Activity Centres and Camp Sites
Three of the six Scout Association Activity Centres are in Greater London. Baden-Powell House is a hostel and conference centre in central London. Gilwell Park is a camp site and activity centre, as well as a training and conference centre for Scout Leaders. It is close to Chingford, London. The White House at Gilwell Park has been the headquarters of The Scout Association since 2001, although Baden-Powell House (the former headquarters) still facilitates some departments of the Scout Association. Downe Scout Activity Centre is in Kent, but was owned by the Greater London South East Scouts from 1987 to 2005, when the site became under the direct control of The Scout Association.
The Greater London Middlesex West Scout Association County is responsible for the PACCAR Chalfont Heights camp site 30 minutes from London in Buckinghamshire. Originally purchased in 1938, it was operated by Scout Headquarters until 1970 when it taken over by the Greater London Middlesex West County as its County campsite and Training Centre. The current name was adopted following major sponsorship from a charitable foundation owned by PACCAR Inc, the multi-national heavy vehicle manufacturer.
Danemead Scout Campsite, Scout Park, Bounds Green (Haringey District Scouts) and Frith Grange are associated with the Greater London North Scout Association County. The County is also responsible for Enfield Scout Sailing Association (ESSA).
The Training ship RRS Discovery, Captain Scott's Antarctic expedition vessel, moored on the Embankment near the Temple was used by the Scouts between 1937 and 1979, when it was handed over to Maritime Trust and relocated in Dundee. The Docklands Scout Project was then created. The Project is on the Isle of Dogs, in East London, east of the financial City of London and opposite Greenwich across the River Thames.
The Greater London North East Scout Association County also owns (through its Districts) the following Scout Activity Centres: Crow Camp, Fairmead Scout Campsite (East London District), Hargreaves Scout Campsite (Ilford East District), and the Michael Mallinson Centre ( Waltham Forest South District).
Greater London South Scout Association County owns the South London Scout Centre, the closest camping centre to central London at Dulwich.
Hammerwood Scout Campsite, located in East Grinstead, is owned and operated by 6 Groups in Lewisham. It is 27 acres (110,000 m2) of woodland plus a field. The forest is mostly unpartitioned - popular with Scout, Cadet and Duke of Edinburgh groups - with an unmanaged area for survival training weekends.
Lewisham Scout District is responsible for Frylands Wood Scout Campsite.
Wilberforce Scout Centre is owned by Bromley Scout District of the Greater London South East Scout Association County.
Yr Hen Neuadd ('The Old Hall'), Bethesda, Gwynedd, North Wales, originally a Salvation Army Hall, was converted in 1970 by the Greater London South West Scout Association County as an Activity Centre.
The Bears Wood Training Centre and Pinewood Campsites are the responsibility of the Croydon District
Polyapes Campsite lies just outside the county boundaries but is managed jointly between Royal Kingston and Esher Districts.It has been in continuous use since 1929.
The City of Westminster Scout District is responsible for Coombe Farm Campsite, located in Addington.
Read more about this topic: Scouting In Greater London
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—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)