Scouting in East of England is about Scouting in the official region of East of England. It is largely represented by The Scout Association of the United Kingdom and some Groups of traditional Scouting including the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association.
There are four student associations at various universities in the region, each of which is affiliated to the Student Scout and Guide Organisation (SSAGO). These are Cambridge University Scout and Guide Club,Cambridge University Scout and Guide Club SSAGO University of East Anglia.,SSAGO University of East Anglia Essex SSAGOEssex SSAGO and Hertfordshire University Guides and ScoutsHertfordshire University Guides and Scouts
History of Scouting in East of England The 1st Bury St Edmunds Scout Group holds a registration certificate dated to 5 February 1908, and the Group claims to be the oldest surviving Scout Group in England.1st Bury St Edmunds (Mayor's Own) However, this claim is not currently upheld by The Scout Association.
1st Southwold Scout Group was established in 1908 and claims to be the first Scout group established in Suffolk.1st Southwold Scout Group 1st Reydon and 1st Wrentham in Suffolk also existed in 1908.1st Southwold Scout Group History In Norfolk, 1st Norwich Sea Scouts1st Norwich Sea Scouts and 1st Dereham Scout GroupFirst Scout Troops were also founded in 1908, making them some of the earliest Scout groups to have formed. Hertfordshire was the first organised Scout County, which was founded by Sir Percy Winn Everett at the request of Baden-Powell. The first Hertfordshire Scout Troop was founded on 20 February 1908.
The 21st World Scout Jamboree, celebrating 100 years of Scouting, was held at Chelmsford in Essex between 27 July and 8 August 2007.21st World Scout Jamboree
The Scout Association Counties Scouting in the East of England is led by a Regional Lead Volunteer who is appointed to lead Scouting in the East of England. The Scout Association in East of England is administered through six Scout Counties
Bedfordshire Scout County
Bedfordshire Scout County is a Scout County of The Scout Association of the United Kingdom. It is concurrent with the political county of Bedfordshire, and provides Scouting opportunities for young people and adults in the area around Bedford, Luton, and Dunstable.Bedfordshire County Scout County
The badge worn by members of the Bedfordshire Scout County shows a red falcon on a yellow background. The current version of the badge was phased in over a ten-year period, starting in the early 1980s. It replaced a previous version which had either a silver or gold falcon on a green background.
The county currently has 2 County Scout Networks (Bedfordshire County Scout Network & Bedfordshire Air Scout Network) and 5 Local Scout Networks Bedfordshire County Scout Network
The county is currently divided into nine Scout Districts. Ampthill and Woburn BedfordBedford District Scout Council Biggleswade & District Dunstable Icknield (Luton) Lea Valley (Luton) Leighton-Linslade Ouse Valley Someries (Luton)
Total membership of Bedfordshire Scout County was 6,271 at January 2012.
Cambridgeshire Scout County
Cambridgeshire Scout County is a Scout County of The Scout Association of the United Kingdom. It provides Scouting opportunities for young people and adults in the areaCambridgeshire Scout County and more information, plus the latest news and how to join are on the County website.
Scouts in Peterborough were given the Freedom of the City in April 2007. This is the first occasion in Britain when Scouts have received this type of award.Freedom Of the City for Scouts
The badge worn by members of the Cambridgeshire Scout County is unusual in its design, as it is shaped as a shield rather than the more standard rectangle. The elements on the badge represent towns covered by the Scout County, the cross-keys representing Peterborough.
The county is currently divided into eight Scout Districts:,Cambridgeshire Scout County Districts following the disbanding of Granta District at the end of 2012: Cambridge District Cambridge Crafts Hill District Cromwell District Ely District Fenland District Hinchingbrooke District Newmarket District Peterborough District (Nene and Medehamstede Districts merged in September 2017)
The current County Commissioner for Cambridgeshire is Chris Ward. Membership of Cambridgeshire Scout County in 2020 stood at approximately 5,550 young people and 2,200 adults.
CamJam In 2006 the Cambridgeshire Jamboree moved from the East of England Showground,CamJam 2002 in Peterborough, to the Huntingdon Racecourse.CamJam 2006 CamJam 2006 was the fifth such jamboree to be arranged by Cambridgeshire Scout County.
On site activities included go-karts, a skate park, ice rink, a planetarium, climbing walls, radio controlled cars, caving and hot air balloons on two evenings. Other activities included archery, rifle shooting, model land yachts, car mechanics, scavenger hunt and model aircraft.CamJam2006 Activities
CamJam returned to Huntingdon Racecourse from 27 July–3 August 2019,We're Back CamJam2019 and planning is currently underway for 2027.
Essex Scout County
Essex Scout County is a Scout County of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom.Essex Scout County
Chelmsford in Essex was the location for the 21st World Scout Jamboree, held between 27 July to 8 August 2007. The Chelmsford District had a number of special events.Scouting centenary events in Chelmsford and District, home of the 21st World Scout Jamboree By 2007 there were 16,000 members in Essex Scouting covering every community in the county.
The County HQ is at the Thriftwood Training Centre.
The badge worn by members of the Essex Scout County shows the heraldry of the regional county of Essex of "Gules three Seaxes fessewise in pale Argent pomels and hilts Or points to the sinister and cutting edges upwards.".
The county is currently divided into 19 Scout Districts:Essex Scout County Districts BasildonBasildon Scouts Billericay and Wickford BraintreeBraintree Scouts BrentwoodBrentwood Scouts Castle PointCastle Point Scouts ChelmsfordChelmsford Scouts Colchester Estuary Colchester NorthColchester North Scouts Crouch Valley Halstead and Colne Valley Harlow & DistrictHarlow & District Scouts Hatfield Forest Maldon and East EssexMaldon and East Essex Scouts Royal Forest Saffron WaldenSaffron Walden Scouts Southend Estuary Southend WestSouthend West Scouts Tendring ThurrockThurrock Scouts
The current County Commissioner is Bob Bye.Essex Scouts County Executive Membership of Essex Scout County was 15,700 young people and 4,335 adults in January 2020.
Essex International Jamboree The Essex International Jamboree (EIJ) was first held in 1927 when it was visited by the Founder, and then Chief Scout, Sir Robert Baden-Powell. Essex have held jamborees every four years since 1952 and at their last site, Devereux Farm, Kirby-le-Soken, from 1996 to 2008. In 2012 a new site was established at Boyton Cross near Roxwell, Chelmsford following coastal erosion and an increasing flood risk at the Kirby Le Soken site. It is organised jointly by Essex Scouts and the Guide Counties of Essex West, Essex North East and Essex South East.
The Essex International Jamboree 2008 was held between 26 July and 2 August. Over 8,000 participants and 2,000 staff attended the jamboree representing 30 different countries, including: Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Ireland, Israel, Kenya, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Uganda, UK, USA and Zimbabwe. Another 4,000 people, including hundreds of Cub Scouts and Brownies were hosted for the jamboree open day. The theme for 2008 was "The World's Endangered Animals" and included a strong emphasis for 'green issues' such as recycling and developing global links. In keeping with the theme, the site was sub-divided into 10 sub-camps containing a mixture of UK and international Scouts and Guides, with a further sub-camp for staff. Each of the participant sub-camps was named after an endangered animal. All of the animals could be found at the nearby Colchester Zoo, and each sub-camp became involved in the zoo's adoption scheme as a lasting legacy of the event.
Essex International Jamboree 2012 at the new site at Boyton Cross and was attended by over 8,000 Scouts and Guides with over 1,500 adult volunteers on the staff team. The 2016 Essex International Jamboree held between 30 July and 6 August with the theme "Our Changing World", was attended by about 10,000 Scouts and Guides and was run by a team of 2,000 adult volunteers. The 2020 Essex International Jamboree was cancelled due to the Coronavirus outbreak. The 2024 Essex International Jamboree was held between 27 July and 3 August 2024.
Hertfordshire Scout County
Hertfordshire Scout County is a Scout County of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom covering the County of Hertfordshire.Hertfordshire Scout County
The badge worn by members of the Hertfordshire Scout County shows a hart on a blue background, which is based on the heraldry of the regional county of Hertfordshire.
They have a Falke SF25C motor glider which is based at the Cambridge Gliding Centre.Hertfordshire Scouts at CGC
There are 18 Scout Districts Bishops Stortford Watford South East Herts Elstree and District Harpenden and Wheathampstead Hemel HempsteadHemel Hempstead Scouts Hertford Hitchin Letchworth and Baldock Watford North Potters Bar Rickmansworth and Chorleywood Royston St Albans StevenageStevenage Scouts Ware and District Ware & District Scouts Mid Herts West Herts
The youth membership of Hertfordshire Scout County in January 2017 was 14,434 of whom 3,106 were girls. There were 4,518 adult leaders. (p. 5)
Hertfordshire Scouts Peak Assault Herts Peak Assault is a navigational and teamwork challenge for Explorer and Network Scouts, held at a different location each year. Groups must navigate their way around, visiting 'checkpoints' within the given time limit. 2006: 13–15 October 2006 Howgill Fells, (Sedbergh) Cumbria 2007: 12–14 October 2007 Northern Fells, (Caldbeck) Cumbria 2008: 17–19 October 2008 Llanthony, Black Mountains, Wales 2009: 16–18 October 2009 Abercraf, Black Mountains, Wales
Norfolk Scout County
Norfolk Scout County is a Scout County of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom, covering the county of Norfolk.Norfolk Scout County
There is a Norfolk Scout Canoe Team. The badge worn by members of the Norfolk Scout County shows the shield from the coat of arms of the county of Norfolk. The current version of the badge has a light green background, whilst earlier versions had been black.Heraldry of Norfolk
The Norfolk Scout County is divided into eight Scout Districts: Central Norfolk North East Norfolk Northern Norwich Eastern Norwich North West Norfolk East Norfolk Southern Norwich Southern Norfolk
Norfolk International Jamboree In 1960 the Norfolk Boy Scouts International Jamboree, held at Sennowe Park near Fakenham, drew media attention due to the presence of fifty "European refugees."
The 12th Norfolk International Jamboree (NorJam) was held at the Royal Norfolk Showground between Saturday 29 July and Saturday 5 August 2006.
Around 5,000 participants and staff attended the jamboree representing 17 different countries, including: Austria, Australia, Denmark, UK, US and Spain. Three Guides were presented with their Queen's Guide Award by the Chief Guide, Liz Burnley, during the camp. The Jamboree included a Christmas celebration, held on Thursday 3 August. Other activities included scuba diving, horse-riding and sailing.
The theme for the 2006 Jamboree was "Around The World In Seven Days", with each sub-camp being named after a famous landmark, and the event included a strong emphasis on current issues such as recycling and developing global links.