Downe Scout Activity Centre
Encyclopedia
Downe Scout Activity Centre is one of the National Scout Activity Centres under the direct control of The Scout Association
in Downe
near Orpington
, Kent
. It provides camping
and indoor accommodations for Scouts
and Guides
.
The Downe site of 86 acre
s is 16 miles (25.7 km) from the centre of London
near the Biggin Hill
airfield in Kent. There are three accommodation blocks at the site. Downe offers a range of activities both on and off the site.
, which was organised by Ralph Reader
for this very purpose.
Greater London South East Scouts assumed control and management of the site in 1987. However, in 2005, the site was renamed as Downe Activity Centre and became one of the National Scout Activity Centres under the direct control of The Scout Association.
The site was used as part of a Blue Peter
special which aired on 20 February 2007 to promote the Scouting 2007 Centenary
. Over 100 Cub Scouts, Scouts and Explorer Scouts
were present on the camp, along with the TV crew who joined in with all of the activities.
Downe recently held its 80th birthday party where over 300 from the scouting community were present. On the same weekend, explorer scout district camp, MESH happened.
An international Scout and Guide event, called Campdowne is held at the campsite, and is open to all members of the Scout Movement over the age of 10 and a half years. The last Campdowne was in 2008. The next is in 2013.
The Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
in Downe
Downe
Downe is a village in the London Borough of Bromley in London, UK.Downe is south west of Orpington and south east of Charing Cross. Downe lies in a wooded valley, and much of the centre of the village is unchanged; the former village school now acts as the village hall.-Darwin:Charles Darwin...
near Orpington
Orpington
Orpington is a suburban town and electoral ward in the London Borough of Bromley. It forms the southeastern edge of London's urban sprawl and is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
, Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
. It provides camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
and indoor accommodations for Scouts
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
and Guides
Girl Guides
A Guide, Girl Guide or Girl Scout is a member of a section of some Guiding organisations who is between the ages of 10 and 14. Age limits are different in each organisation. It is the female-centred equivalent of the Scouts. The term Girl Scout is used in the United States and several East Asian...
.
The Downe site of 86 acre
Acre
The acre is a unit of area in a number of different systems, including the imperial and U.S. customary systems. The most commonly used acres today are the international acre and, in the United States, the survey acre. The most common use of the acre is to measure tracts of land.The acre is related...
s is 16 miles (25.7 km) from the centre of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
near the Biggin Hill
Biggin Hill
Biggin Hill is an area and electoral ward in the outskirts of the London Borough of Bromley in southeast London, United Kingdom.-History:Historically the settlement was known as Aperfield and formed part of the parish of Cudham...
airfield in Kent. There are three accommodation blocks at the site. Downe offers a range of activities both on and off the site.
History
Downe Camp opened in 1939, just outside of Orpington in Kent. The site offered camping and some activities when it first opened, including swimming. This was possible by the construction of a swimming pool which was funded by the proceeds from the very first Gang ShowGang Show
A Gang Show is a theatrical performance with a cast of youth members of Scouts and sometimes Guides too, by invitation. Adult leaders and parents help out behind the scenes. The aim of the shows is to give young people in Scouting and Guiding the opportunity to develop performance skills and...
, which was organised by Ralph Reader
Ralph Reader
William Henry Ralph Reader CBE , known as Ralph Reader, was a British actor, theatrical producer and songwriter, best known for staging the original Gang Show, a variety entertainment presented by members of the Scouting Movement.Reader was born in Crewkerne, Somerset, England, the son of a...
for this very purpose.
Greater London South East Scouts assumed control and management of the site in 1987. However, in 2005, the site was renamed as Downe Activity Centre and became one of the National Scout Activity Centres under the direct control of The Scout Association.
The site was used as part of a Blue Peter
Blue Peter
Blue Peter is the world's longest-running children's television show, having first aired in 1958. It is shown on CBBC, both in its BBC One programming block and on the CBBC channel. During its history there have been many presenters, often consisting of two women and two men at a time...
special which aired on 20 February 2007 to promote the Scouting 2007 Centenary
Scouting 2007 Centenary
The Scouting 2007 Centenary comprised celebrations around the world in which Scouts celebrated 100 years of the world Scout movement. The original celebrations were focused on the United Kingdom, such as the camp on Brownsea Island, the birthplace of Scouting, and the 21st World Scout Jamboree in...
. Over 100 Cub Scouts, Scouts and Explorer Scouts
Explorer Scouts
Explorer Scouts , a section of the Scout Association in the United Kingdom for 14- to 18-year-olds, was introduced in 2001 replacing Venture Scouts . This was part of a greater change in programme, including the introduction of Scout Network for 18- to 25-year-olds...
were present on the camp, along with the TV crew who joined in with all of the activities.
Downe recently held its 80th birthday party where over 300 from the scouting community were present. On the same weekend, explorer scout district camp, MESH happened.
An international Scout and Guide event, called Campdowne is held at the campsite, and is open to all members of the Scout Movement over the age of 10 and a half years. The last Campdowne was in 2008. The next is in 2013.
See also
- Baden-Powell HouseBaden-Powell HouseBaden-Powell House, colloquially known as B-P House, is a Scouting hostel and conference centre in South Kensington, London, which was built as a tribute to Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting...
- Gilwell ParkGilwell ParkGilwell Park is a camp site and activity centre for Scouting groups, as well as a training and conference centre for Scout Leaders. The 44 hectare site is in Sewardstonebury, Epping Forest, close to Chingford, London....
- Summer campSummer campSummer camp is a supervised program for children or teenagers conducted during the summer months in some countries. Children and adolescents who attend summer camp are known as campers....
- Youlbury Scout Activity CentreYoulbury Scout Activity CentreYoulbury Scout Activity Centre is one of a number of The Scout Association's National Scout Activity Centres in the United Kingdom and is the oldest permanent Scout campsite in the world .The Centre, which is based near Oxford, is open to Scouts from around the world, and offers many...