;

13th February 2004

Statement from Chairman,
Committee of the Council
The Scout Association
13 February 2004

The Committee of Council has agreed a strategy to develop four campsites in England as "centres of excellence". It is intended that this strategy will contribute to the long-term provision of high quality residential and camping opportunities for members of the Movement and support the centrality of camping and outdoor activity within our youth programme.

The Committee's vision is that these centres of excellence will:

• offer first class activity and residential facilities.

• provide a range of visitor packages and progressive learning experiences for young people.

• be "shop windows" for Scouting in the local community and, through Scouting and external partnerships, support the development of young people in the wider area.

The first phase of the strategy has been a review of the "Headquarters owned" campsites. There are currently 14 of these, which, with the exception of Gilwell Park and Hawkhirst, are leased to and operated by Counties and Districts. This review first started when several existing operators approached Headquarters with a view to returning the sites, as they were unable to make the necessary level of capital investment, or have the manpower to run them. Rather than look at each site in isolation, Headquarters wished to consider the wider strategy.

The Headquarters sites are located in three identifiable geographical areas: North of England; Home Counties North and Home Counties South. The Committee has agreed initially to develop one centre of excellence in each of these three areas, in addition to Gilwell Park.

Following detailed research, including external validation and analysis of all available information, the campsites to be developed in this way are:-

• North England - Great Tower, Windermere, Cumbria

• Home Counties North - Youlbury, Oxfordshire

• Home Counties South - Downe, Orpington, Kent

In selecting these sites, the Committee considered the location and future strength of the sites rather than just their current facilities. Site-specific plans and management arrangements for these three sites are now being discussed with relevant stakeholders. Initial meetings have been held with representatives of all 14 sites to discuss the options available to them.

In order to implement this strategy it will be necessary to make significant further investment in the three sites. To this end a National Campsite Fund has been established to raise revenue from the sale or more commercial leasing terms of the other sites. We recognise that the short-term implications for some of these sites are significant and we remain committed to working together to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome.

The implementation of this strategy is likely to take a number of years. At some point in the future, and based on our experiences, it would be our hope to develop further centres of excellence in other parts of the United Kingdom, and also to discuss ways in which other Scout owned sites may participate in the project.

This is an exciting opportunity in the continuing development of our Movement's facilities for young people; the external image of Scouting; and what the Movement has to offer those who choose to become members and to other young people.

We will continue to update you on our progress as the project is implemented.

John Asplin
Chairman, Committee of Council

Question and Answer Brief: Scout Activity Centres and Campsite Strategy

Overview

There are known to be over 700 places in the UK available for Scout camping that are directly connected to Groups/Districts/Counties or Areas.

Camping skills lie at the heart of the Movement's activity programme. There can be few, if any, Scout Groups where access to a local campsite to undertake basic camping is a major problem.

The Trustees of The Scout Association have agreed a strategy to develop four campsites in England as "Centres of Excellence" for Scout activities including camping. These sites will also be developed to offer day and residential opportunities to non-Scouting youth groups and schools.

The strategy seeks to direct funding and resources into strategically located sites offering enhanced camping facilities and activities enabling Leaders to offer an even wider range of opportunities and challenges to young people.

Q. Which sites are initially impacted by this decision?

Those Headquarters owned campsites leased to Counties and Districts

• Broadstone Warren
• Bradley Wood
• Chalfont Heights
• Downe
• Earleywood
• Frylands Wood
• Great Tower
• Kingsdown
• Longridge
• Phasels Wood
• Perry Wood
• Tolmers
• Walton Firs
• Youlbury

Headquarters owned and operated campsites

• Gilwell Park

Headquarters leased and operated campsites

• Hawkhirst

Q. I've heard that all of those sites not selected as Centres of Excellence are to close in October 2004, is this true?

No. Discussions are being held with each of the sites to discuss a range of options which include purchase or leasing by the existing operator (County or District), return the site to Headquarters or continue under the terms of their existing lease. It therefore follows that some of the sites will continue as campsites and that Members should continue to book with their selected sites unless told otherwise by that site.

Q. You say that camping is central to our programme, and yet you wish to close and sell a number of sites. How are these two statements reconciled?

Camping is central to our programme, and basic camping skills lie at the heart of the Movement's activity programme. There are known to be at least 700 Scout campsites in the UK, and probably many more. There can be few, if any, Scout Groups to whom access to a local campsite to undertake basic camping is a major problem To continue to ensure that campsites will meet the demands and expectations of our Members into the future we must start to plan. The Committee of the Council is taking the lead in this.

To help us understand what will be required in the future, we used a wide-ranging market research report, sampling both Members and non-Members. The use of our facilities by non-Members is also a very important part in showing what Scouting has to offer, and it helps to fund better facilities for our Members.

Moreover, while we have seen a steady decline in the number of Scout "camper nights" over the past 20 years, by contrast we have also seen growth in the number of adventurous and activity centres offered by commercial providers that have proved very popular with organised groups. We needed to understand why. Additionally, "going camping" is still rated by Scouts as one of the activities they like most.

Our research showed that many Scouting sites will require significant capital expenditure over the next few years to continue to offer safe, attractive and quality opportunities. We need to start now to ensure that over the next decade we begin to build a network of centres that can provide an even higher quality of camping, residential and day activity experiences to Members and non-Members. These centres, together with County and District campsites, will help us to provide the widest choice of provision.

Q. Why are you developing just four sites across England?

Naturally, we would like to develop more sites in the longer term. However, in the short term we need to be realistic and accept that we do not have unlimited access to funding. This first phase is also designed to demonstrate to others the benefits of investing in provision of the 'outdoor experience' whilst fulfilling our objective of developing and supporting young people.

It is acknowledged that the geographical location of these sites may not provide an appropriate level of coverage for all members in the UK for short weekend breaks. In later phases of the project we hope to address this by developing further sites and working in partnership with other Scout operated sites that meet the standards set for Centres of Excellence to widen access to what Scouting can offer young people.

Q. Isn't this just selling some of the family silver to swell the general reserves?

No. The decision explicitly requires that all proceeds from the sale or leasing of the sites be only used for investment into the Centres of Excellence. We are therefore only using the proceeds to enhance further the benefit of the outdoor experience for young people. To achieve this, we have established a designated reserve, The National Campsite Fund.

Gilwell Park is subject to a separate development and fundraising initiative and no proceeds from the sale of any of the sites will be used for the Gilwell re-development. We are simply using those assets we have more efficiently, and for the greater benefit of young people in offering the widest choice of provision of activities and accommodation.

Scout Association
Gilwell Park, Chingford, London E4 7QW
13/2/2004