Information for

Camps, activities & kit

 

How often do you go camping?

As often as possible!  We try to make sure that everyone has the option to attend at least one "nights away" event per year, and we aim to run more events if we can.  As you move up through the sections you will get the chance to go on more and longer camps!

 

How much do camps cost?

The cost of camp varies as it it depends on where we're going and what we’re doing.  In general, a weekend camp at one of our local campsites will cost around £30 - £45.

If you'd like to come on camp but you're concerned about the cost, then please speak to your leader in confidence - we don't want the cost of activities to be barrier to people taking part.

 

Where do you go for camps & activities?

We go to a number of different places for camps and activities, most places are only accessible by car.  If needed we'll provide directions as part of the activity information.  Directions & maps for some of the sites we use frequently are available by clicking on the links below:

• Ennerdale Scout Centre (used for camps and evening activities)

• Branthwaite Scout Camp (used for some camps)

• Scarness (used for Scout water activities evenings in summer)

• Lowther Plantation (used for some Scout troop night meetings)

 

I've lost my camp forms and information - can I download another set?

Specific forms and letters can be downloaded from your section's page in the Download area of the website.  General permission forms and kit lists can be downloaded from here.

 

What kit do I need to bring for camp & activities?

This'll depend on what we're doing, and when and where we’re doing it!  We'll let you know what you need for a specific camp or activity in plenty of time before we go. If you're looking for a general guide there are generic kit lists for camping, walking and water activities available from the Downloads page.

Don’t bring your latest designer clothes and shoes for camps or activities, your parents won’t appreciate them coming back covered in mud or full of holes from the camp fire!

If you’re a Scout who likes getting wet and muddy (or just has a natural ability for finding a bog in a desert even if you didn’t mean to) then please bring extra changes of clothes on top of the kit list!

 

Do I really need everything on the kit list?

Short answer – yes!  Our kit lists are based on many years of experience of running activities and camps. We know that warm, dry Scouts tend to be happy Scouts who’ll enjoy their activities and get the most out of their adventure, and our kit lists are based on this! 

If you have questions about specific items of kit or the amount of kit required in general, then please speak to the leader in charge of the activity.

 

What about safety or specialist equipment?

Generally we will provide any specialist or safety equipment needed for an activity (for example buoyancy aids or helemets for water activities). If you need to bring anything other than personal clothing - we'll tell you.

 

I'm thinking of buying some new kit - can you give me some advice?

If you’re thinking about buying new kit, please speak to your leaders - we’re always happy to give you advice based on our experiences (and we'd much rather you asked than buy something that isn't going to do the job).

We're working on some handy guides to choosing (and looking after) the most important bits of kit that you'll need as a Scout, and we'll hopefully have them uploaded to the website soon!

 

Where can I get kit?  Does anyone do discounts for Scouts?

Any good outdoors shop should be able to help kit you out.  Make sure you ask the staff for help and advice, particularly with buying things like boots.

It's worth asking about discounts for Scouts wherever you go, but these shops will definitely give discount on full-price items if you take your Group necker with you:

• Millets in Whitehaven (20 King Street, Whitehaven, CA28 7LA; 019467 60655)

• Cotswold Outdoors (our nearest stores are Carlisle or Keswick)

 

Is my kit insured?

Unfortunately not - The Scout Association does not provide insurance for personal effects, equipment or clothing.

 

Can I bring electronic gadgets?

In general we don't allow electronic gadgets at Scouting activities - and you'll be too busy having fun to want to use them! (Plus, wet/muddy Scouting activities tend to be bad news for expensive technology and we don't provide insurance for personal items.)

That said, if you want to bring a camera to capture some of the excitment that's normally OK - but please don't bring a top of the range DSLR!

 

Can I bring a knife?

If you're a Beaver or a Cub then we're sorry but the answer's no!  (But we might bring knives for you to use under supervision if it's appropriate.)

For Scouts, if we haved trained you how to use knives safely then you may bring a pen knife. We recommend a good quality Swiss Army style knife or a fixed-blade sheath knife, though remember shorter blades are generally more useful. If in doubt about the suitability of the knife please ask.

Your knife should be packed in your main kit bag for travelling and it should stay in your kit bag unless you've been told you can use it.  There may be some camps where we ask you not to bring knives or to hand them to a leader for safe keeping - please follow these instructions.

Warning: Bringing your own knife to camp and using it is a privilege. We trust you to be sensible with knives and to use them in the way we teach you.  Knives will be banned from camp if Scouts break the rules we set or start to misuse their knives.

If you have more specific questions, ask a Leader.

 

What about food?

We will tell you what food you need to bring - if any.

For a one-day activity you will normally need to bring a packed lunch, drink, and possibly some snacks.  On camps, we normally provide all of your meals.  (Although, we might ask you to bring a packed lunch or tea so you've got something to eat on the first day whilst we're travelling or setting up camp.)

Camp food is good, it might not be Michelin Star cooking but its normally pretty tasty and there's pleanty of it.  The menu varies from camp to camp but a typical menu for a weekend camp might look like this:

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