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300,000 Scouts under canvas at once

17th May 2000

300,000 Scouts are hoping for non-traditional Bank Holiday weather at the end of the month (26-29 May) as they prepare for the biggest camping weekend in Scouting's history.

There will be camps in every part of the UK. They will range from a single Scout Troop camping in their favourite field, to countywide events involving thousands of people.

"We are marking the Millennium in a variety of ways but camping remains the single most popular activity amongst our young Members so we decided to mark the new century in style," says Richard Butler, National Commissioner for Scouts and the man leading the planning team. "Two years ago we announced that the entire UK Movement was being invited to camp simultaneously over one weekend and now we are on-course for the biggest camp of all time," he added.

Each and every Member of the Scout Movement, along with parents and friends, is being encouraged to spend the weekend outdoors. During the event, they will take part in a wide range of activities designed to reflect the new Millennium. The main highlight will be at 20.00 hrs on Saturday 26 May, when everyone has been asked to mark the Millennium with an activity based on the theme of light.

Scouts have also raised over £300,000 for local charities though sales of the special Millennium Badge being worn by Members on their uniforms. or look at: ScoutBase's Millennium Pages (http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/2000/index.htm)