Action-packed 40th Scoutabout Rounds Off Summer Term

Published on: 21 Jul, 2024
Updated on: 21 Jul, 2024

By Neil Wibberley

As we end the summer term, Scouts in Guildford have enjoyed Scoutabout, an event where more than 6,000 Scouts and Guides and adults from Surrey enjoyed an action-packed weekend from June 28 to 30.

The first Scoutabout was at Ardingly in West Sussex in 1984. This year’s event celebrated the past 40 years.

Guildford West District Scouts at Scoutabout.

The boys and girls aged 10 to 14 had the opportunity to take part in more than 150 activities at the South of England Showground at Ardingly. It is the only site big enough and close enough to house the Scouts and Guides of Surrey for the weekend.

Rock climbing at Scoutabout.

Activities included bus driving, car driving, bungee running, kayaking, archery, air rifle shooting and caving, to name just a few. It all meant young people were able to try something new in a safe environment.

Organised by 1st Rydes Hill Scouts, young people could, under supervision, even enjoy driving a bus!

On the Friday night there was live music. Sour Kix played at the opening ceremony and on the Saturday night Doubting Thomas and The Ariston played on stage.

Sour Kix playing on the Saturday night.

Over the weekend Scoutabout FM was broadcasting, and along with competitions (thanks to Guildford Flames, Bentley Copse Activity Centre, Airfix and Surrey Sports Park for the donation of prizes) Explorer Scouts were able to present shows.

Trying out the bungee slide.

Chief Scout Bear Grylls’ message was: “A special message for all of you at Scoutabout 2024 at Ardingly showground. I really hope all of you have a brilliant weekend together, look after each other and most of all have fun. So proud of what you all do, helping other people always, showing the true Scouting spirit, you are all amazing.”

Leaders from Guildford West Scouts.

Marcus Martin-burns, County Youth Commissioner for Surrey Scouts, said “Seeing 5,000 Scouts and Guides all together for one weekend at Scoutabout has been truly awesome, giving them the opportunities to learn skills for life, make new friends and discover new activities.

“From archery to zorbing, Scoutabout had it all and a big thank you goes to all the leaders and service crew who made this weekend possible.”

Scoutabout’s closing ceremony.

Sophia, aged 12 from Guildford West district (1st Jacobs Well), said: “I liked the water activities because the reservoir was refreshing in this hot weather.”

In addition, Surrey Scouts became the first Scout county in the UK to sign the Armed Forces Covenant.

Colonel Patrick Crowley MBE DL, Chief Executive of the South East Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (left) and Surrey Scouts County Commissioner Joe Rogerson.

Representing a commitment on behalf of the 18,000 members of Scouting in Surrey, the covenant was signed by County Commissioner Joe Rogerson and Colonel Tim Petransky, in the presence of the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux.

The covenant is a promise that Surrey Scouts acknowledge and understand that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy, and society they serve with their lives.

Surrey Scouts enables young people from the Armed Forces community to join Scouting, as well as supporting military families, service members and veterans.

A large amount of members of the Armed forces live and work in Surrey and a number are currently involved as volunteers in Scouting.

County Commissioner Joe Rogerson said: “We recognise the value serving personnel, both regular and reservists, veterans and military families contribute to our country and to Scouting.”

Featured in the picture are military personnel involved in Scouting in Surrey and their children. Also pictured is the Lord Lietuenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux, and his cadets; Deputy Lieutenant Martin Gerrard; the Mayor of Guildford Sallie Barker; and Surrey Scouts County Commissioner Joe Rogerson.

Colonel Patrick Crowley MBE DL, Chief Executive of the South East Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association, said: “We are delighted that Surrey Scouts has signed the covenant and with the commitments Surrey Scouts has made to young people, military families and all members of the Armed Forces community”.

As Scout groups stop for the summer, several sections in Guildford East and West will see leader shortages, meaning young people in Guildford not able to have the opportunity to be involved in Scouting.

If you feel you can contribute as part of the volunteer team, email us for further details to dc@guildfordwestscouts.org.uk or go to one of the websites below to register your interest on the contact form.

www.guildfordwestscouts.org.uk

www.guildfordeastscouts.org.uk

Responses to Action-packed 40th Scoutabout Rounds Off Summer Term

John Morris Reply

July 22, 2024 at 11:59 am

I feel so sad that the Scout Movement has seen fit in Surrey to ally itself to the military by joining the Government’s “Armed Forces Covenant”. Despite the statements reported, the military is ready to kill other men, women and children and to make us more prone to being killed.

“Duty to God” in the Scout Promise I learned, did not include learning to kill. My little reminder of the Ten Scout Laws many decades ago was “Trusty, Loyal, Helpful, Brotherly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Smiling, Thrifty, Pure in Body and Mind”.

Might Scouts now learn to help someone described as an enemy die as they are shot, to kill courteously, to kill kindly, to kill as they smile, to kill as cheaply as possible, I wonder?

John Morris was a candidate for the Peace Party at the recent general election
John Lomas Reply

July 23, 2024 at 8:38 pm

Surely Scouting came about as a result of Baden-Powell’s military service in Africa.

From Wikipedia:
“Several of his books, written for military reconnaissance and scout training in his African years, were also read by boys. In August 1907, he held a demonstration camp, the Brownsea Island Scout camp, which is now seen as the beginning of Scouting”