Our Strategy to 2035
Place to belong
Our Strategy to 2035 will help us keep the focus on what we do best - giving young people a place to belong and giving them the skills to thrive.
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Four days of adventure at the birthplace of Scouting.
Friday 21st August – Monday 24th August 2026
We are very excited to be taking our Cubs, Scouts and Explorers to Brownsea Island — the birthplace of Scouting.
This page contains the key information parents and young people need before we set off, including travel arrangements, programme information, kit list, food, medical reminders and communications.
This section can be updated as camp approaches with final reminders, weather updates, any travel changes and our expected arrival time back at Loughton on Monday.
The easiest way to keep up to date before and during camp is by joining the dedicated parent WhatsApp group.
The group will be used for travel reminders, last-minute updates, arrival confirmation on Brownsea, occasional photographs where practical, and return journey updates.
Please keep discussion to camp-related matters so that important information is easy for everyone to find.
The group will return together by ferry to Poole, train to London Waterloo, Jubilee Line to Stratford, then Central Line back to Loughton.
Young people should be collected from Loughton Underground Station. Leaders will post updates to the WhatsApp group once we are on the return journey.
Every young person should be able to carry all of their own equipment. Please pack light and ensure everything is clearly named.
All main meals, drinks and snacks will be provided throughout the camp, apart from lunch on Friday during the journey.
Young people should either bring a packed lunch or bring enough money to purchase lunch during the journey. Please also bring a filled reusable water bottle.
We would love everyone to contribute something for our evening snack table.
Please bring one packet of biscuits, cakes or similar treats to share and hand them to a leader when you arrive at the campsite.
Ideas include biscuits, cakes, muffins, traybakes, doughnuts or individually wrapped treats.
One of the wonderful things about camping on Brownsea Island is that we are guests in a nationally important wildlife reserve. Red squirrels, peacocks, rabbits and many other animals roam freely around the campsite.
They are naturally curious and have an excellent sense of smell, so even a packet of biscuits or a chocolate bar left in a tent can attract unwanted visitors.
Please do not keep any food in sleeping tents. This includes sweets, chocolate, biscuits, cakes, fruit, crisps, snacks, soft drinks and juice. Plain drinking water is absolutely fine.
Leaders will store shared snacks safely and bring them out for everyone to enjoy together.
By following this rule we keep wildlife wild, keep sleeping areas clean and safe, share treats fairly, and help protect one of the UK’s most special Scout campsites for future generations.
If your young person requires medication during camp, please ensure it is clearly labelled with their name, dosage and instructions.
Medication should be handed to a leader at the start of the trip, not kept in a young person’s bag or tent. Leaders will record medication administration during camp.
Please tell the leadership team as soon as possible if any medical information, dietary needs or emergency contact details change before departure.
Young people may bring a mobile phone if parents wish, but phones remain the responsibility of the owner and should not be used during organised activities.
Leaders cannot guarantee charging facilities. Routine updates will be shared through the parent WhatsApp group.
Full Scout uniform, comfortable walking shoes and a waterproof available in their bag.
Yes. A small amount is enough for lunch during travel or souvenirs if the opportunity arises.
Yes, but this is still traditional Scout camping, so everyone should expect basic facilities and outdoor living.
Activities will continue wherever it is safe to do so. Waterproofs and warm layers are essential.
No. Food attracts wildlife and must not be stored in sleeping tents. Plain water is fine.
Updates will be posted in the Brownsea Parents WhatsApp Group, especially travel updates and our ETA back to Loughton.
Brownsea Island is where Scouting began over 100 years ago, and we are excited to give our Cubs, Scouts and Explorers the opportunity to experience this special place together.
See you at Loughton Station at 09:30 on Friday 21st August!
Our Strategy to 2035
Our Strategy to 2035 will help us keep the focus on what we do best - giving young people a place to belong and giving them the skills to thrive.
Find out more