just be prepared for it to be a bit bulky and heavy.

To carry it all in we would recommend that you get a rucksack of no more than 60 litres in size. This will probably appear to be ridiculous for a Beaver or small Cub, but this will be sufficient to take you right the way through the Scout Troop.

Other equipment such as tents, groundsheets and cooking equipment will be supplied by the Group.


Kit list

 


General forms


Camp Sites

Tolmers Scout Camp & Activity Centre
Tolmers Road, Cuffley, Herts, EN6 4JS
01707 872900

Phasels Wood Activity Centre
Rucklers Lane, Kings Langley, Herts. WD4 9NA
01442 252851
Travelling to Phasels – information here

Paccar Scout Camp (Chalfont Heights)
Denham Lane, Chalfont St. Peter, Bucks, SL9 0QJ
01753 882640
Travelling to Paccar – information here

Belchamps Scout Activity Camp
Holyoak Lane, Hawkwell, Hockley, Essex, SS5 4JD
Travelling to Belchamps – information here

Leeswood Activity Centre
Fir Tree Hill, Chandlers Cross, Herts, WD3 4LY
01923 233281

Wayland Scout Campsite
Wayland Campsite, Old Harrow Ln, Buckhurst Rd, TN16 2HR
Travelling to Wayland – information here

The Walter Davies Scouting Centre
Duffield Lane, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL2 4AL
Travelling to Walter Davies – information here


Activities

Bury Lake
Rickmansworth Aquadrone, Frogmoor Lane, Hertfordshire
Postcode for sat nav: WD3 1NB


Useful Links

Harrow District

Greater London Middlesex West

Scout Association

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