Camping and Adventure 2014 by The Scout Association

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HOW TOE PLAN THAMP PERFECT C ideas 11 pages of inside

s ivity centre t c a d n a s e sit to UK camp Your guide

1st Wardle’s

CAMP CHECKLIST

4–6 months before Q set date for camp Q find, visit and book campsite Q notify Scouts Q collect deposit Q pay deposit Q ensure all helpers have relevant criminal records checks Q plan programme 6 weeks before Q give out permission forms Q collect balance Q pay balance Q check permits are valid Q send out notes to Scouts for monies, including kit list and permission form Q plan wet weather/contingency activities 2 weeks before Q complete Nights Away Notification Q produce kit list for Quartermaster Q allocate tasks: transport, kit, menu, pitching tents etc Q collect permission forms Q note any dietary requirements Q plan and order food Q produce kit list Few days before Q send out directions Q collect funds from Treasurer to pay for activities Q assemble and prepare kit Q print out programmes and documentation Q complete contact lists and drop-off Day of camp Q load vehicles Q pitch tents Q start camp End of camp Q strike tents Q clean and pack kit (label items needing repair) Q clean facilities Q transport and unload kit Q thank everyone involved After camp Q collate photos, share them online and hold a slideshow at your HQ Q get feedback and bear in mind for next time

So excited!

cut out and keep!

Be prepared

Welcome to Camping and Adventure 2014, designed to help you plan your Scout camps for the coming year. Inside you’ll find a handy directory of camp facilities across the UK (from page 9). Use the key on page 9 to discover what each venue has to offer and help you choose the best one to suit you. From page 4 we’ve gathered a wealth of expertise from successful camp organisers, including insight into homesickness and keeping young people occupied, as well as fab planning tips and rainy day ideas. We’ve also included a regional directory of campsites as well as kit roundups and more. We hope you’ll find this an invaluable resource to get you started arranging an amazing camp experience that will keep Scouts developing, learning, having fun – and coming back for more.

CONTENTS 4 5 7 8 9

Plan a great camp Choosing a campsite Campfire recipe Weatherproof your camp Directory

scouts.org.uk/magazine

The fun star ts

Camping and Adventure 2014 Editor: Anna Scrivenger Contributors: Norma Brandon, Adam Davies, Katie Farnish, Daniela Giannini, Emily McCunn, Stuart McDermott, Laura McLemon, Lyndsey Nassim and Margaret Wright © 2013 The Scout Association Registered Charity Numbers 306101 (England and Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland) Published by The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, London E4 7QW Tel: 0845 3001818 Website: scouts.org.uk/magazine Camping and Adventure 2014 is published by Immediate Media Branded Content, 9th Floor, Tower House, Fairfax Street, Bristol BS1 3BN Advertising Manager Tom Parker tom.parker@immediate.co.uk Tel: 0117 3148781

Camping and adventure 2014

How to…

PLAN A GREAT CAMP

How to deliver an experience that young people will enjoy and remember

core activity in Scouting, camps are designed to encourage skills, personal development and independence in young people via fun and challenging activities away from home. It takes time and hard work to pull off a successful camp, but the memories will last a lifetime. The range of options available is huge – from residential weekends in warm, comfortable buildings to campsites with ready-pitched tents, right through to wilderness camping and bivouacs. There’s a camp for every purpose – but they’ll all develop Scouting skills.

Steps to camp success

By day, Norma Brandon is a busy project manager, dealing with

multi-million pound IT projects. In her spare time, she is Akela at 1st Wardle, and has organised dozens of camps for them. ‘I need something to bring me back to the real world,’ she says. ‘My strengths include team building and people management, which I use to make great camps for my Cubs. They get so excited it’s infectious – it ripples out to my leaders too!’ She themes her Cub camps and packs them with activities, leaving no opportunity for boredom or homesickness to set in.

Structuring time

‘A busy Scout is a well-behaved Scout,’ says Adam Davies, a leader at 3rd Canvey Island Scouts – and while routine is key to helping young people feel secure, a good programme

also needs to be flexible. ‘You need a plan A, B and C’, he says. ‘We plan in off-site visits as well as a schedule of organised games to harness their team spirit.’ Norma and the Scout leader at 1st Wardle, Margaret Wright, plan actionpacked days around the facilities and activities available, and fit them into their current challenges. Although Norma allows younger sections no free time at all, she does schedule in time to sit down and recharge. For older sections, unstructured time is important for building confidence. As Adam says: ‘you need to allow older Scouts time to explore and relax.’ Margaret’s Scouts help set up camp, and chores are interspersed with wide games and activities, ending with a campfire or quiet time each night. December/January 2014

Camping and adventure 2014

OP TIP

T drive, ‘If it’s a long ding il bu t ou ab k thin s into st co el leaders’ fu ’ e. the camp fe on d n ra B Norma

How to choose a campsite

Picture: Thinkstock

Volunteer Adam Davies shares his tips

Camping gives young people a chance to challenge themselves in an environment away from home

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TIME OF YEAR As a rule of thumb the colder it is, the more indoor facilities you’ll need. GROUP SIZE Will you all fit? DISTANCE For a weekend camp look within an hour’s drive; explore further if you have more time. EQUIPMENT How ‘away from it all’ do you want to get? Some camps have fully equipped kitchens or ready-pitched tents, allowing a focus on activities. PROGRAMME What additional activities are available? What off-site activities are on offer near camp? Think about what challenges you are working on.

Advertising feature

! N I h W t of r o w ing £500 appe 61 OS m g ee pa – s outing of Sc azine mag

Find yourself Understand your surroundings on camp with Ordnance Survey’s range of maps You wouldn’t dream of heading off to camp without knowing how to pitch your tent, would you? Good preparation is important for your camping trip, and so is knowing what to expect once you’re there. That’s where Ordnance Survey’s mapping comes in handy – helping you get where you’re going and find the best spot to pitch camp. Our popular OS Explorer Maps at 1:25,000 scale show all the detail you need for camping trips and navigating, whether it’s a short hike or multi-night expedition. You can see exactly what the land is like before you get there. Explorer maps show footpaths and bridleways as well as contours and water features. These trusted maps are used by outdoor

6 SCOUTING

enthusiasts all over Great Britain and cover the entire kingdom. OS Explorer maps are ideal for learning the navigation skills required for the Navigator Activity Badge. If your navigation skills are a bit rusty, Ordnance Survey has videos, at ordnancesurvey. co.uk and on the Ordnance Survey YouTube channel, featuring wildlife filmmaker and TV presenter Simon King who helps you get the best out of your maps. If you are heading off to camp somewhere new, OS Landranger maps at 1:50,000 scale are perfect for providing an overview of the local area. It’s good to know how far it is to the shops if you need to fetch milk first thing in the morning. Both Landranger and Explorer maps

come in an Active format, coated to make them showerproof and longer lasting, whatever challenges (and weather) you face. And you can even create a map with your campsite right in the middle; our custom-made maps put you in charge. Simply choose the centre point of the map, give it a title – and you or your Group can even star on the cover by uploading your own photograph. Ordnance Survey maps are an essential part of your camping trip kit. So remember to pack a map – whatever else the weather and the trip throws at you, you’ll be prepared!

ordnancesurvey.co.uk December/January 2014

Camping and adventure 2014

2014 ATES

P D 14 SAC CAp:M 10–12 January 20 Wintercam 22 June 2014 Fundays: 21 and July 2014 Gilwell 24: 11–13 ov 2014 Scarefest: 1–2 N p 2014 Intense: 12–14 Se 9 Oct 2014 JOTA–JOTI: 18–1 Exchange: Scouting Skills 27–28 Sep 2014

Keeping young people occupied and engaged builds confidence as well as skills

Tackling homesickness

Keeping Scouts busy is key to keeping homesickness at bay, but there are other things you can do, too. Laura McLemon, of Scout Activity Centres, understands that homesickness is a common challenge. ‘It tends to kick in at bedtime – the first chance anyone has had to think about home, the dog, their bed, teddy… and suddenly a wave of homesickness hits.’ It can take the form of crying, lashing out, clinginess, withdrawal and other behavioural changes, but Laura advises a ‘triangle of techniques’ to try: divert (‘perhaps talk about things they’ve enjoyed over a cup of hot milk’); challenge (‘talk them through their feelings and what would make them feel better’); or ignore (‘leave them and give them

space to think things through, but keep an eye on them’). ‘Restricting mobile phone use is a good idea’, adds Adam. ‘When a young person is homesick, phoning home is not the answer. Teamwork and support are.’ Adam encourages parents to send letters to camp instead, and Scouts to send postcards back. For Norma, maintaining a familylike structure can also help. She assigns a tent leader to each six, ‘like a mum on camp – only better,’ as one Cub put it.

Involving young people

‘We involve our Scouts in planning the camp, which not only empowers them but ensures they know what to expect from the routine,’ says Adam. Laura suggests ‘involving young people in choosing

‘The best thing about camp is being in our tents all night with no grown-ups’ 1ST WARDLE CUB

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Irish stew

Feed 20 hungry Scouts for £25 with Norma Brandon’s camp favourite

• Onions – 3lb • Diced lamb – 4 to 5lb • Potatoes – 10lb • Carrots – 20 • Sweet potato – 6 • Pearl barley – 1 packet • Optional vegetables and herbs – eg mushrooms, thyme or bay • Ground pepper • Bread and butter – 2 sliced loaves, to serve 1 Peel and dice all vegetables. 2 Sweat the onions, then brown off the lamb in batches. 3 Add everything else, cover with boiling water and cook in a covered pot over a low heat for at least three hours.

Camping and adventure 2014

Organised activities help establish a sense of camaraderie

the objective, date, theme and activities and planning the detail for risk assessments, menus, finance, transport and kit. Allowing them to plan can be hugely enriching.’ At camp, giving them the responsibility of looking after their own kit and personal and site hygiene is also important. Laura adds that creating a Group-led code of conduct is effective for camp discipline. The skills they learn are a key part of empowerment. ‘We find that the Scouts develop as individuals,’ Adam says. ‘When they have no outside influences, just the daily challenge of camp to contend with, many develop in confidence and maturity. They realise how capable they’ve become in what was an alien environment.’

Enjoying the great outdoors

Although indoor facilities are widely available, outdoor camps offer an authentic back-to-nature experience and a chance to develop greenfield camp and survival skills. ‘We love unspoiled locations and having the ability to set up a functioning camp community and leave no trace afterwards,’ says Adam.

‘Every day we use practical skills such as using axes and saws, knots and lashings; how to construct camp fridges and wet pits, and store and prepare food hygienically.’ 1st Wardle arrived at their 2013 annual camp to find they had to earn their kit as they went along, so they spent the first night sleeping under bivouacs and eating with homemade implements, and won rewards from there. Whether your camp is out in the wilderness, under canvas or indoors, it’s important to keep Scouts engaged. ‘We guide them,’ says Adam, ‘but they learn by doing things for themselves – and it earns them badges.’

More info

Scout Activity Centres can help you put together a great camp programme. Check out the resources (including kit lists, campfire menus and lesson plans) at scouts.org. uk/sac/resources. For fun ideas try Facebook (facebook.com/ ScoutActivityCentres), or email sac@scouts.org.uk for help.

Weatherproof your camp Top tips from Scout Activity Centres

• Scouts should bring wellies or waterproof walking boots. • On chilly nights, sleep in a woolly hat or hoodie with the hood up. • Stuff wet walking boots with newspaper overnight to dry out. • Wear dark colours to absorb heat and help keep you warm. • String wet clothes up between tents if dry or inside tents if raining. You can also dry damp clothes under your sleeping bag using your body heat. • Use heavy-duty binbags to store wet things. • Have a wet-weather list of activities and nearby attractions or venues such as caves, castles and museums that you can use as a plan B. December/January 2014

Camping and adventure 2014

Your guide to the best UK sites

25 23 22

31 30 29 26 27

3 4 1

2 9 8

19 20 16 18

10 7 1511 17 14 13

9 North 10 Central 11 South 13 Scotland 14 Wales 15 Northern Ireland

KEY Survival camping Campfires Indoor activities Trails/hiking/walking Evening activities Team-building/training Swimming Caving Outdoor/environmental activities Climbing/ropes National governing body courses Water activities

Adjacent to Cannock Chase, Beaudesert offers indoor accommodation for two to 24 people with camping for over 1,500. The mix of instructed and self-led activities offers rounded programme material. Open: All year round (except Christmas) Price (per person): from £4.41 Maximum group size: 1,500 Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: Black Country Museum; Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 01543 682278, www.beaudesert.org

Hesley Wood Activity Centre, South Yorkshire

Friendly and experienced staff are available to assist with programme planning and advice. Programme-on-a-plate events for all sections. The site also has a wide range of on-site adventurous activities to suit every Group. Open: All year round Price (per person): From £4.55 Maximum group size: 2,000 Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: Alton Towers; Peak District 01785 813407, kibblestone.org

SCOUT ACTIVITY CENTRE

Great Tower, Cumbria

Camping in 132 acres of fields and woodlands. Friendly and experienced staff provide a wide range of on-site water sports and adventurous activities. There are facilities for people with disabilities, modern amenities and a shop. Open: All year round Price (per person): From £3.50 Maximum group size: Any Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: Peak District National Park; National Mining Museum 0114 2467912, hesleywood.org.uk

Gradbach Scout Camp, Derbyshire

Kibblestone International 4 Scout Camp, Staffordshire

Gradbach Scout Camp is a ‘natural playground’, offering unrivalled access to the Peak District National Park and all the adventurous activities it offers, along with 20 individual camping areas across a 45-acre site along with farmhouse and cottage accommodation. Open: All year round Price (per person): £3.50 (camping) / £8–9 (indoor) Maximum group size: 100 Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: Alton Towers; climbing and walking in the Peak District 01298 78737, gradbachscoutcamp.org.uk

Close to the shore of Lake Windermere, the centre offers woodland to explore and rocky crags to climb, as well as all sorts of activities and Ultimate Adventure programmes. Open: All year round Price (per person): From £4 Maximum group size: Any Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: The World of Beatrix Potter; Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry 01539 531279, scouts.org.uk/sac SCOUT ACTIVITY CENTRE

Hawkhirst Scout Activity Centre, Northumberland

Explore the wilderness of northern Europe’s largest man-made forest, with a climbing tower, abseiling and aerial runway, Jacob’s Ladder, low ropes course and an Ultimate Adventure programme. Open: All year round Price (per person): From £4 Maximum group size: Any Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: Kielder Castle; Leaplish Waterside Park 01434 250217, scouts.org.uk/sac

‘Every Thursday, on Facebook, Scout Activity Centres posts a Scouting Skill you might like to learn about on your camp.’ Katie Farnish, SAC 9

North

CAMPSITE DIRECTORY 2014

Beaudesert Park, Staffordshire

Central

Camping and adventure 2014

Belchamps Scout Centre, Essex

This 30-acre campsite, with 20 campgrounds and five accommodation blocks, hosts a large range of activities and events. Offers fully catered packages, full activity programmes, tented village, local attractions, Scout uniform outlet and souvenir and camping shop. Open: All year round Price (per person): from £3.50 Maximum group size: 1,500 (camping) Indoor accommodation: Yes, five buildings with 130 beds, plus tented villages Nearby: Southend Pier and beaches; Adventure Island Fun Park 01702 562690, belchamps.org.uk

Eaton Vale Scout & Guide Activity Centre, Norwich

Set in 13.5 acres of beautiful Norfolk countryside, Eaton Vale offers a broad range of indoor, outdoor, environmental and training activities for Groups to tackle. These include archery, abseiling, crate stacking, go-karting, catapult pioneering, geocaching, ice climbing and more, so there’s plenty to keep Scouts entertained and occupied. Accommodation ranges from tented village to woodland pitches to indoor bedrooms. Open: All year round Price (per person): From £5 per day (Norfolk Scouts) and £6 per day (other Scouts) Maximum group size: Please enquire Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: Norwich Castle; BeWILDerwood Adventure Park 01603 501228, eatonvale.co.uk

‘Short of camping equipment? Liaise with your nearest music festival. Festivalgoers often abandon tents and kit at the end of a festival, and charities may be allowed to salvage it.’ Norma Brandon 10

Hautbois Activity Centre, 9 Norfolk Hautbois rests on the edge of the T FOR Norfolk Broads in 28 acres GREA ting Boa of stunning countryside and comprises a 45-bed residential centre, five campsites and a brand new yurt village, as well as their own cut accessing the River Bure. Plus 20 on-site activities including abseiling, climbing, kayaking, raft building and woodland skills. Open: All year round Price (per person): Various activity packages Maximum group size: 500 Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: Norfolk Broads; Norwich 01603 737357, hautbois.org.uk

Skreens Park Activity Centre, Essex

Just outside Chelmsford lies 60 acres of fantastic camping with a good range of activities including kayaking and rafting on a one-acre lake. Great hiking and quality facilities. Paddle power courses available. Open: All year round Price (per person): From £3.50 Maximum group size: 3,000 (camping) Indoor accommodation: Three buildings with 78 beds Nearby: Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre; Hylands Park 01245248235, skreenspark.org.uk

Thriftwood Scout Campsite and Activity Centre, Essex

Braving the winter

Weather needn’t stop camping adventures. Each January, over 3,000 Scouts, Guides and leaders brave the bleak midwinter – even heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures – to take part in Wintercamp at Gilwell Park and Hawkhirst, sleeping under canvas. By day they enjoy over 50 adventurous activities to keep warm, including the traditional campfire. The camp has caught the attention of local and national news stations, including the BBC, who were impressed with the young people’s hardiness. Wintercamp 2014: 10–12 January, wintercamp.org.uk

Winter kit

Keep cold at bay with these winter warmers from Vango

Over 30 on-site activities from a demolition zone and dry toboggan run to ice climbing and laser tag. Accommodation options include 36 secluded woodland sites, three pack holiday centres and a tented village; there are two cooking huts and an education room, plus modern facilities, including good access for people with disabilities, and a souvenir shop. Open: All year round Price (per person): From £4 (camping) Maximum group size: Any Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: River kayaking; Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker 01277 212784, thriftwood.org.uk

Sabre Tent, from £160 Good storage, a sturdy structure and a waterproof stuff sack – all vital to winter camping. The Sabre also boasts a patented Tension Band System for stability. Venom, from £120 Down provides the best insulation for a night under the stars, and this sleeping bag has lots of insulating features. Trek Mat, from £25 Create a barrier between you and the cold ground. Vango recommends a mat that covers the length of your body to ensure that your head and feet are protected from the cold ground at night. Left to right: Sabre Tent, Venom, Trek Mat; Vango.co.uk

December/January 2014

Camping and adventure 2014

Combines a youth work philosophy with outdoor education to offer coasteering, rock climbing, caving, bushcraft and more. No accommodation. Open: All year round Price: £125 (half day) / £190 (full day) per 8 people Maximum group size: Any Nearby: Dartmoor; Torbay’s beaches 07816 889633, adelong.co.uk T FOR GREA , caves s k c o R liffs and c

Broadstone Warren, East Sussex

Woodland glades within Ashdown Forest host a range of activities and training courses. Open: All year round Price: Ask for details Max group size: 1,500 (camping) Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: Ashdown Forest; Winnie-the-Pooh country (including Pooh Bridge) 01342 822573, broadstonewarren.org.uk

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SCOUT ACTIVITY CENTRE

Downe Scout Activity Centre, Kent

South

Adelong Outdoor Education, Devon

Cutting-edge kit

We’ll all be using these in the future

Only 16 miles from central London, Downe has delivered adventure for over 80 years and boasts a new high ropes course, Jacob’s Ladder, leap of faith, high all aboard and crate stacking. Campdowne international camp is held here. Open: All year round Price (per person): From £4 Maximum group size: Any Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: Biggin Hill Airport; Down House, historic home of Charles Darwin 01959 572121, scouts.org.uk/sac

Luminaid, £19.95 This solar-powered inflatable lamp packs flat and turns into a lightweight, waterproof lantern. Sugru, £10.99 Fix anything with this waterproof, self-setting rubber. Brunton Freedom Solar Charger, £49.99 This efficient USB solar-powered charger uses daylight to charge phones and gadgets.

Felden Lodge, Hertfordshire 15

Left to right: Luminaid, Sugru, Solar Charger; scouts.org.uk/shop

Set in 32 acres with a large camping field, selfcatering building and full-board in the main house, plus lots of activity centres nearby. Open: March to October Price (per person): £4 Maximum group size: 100 Indoor accommodation: Yes

South

Camping and adventure 2014 Nearby: Lee Valley White Water Centre, Warner Bros Studio Tours 01442 288557, feldenlodge.co.uk SCOUT ACTIVITY CENTRE

Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre, Hampshire

31 acres of woodland located in the New Forest, offering activities including abseiling, zip wire and backwoods cooking. Open: All year round Price (per person): From £3.75 Maximum group size: Any Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: Beaulieu Palace and Motor Museum; Buckler’s Hard Maritime Village 023 8084 5092, scouts.org.uk/sac SCOUT ACTIVITY CENTRE

Gilwell Park Scout Activity Centre, London The ‘home of Scouting’ on the edge of Epping Forest is set in 108 acres of beautiful

woodland, with excellent facilities, lodges, camping and over 30 amazing on-site activities to choose from. Open: All year round Price (per person): From £4 Maximum group size: Any Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: London; Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park; Royal Gunpowder Mills 0208 498 5300, scouts.org.uk/sac

Pleasant Streams Farm Camping, Cornwall

SCOUT ACTIVITY CENTRE

Woodhouse Park, Gloucestershire Set in 36 acres of woodland with 23 exciting activities and a traditional outdoor focus. Open: All year round Price (per person): From £4 Maximum group size: Any Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: The Cotswolds; Bath; Bristol 01454 613006, scouts.org.uk/sac SCOUT ACTIVITY CENTRE

Close to the coast, Pleasant T FOR GREAndy Sa Streams is a relaxing rural site es beach featuring a pretty lake and an abundance of wildlife, as well as a smallholding of farm animals. Open: Flexible Price (per person): From £10 per pitch Maximum group size: Negotiable Indoor accommodation: Two caravans. Nearby: The Eden Project; coastal kayaking 01726 74837, cornwallfarmcamping.co.uk

Youlbury Scout Activity Centre, Oxfordshire Set in 42 acres of woodland with new-built 36bed lodge and two more planned, plus camping. Open: All year round Price (per person): From £4 Maximum group size: Any Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: Science Oxford; Oxford University 01865 326264, scouts.org.uk/sac

December/January 2014

Camping and adventure 2014

Clyde Region Scout Council’s site in Central Scotland offers 128 indoor beds, plus camping space and over 30 exciting activities. Open: All year round Price (per person): From £5.20 (camping) Maximum group size: 1,500 Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: Rock climbing and kayaking around Loch Lomond and the Trossachs; Glasgow 01360 770256, auchengillan.com

Bonaly Outdoor Activity Centre, Midlothian

At the foot of the Pentland Hills, Bonaly offers lots of activities on and off-site, plus indoor

and camping facilities, log cabin, bushcraft village and two tipis, all spread across 26 acres. Open: All year round Price (per person): From £4 Maximum group size: 200 in main field Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: Edinburgh; Go Ape 0131 441 1878, bonaly.org.uk

Fordell Firs, Fife

Covering 48 acres including camping areas, woods, rock outcrops and a rainy-day room.

Open: All year round Price (per person): From £3 Maximum group size: 750 campers Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: Scottish Scouting HQ in Dunfermline; Deep Sea World 01383 412704, fordellfirs.org.uk

The Lochgoilhead Centre, 24 Argyll Based in the West Highlands, the T FOR centre provides a large number GREAntains ou M kes of water and land activities, and la including the popular burn running (canyoning) as well as sailing, power-boating and canoeing. National governing body training and awards, and Scout authorisations are also on offer. There are more activities within walking distance. Open: From March to November Price (per person): No camping. Catered activity weekends in dorms from £55. Maximum group size: 152 Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: Swimming pool; pony trekking; boat hire; an all-weather five-a-side pitch 01301 703217, lochgoilhead.org.uk

‘Vegetarian sausages and burgers are less likely to go off and are safer to cook and store than the meat alternatives.’ Katie Farnish, SAC

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Scotland

Auchengillan Outdoor Centre, Scotland

Wales

Camping and adventure 2014

Meggernie Outdoor Centre, Perthshire

Enjoy panoramic Highland views across Scotland’s longest R O F T GREAerness Wild nture glen; part of the 37,000-acre adve Meggernie and Lochs Estates. DofE, Queen’s Scout and Explorer Belt expeditions take place here. A turfed five-person shelter provides overnight accommodation with a difference. Open: All year round Price (per person): £3.80 Maximum group size: 400 Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: The Scottish Crannog Centre Iron Age dwelling; river plunge pools 01887 866231, meggernie.org.uk

Pro-Active Adventure, Gwynedd

Maximum group size: 80 Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: Whitewater rafting; caving 01588 630123, proactive-adventure.com SCOUT ACTIVITY CENTRE

Yr Hafod, Snowdonia A licensed mountain training venue offering training courses and qualifications, plus an Ultimate Adventure programme. No camping. Open: All year round Price (per person): £30.60 (half day activities) Maximum group size: 80 Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: Snowdonia; mountain railway 0118 981 0009, scouts.org.uk/sac Yr Hafod

Safety kit

Conquer the elements with these innovations from Vango

1W Red Eye Headtorch, £15

50 lumens of light and a flash to make yourself more visible, plus red light for map reading in the dark. Storm Shelter, from £25 To take shelter quickly, a 3000mm hydrostatic head and reflective strips can make this a real lifesaver when the weather turns bad. Classic Walking Pole, £9 With anti-shock to help absorb impact when trekking, easing the strain on joints. Left to right: Headtorch, Storm Shelter, Walking Pole; Vango.co.uk

A residential activity centre with activity breaks and outdoor education. No camping. Open: All year round Price (per person): £30.60 (half day activities)

December/January 2014

Camping and adventure 2014

Situated in a wooded glen by the River Cladagh with a kitchen, GREAT FOdR s an Rock ers drying room, main hall, campfire riv circle, toilets and showers, including disabled facilities. Open: All year round Price (per person): From £5 Maximum group size: 80 Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: Caving; rock climbing; canoeing 07773 058 744, cladaghglen.com

Tipperary Wood Campsite, Co. Down

Newcastle in beautiful County Down. Booking is for private use of the whole campsite. Open: All year round Price (per person): £2 (subject to £25 minimum charge). Maximum group size: 100 Indoor accommodation: No Nearby: The seaside town of Newcastle; pony trekking; abseiling and canoeing 028 4372 2512, scoutsni.com SCOUT ACTIVITY CENTRE

Crawfordsburn, Co. Down

A two-acre site on the banks of the Shimna River, set at the foot of the Mourne Mountains and within easy walking distance of

Just 10 miles from Belfast and three miles from Bangor, Crawfordsburn Scout Activity Centre offers caving, climbing, canoeing and sailing. Open: All year round Price (per person): From £4

Maximum group size: 800 Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: Belfast; Ark Open Farm 028 9185 3307, scouts.org.uk/sac

Ardnavally Scout Centre, Belfast

Located in the leafy suburbs of Belfast, Ardnavally has a number of campsites across a 10-acre woodland site. Close to the Lagan Valley, it provides a good base for a wide range of activities. Open: All year round Price (per person): £4 Maximum group size: Any Indoor accommodation: Yes Nearby: Titanic Belfast; indoor climbing at Belfast Activity Centre 028 9069 4161, ardnavally.com

‘Collect everyone’s photos together and host a post-camp slideshow evening. Invite parents along, give out the slideshow on DVD and use the evening as a chance to recruit adult volunteers for the next camp.’ Norma Brandon

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N. Ireland

Cladagh Glen Scout Centre, Co. Fermanagh