News from Gilwell Reunion 2025
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If you want to see more from Gilwell Reunion 2025, or our archive of previous years then please have a look at our website for Reunion Express: https://reunion.scoutcontent.org.uk/ or the Gilwell Reunion Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GilwellReunion or Instagram: gilwell.reunion.
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The 99th Gilwell Reunion drew to a close today as everyone gathered at the stage, in sight of the Gilwell Oak for the Closing Reflections and the 1st Gilwell Park AGM.
The UK Youth Team welcomed everyone to the reflection with shout outs and a good warm up to find out what everyone had done over this weekend. Did you attend a workshop? Make a new friend? Was this your first Reunion? Will you be back?
Led by Rob, the team reflected on what has made them happy this year. One of the biggest achivements for the team has been the Youth Forum which was held in several different locations across the UK earlier this year, allowing almost 1000 young people to feedback what they want Scouting to look like in 10 years time. “It’s amazing what our young people can achieve when they feel supported. They have no shortage of ambition and positive dreams. Scouting makes this happens, so Thank you for all that you do to encourage those dreams and ambitions”.
One thing that was clear from the team is that Scouting makes them happy. When challenged to talk to others around them, the crowd filled the air with a babble of things in Scouting that makes them happy. So the challenge to us all is to take our experience this weekend home to our young people and our other local volunteers and ask them “What makes you happy?”
Carl Hankinson, Uk Lead Volunteer, was then invited to share his reflections of the weekend and to up date everyone on everything Gilwell Park as part of the 1st Gilwell Park AGM. In the next year we will see some updates and changes to our beloved home of Scouting. From more capacity in the tented village, to kitchen cabins and even an upgrade and redevelopment of the Campfire Circle ahead of the 100th Gilwell Reunion next year. Visitors will also experience a new welcome centre complete with heritage space too. The hope is that these new facilities will not only encourage more users but enhance the experience of those who already enjoy Gilwell Park.
Of course plans are afoot to make 2026, 100th Gilwell Reunion even bigger and better. With a call for more groups to attend and provide actitvities for those attending to take part in. So if you know an Programme Team, like BushScout, who could provide skills and activities for the weekend, Lewis is on the look out for suggestions!
“Naturally the weekend doesn’t happen without the sum of its parts. A huge thank you to the 600 volunteers who have made this weekend happen, from stall holders and workshops, activties and of course Scout Adventures Staff.”
“Hopefully this weekend has been joyful, restorative, and you have gone home inspired for the year ahead. As you head home, take the Scouting Spirit with you”
Did you know that there is an award for Network members that literally leaves the world a better place than you found it? The Scouts of the World Award is open to young people aged 18-25 and is the only Network only award.
The award journey sees participants start with an award Discovery weekend, identify an issue related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals which they can relate to and undertake a project of a minimum of 80 hours which will have a sustained impact beyond their involvement.
Speaking with the UK SOWA Lead Volunteer, Chris Worthington his enthusiasm for the award is clear. “The award encourages young people to be involved in their community and challenge what others might think can’t be changed. All the time improving the environment and helping the wider commitment to the UNSDGs.”
We’ve got some really exciting opportunities coming up, including a Discovery Weekend here at Gilwell Park, the Awards 20th Anniversary next year, which we are looking for ways to celebrate and we’re launching our first nationally run SOWA expedition to Ghana next summer”.
The team are particularly excited about the Ghana Expedition. “We’re hoping by organising the trip more people will hear about the award and its possibilities. We are also really excited to be offering the projects in a new way and making them available to more young people as it will be more group than individual based, working directly with the community in Ghana.”
If you’re interested in SOWA and the expedition applications to join the team are open until 22nd of September. They are looking for 3 leaders and 20 young people to join the trip and engage in projects to benefit the lives, community and environment of a remote area of Ghana.
If you want to find out more about the Ghana SOWA expedition, check out: Ghana Scouts of the World Award expedition
If you want to find out more about SOWA check out: Scouts of the World Award
Ambitions, resilience, superpowers and anti-jellyfish beard protection were all topics of conversation this afternoon on the Training ground as our keynote speaker educated, encouraged and entertained with his stories and experiences.
Sean Conway, Scout Ambassador, Adventurer, Squirrel Leader and today, Gilwell Reunion’s Keynote speaker left the audience in awe and laughing at his antics as he shared his experience of setting personal goals and being the first Briton to achieve the endurance Grand Slams.
Sean made it very clear that he has a very unique approach to setting goals and that we all should rethink those occasions when we fail, “I’ve stopped calling them failures, they’re hiccoughs”. A sentiment that many of us could take forward into general life. “Most people overestimate what they can achieve in a week and underestimate what can be achieved in a decade. When you do hard things, the other stuff becomes easy”.
Sean explained that he was approaching his 30th birthday and realised he should set himself some goals. So with limited training and no experience he set out to set new records including lands end to John O’Groats. Needless to say these initial plans didn’t go as he’d wanted. “Old me would have lowered the ambition, never do that, to actively enhance my chances of success. Don’t do that, it’s a terrible idea.” Instead, Sean set himself the challenge of achieving the Grand Slams of endurance. This means a world first, longest, fastest and most.
Sean holds the records for:
Speaking to Sean before he admitted that none of these were enjoyable. “There’s no sucssess in enjoyment”.
Sean shared stories of being stung by jellyfish, sleeping in Ukrainian road drainage pipes and the monotony of doing a triathlon every day for more than three months. Whilst all of these sound horrible experiences, Sean shared them with only the humour that comes from first lived then reflected upon experiences. Something many of us can understand from our experience in Scouting. From the camps we never want to do again to the amazing opportunities we’ve experienced by chance, these all come from challenging ourselves in new ways.
“I think Scout Leaders are the most important people in society. Young people are members for more than a decade, and you offer them so many opportunities. So, Thank you for all that you do! It has been an honour to be invited and speak to you today”
So what’s next, well that’s top secret but Sean’s excited about it!
If you aren’t with us in person this weekend, or simply want to hide from the rain, you can still join in the magic of campfire.
Join us 7.30-9pm for the traditional Reunion Campfire via our livestream link below:
Between the light rain showers and bright sunshine the 99th Gilwell Reunion has been slowly taking shape.
Throughout Friday teams worked to put their stands and stalls together, rady to showcase everything from our latest partners to programme support resources. KSWP were found hard at work putting the final touches to the King’s Squiffy Woggle Pub on the Training Ground and Scout Adventures putting the last sparkle to the site and ensurubf there are enough bins and bog roll.
As the afternoon drew on the car park has steadily filled and every corner has been occupied by canvas and camper vans. The traffic management team were kept busy with their aircraft style parking manoeuvres and around site in every corner friends could be found greeting each other, makng plans and sharing stories.
As the sky turned pink with the evening sunset the music started on the main stage with the UK Classic Rock Experience entertining the crowd ahead of the opening ceremony. With the pub open the training ground filled with the sounds of friends reconnecting and dancing the night away.
In less than 24 hours Gilwell Park will be full of activity as adults from near and far gather for the 99th Gilwell Reunion.
Whether you’re a first timer or a seasoned veteren we hope everyone has a fantastic weekend. Reunion Express will be there to share the journey through the weekend as you update knowledge, learn skills, meet new people and share in the atmosphere of Reunion.
So no matter your plans for the weekend, watch out the on the app and via the official Reunion Express website: www.reunion.scoutcontent.org.uk for updates, reviews and news from across the event.
This weekend your content was brought to you by Scout Content ASU. If you want to see more from Gilwell Reunion 2024 then please have a look at our website for Reunion Express: https://reunion.scoutcontent.org.uk/ or the Gilwell Reunion Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GilwellReunion or Instagram: gilwell.reunion.
If you want to hear more from us then you can follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScoutContent or Instagram: @scoutcontent
The Closing Ceremony took place this afternoon on the mainstage on the Training Ground.
Lead by the Youth Leads; Ayesha, Nathan, Izzy and Rob the closing ceremony offered the opportunity to reflect on the weekends adventures and what we will all take home to our local Scouting.
To wake us all up and ensure we were fully engaged they started with a short game of “Stand up if” questions included; if you attended the Silent Disco, Campfire and if you still have your Gilwell cup – naturally this gained a cheer.
The team then lead everyone in reflecting on what brought them to be here today. “This weekend is about celebrating getting to know new friends and spending time with old ones”. With this in mind the crowd were challenged to turn to the person next to them and reflect on the inspirational leader who was the reason they had stayed in the movement and ultimately come along this weekend. After a few minutes of discussion with neighbours the team on the stage shared their inspirational adults, from Jamboree Unit Leaders who smiled no matter the challenges, to Explorer Leaders who pushed them to reach beyond personal expectations and even parents as leaders who have been an inspiration just being being determined and encouraging. Each leader making their own distinct mark on the young people they have led.
As the reflection came to a close, Ayesha said “Go back to your local Scouting and if you have one of those leaders tell them. Remember there is someone who looks at you as their inspirational leader.”
As is tradition with Gilwell Reunion there was an update on Gilwell Park and this was given by Carl. Over the past year there have been several maintenance pieces carried out including to the Maori arch at the campfire circle, internal alterations made to the Dorothy Hughes centre and new archery ranges have been installed on the site. Coming up over the next year there will be progress on several new development projects, including the installation of a solar park, rescheduling of some old favourite events and even some new ones and this weekend the Gilwell Fellows over saw the breaking of ground for a new reception centre. Carl went on to thank all of the staff, volunteer teams and Active Support Units who have worked so hard to make Gilwell Reunion 2024 such a success.
“We are here for renewal and share in something special. Have a safe journey to wherever you do your local Scouting. Thank you for everything that you do”
After 11 years at the helm Matt steps down as CEO of The Scouts as Gilwell Reunion 2024 closes. In his last few hours in role he spent a few minutes with Reunion Express reflecting on his time.
Reflecting on eleven years is incredibly challenging and Matt struggled to identify what one highlight to take away. “There’s been so many, so I will give you a few. The launch of Squirrels was incredibly exciting. Squirrels were always going to be a game changer with growth and impact on such a key age group but also the opportunity for diversity and inclusion. Also, the Big Help Out and the visit to the group by the Prince and Princess of Wales with their family. That was hugely impactful.” Matt admits the idea for Big Help Out was something he had had over 18 months before the launch and accepts that you need an element of luck with some successes. In this instance it was a conversation with government representatives at the late Queen’s Lying in State.
Matt is also incredibly proud of the development of the Youth Shape programme including the Youth Commissioners (now Volunteer Youth Leads). “I took my learning from NUS and how you give young people agency and voice and put them in the driving seat.” There are now over 500 Youth Leads across the country. Finally, “Our Brand, not just the rebrand [of the logo] the fact that trust in Scouts is at an all time high despite our challenges shows we are seen as a modern and relevant organisation.
Matt’s passion for The Scouts and the aims of the movement comes across when he speaks. He is proud of so much of what has been achieved from work on making Scouting accessible to all, to transformation and so much more in between. “I’ve also loved the events; Jamborees, Windsor, the Summits and Basecamps”.
“I am proud that Gilwell Reunion is youthful and vibrant. We’ve done that through building a culture full of really good people who live the values of the movement through engagement. We’ve built a culture of transparency so you can explain things even when they go wrong.”
When his predecessor, Derek Twine, left his advice was “You’ve got to do it your way”. This is something Matt has not only embraced but also passes on as his advice to the person who fills his shoes. “Do it your way. It’s such a privilege and enjoy it!”
“If you’re ever having a tough time go out and see a local group. Sometimes you lose sight of what is happening at local level. Visit a squirrel meeting, its impossible not to smile”
When asked if he’s a had fun. Matts response was “I’ve had a blast”. It’s clear that moving on is bitter sweet but the right time. “What a privilege to do a job that’s been a third of my career that’s been so impactful. I’ve done things I’d never have thought I’d do in my wildest dreams, from hanging out with the Royal Family to para-gliding with Bear Grylls!”
We’re sure all our readers will send a heartfelt Thank you to Matt for an incredible eleven years as CEO and wish him all the best as he moves onto pastures new.
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