The 41st Epping Forest Scouts in Loughton, Essex is the largest Scout group in Loughton and one of the largest across the Epping Forest District. Each week, our brilliant volunteer team delivers fun, adventurous and active programmes for over 100 young people.
Scouting is a mixed-gender youth organisation, open to everyone. Young people of all genders learn side-by-side, gaining skills for life and taking part in activities that build confidence, resilience and friendships.
We meet at Loughton Methodist Church, but our members come from across Loughton, Debden and surrounding areas, representing a wide mix of ethnicities, faiths, no-faith backgrounds and young people with disabilities. We work to make Scouting welcoming, accessible and inclusive, so every young person feels they belong.
To join us, simply complete our Young Person Information Form. This allows us to add you to our waiting list or, if space allows, place you straight into Beavers, Cubs, Scouts or Explorers. Once the form is submitted, a volunteer will be in touch within a few days.
Most young people join at the start of term — Autumn (September), Spring (January) or Summer (April). Our Membership Secretary processes moves and new starters at the end of each term. Please remember we’re unpaid volunteers, but we will get back to you.
We welcome young people aged 6 to 18 across:
Beavers: 6–8
Cubs: 8–10½
Scouts: 10½–14
Explorer Scouts: 14–18
Young people are placed in the most suitable section for their age and stage.
Scouting at the 41st Epping Forest (Loughton) costs around £12 per month, covering our meeting place and weekly programme. Trips, camps and activities are charged separately. There is a £25 joining fee for your 41st T-shirt, necker, shaft and first badges. We never want money to be a barrier across Loughton, Debden or the wider Royal Forest / Epping Forest area. Support is available if needed
Yes. We want every young person to take part fully. We plan ahead and make reasonable adjustments for visible and hidden disabilities, health conditions or additional needs. If support is required, please complete an Individual Support Plan (ISP). This may include needs around sleeping, eating, anxiety, medication, mobility, sensory processing or behaviour. Sharing reports is optional but can help us understand how best to support your child.
Most sessions run at Loughton Methodist Church, but we’re often out in the community from Epping Forest, Gilwell Park, Fairmead Campsite and Chigwell Row, to adventures further afield, including London.
Yes. Scouting has been fully mixed-gender since 2007, and all sections welcome girls and boys equally across Loughton and the Royal Forest area.
Waiting times vary by section. We’ll contact you as soon as a place becomes available. If a section has a waiting list, adults may want to consider how they could help out as a volunteer. Extra volunteers often mean we can offer more places for young people.
An explorer, adventurer and TV presenter, Dwayne's been seen in BAFTA nominated Channel 5 series Race to the Pole, on BBC Springwatch, Countryfile, National Geographic and Disney+.
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