News from Gilwell Reunion 2024
Welcome to the live stream of the Campfire Circle at Gilwell Reunion, we go live at 7:30pm
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Drop in on the Heritage team in the Programme tent to step through scouting history with their simple but fun activity – and if you’re lucky, you might even earn a badge for your efforts.
The stall offers the opportunity to try seven activities drawn from activity (proficiency) badges throughout the years. Can you tie knots blindfold, know the difference between Cumulonimbus and Cirrostratus, perhaps you can show off your skills by spinning plates (not the metaphorical ones) or even fly a diablo.
This is not just an exercise in showing that leaders can turn their hand to anything, it also shows that these skills have been something we’ve been encouraging and sharing with our young people for over 100 years. The badges might have changed name, shape or even disappeared completely but our Scouting Heritage is always with us.
If you want to see more on the history of Scouting along with some objects on display, pop in on the exhibit in the Collaboration Space in Gilwell House.
Callum Kaye won’t be applying to be the International Commissioner (IC) for a second term in the coming weeks, for a few reasons. As part of transformation, the job has been retitled and reshaped into “UK Chief Volunteer for International”. Callum is also unavailable for the role because, at the recent 43rd World Scout Conference in Cairo, he was elected to a three-year term on the World Scout Committee, a position which requires its holders to forego national roles in favour of impartially representing its 176 Member Organisations.
The conference, with the slogan “A New Adventure”, approved a strategy for the next 10 years, a triennial plan to work towards that strategy until the next conference (in London in 2027), chose Taiwan to host the World Scout Moot in 2029, and Denmark to host the World Scout Jamboree in 2031. A refreshed brand and logo for World Scouting were also launched at the conference, with the slogan “Ready for Life”.
The election was the culmination of 6 months on the campaign trail for Dr. Callum, an NHS consultant who’s been volunteering in The Scouts since 2003. With his national term coming to an end, he felt it was time for “a new challenge.”. With the World Scout Conference coming up, he thought it was “now or never” to throw his name into the hat for consideration. Callum’s nomination was endorsed by The Scouts and his campaign was launched on Founder’s Day.
The campaign lasted some 6 months in total. “It was busy,” Callum explains, “with town hall meetings with NSOs (National Scout Organisations, WOSM’s voting members)”. “I met with European Region’s IC’s at a pre-World Conference event, and spoke to delegations from WOSM’s four other Regions [Asia-Pacific, Inter-America, Arab, Africa] over zoom”. Meeting with World Scouting’s diverse membership, he noted that NSO’s had similar issues to those experienced within the UK. Issues like “recruiting and retaining volunteers, youth programme, and keeping older young people in the movement” were common themes Callum encountered on the trail. There were a few surprising issues as well. “I thought I knew what issues NSOs were concerned with”, Callum explains, “but even on the last day, having campaigned for a while, delegates told me how spiritual development was very important to their organisations”.
As a member of the Scout Association Callum follows in a proud tradition of service to Scouting at a world level, with Craig Turpie (Chairperson), John C.C. May (Vice Chairperson), and the late Garth Morrison serving on the committee in this century alone.
No stranger to Reunion, Callum has noticed that the weekend is “getting its energy back” since Covid. It’s his last week as a member of the national leadership team, and Reunion is a “tiring, but enjoyable” place to end his term.
The new committee elected its Chairperson, Daniël Corsen of Scouting Antiano (Curaçao), (and Mori Cheng from Hong Kong and Julius Kramer from Sweden as Vice Chairs), during the conference, but the role will begin in earnest with an induction in Indonesia – a country with 25 million scouts – and first proper meeting in Malaysia, at the World Scout Bureau in October.
Looking back on his time in the IC role, Callum notes that his term was slightly extended due to Covid, which also provided a few challenges; the 16th World Scout Moot in Ireland, and European Jamboree in Poland were cancelled. With regard to Euro Jamboree, Callum recalls being the face of the zoom call that announced that cancellation to the UK Contingent. “I anticipated a lot of negativity before that call, but speaking with the ACCI’s, I learned the power of transparency, and received a lot of support and understanding about the difficult decision that had been made”.
An open call will be launched in the coming days to find the next Chief Volunteer for International, and Callum thinks it’s a great role to take on.
Rhian Moore, Chief Volunteer of Wales dropped by the Reunion Express news desk this morning to share her thoughts and reflections on the weekend ahead.
Taking time for an early morning wander around Gilwell reunion you quickly remember what the event means to the thousands of volunteers who come along. For some it’s an annual event, for others it the first time they have some and are taking it all in.
It is easy to take our Scouting family for granted, and taking time to pause, look around and remember that we are part of a worldwide movement is good for our soul and energy levels as we prepare for a new term.
As a nation chief volunteer, the weekend is packed with things to do, from meeting and greeting Council members at the AGM and then helping to share the amazing story of Scouts over the last year, to visiting volunteers from Wales who are at the event.
A highlight for me this weekend will be seeing Gill Clay presented with her Bronze Wolf on behalf of the World Organisation of Scout Movement on Saturday afternoon. I have the privilege of knowing Gill as a Beaver leader in Cowbridge, south Wales. She is an amazing lady with a wonderful energy and enthusiasm for supporting young people to be the best they can be and sharing skills for life.
I hope you find time this weekend to unite with friends, make brilliant memories and gather some new knowledge that will make your scouting even more amazing next year. Thank you for all you do and thank you for coming along to reunion and being part of this amazing movement.
This is French Scout leader Florian Coupé’s first time in Gilwell Park. “It was on my bucket list”, Flo says, “as a place known to B.P. I’d really like to see the oak tree!” He was invited to present at Reunion by Craig Turpie and Nigel Halley whom he met at the World Scout Education Congress in Paris last December.
As of last week, he’s not quite sure what he’ll be doing here at Reunion, but over the past year he’s given talks, and run slideshows about La Cyclodyssée. He was one of three French scout leaders who cycled last summer from France to the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea. The journey took 220 days, and crossed 17 countries. He’s hoping to screen the documentary of the expedition that the team produced at some point.
So what was the point of Cyclodyssée? “Slow. Travel.” explains Flo, “we need to embrace the slow travel spirit”.
A quick search on The Reunion App suggests that the Cyclodyssée documentary will be screened in the Swan center at 20:00
The next adventure may be on the horizon, and Flo is looking for interest from the UK, “maybe some UK Scouts might be able to sail to the World Scout Moot in Portugal next summer?”
How’s your day looking? There’s plenty of activities, meetings and workshops to engage with happening all day. Learn about drones (of the non-entomological variety) in The Lid. Keep up to date with the Programme Team’s tools and materials at the Buffalo lawn, also at 10. Have a wander around Gilwell’s historic sites, statues and toilet blocks with a guided tour starting at the White House lawn at 10. Fancy a slightly longer expedition? Learning about packing the essentials at the Jack Petchey Lodge Main Hall, or get up-to-date information for The Moot in Portugal, or a visit to the Summit Bechtel Reserve in the Buffalo Lawn. Learn about Squirrels! in the CIC Dining Room 2, or just Go Outdoors at the Bomb Hole.
Don’t forget the Food Mile for a selection of edible options, and for something a little spicy, drop into the Hot Topic discussions happening in the Support Zone until 5:45. For tonight’s entertainment, there’s a choice between the Campfire (in the Campfire circle), the infamous Reunion Quiz in the AGM Tent, and a documentary about three French Scouters who cycled to Korea last summer (in the Swan Centre). Hurry on, you can read these articles later!
With so much going on, Scout Content ASU is here to help record your memories and share stories from across Gilwell Reunion. You will see our team out and about creating a wealth of content for you to enjoy. Our photographers will be abroad trying to capture your best side whilst our video team will be capturing highlights for a summary video. We’ve taken over the Reunion Social media channels and you will find our content being shared there (Instagram: gilwell.reunion and Facebook).
The Scout Content website is now the home of Reunion Express: https://reunion.scoutcontent.org.uk/ . We will post all of our main articles in the Reunion App but for the full experience, photo galleries and more head online.
It’s finally that time again, (even if it’s slightly earlier than usual if the rumours are to be believed). Gilwell Reunion is back!
The weekend’s festivities began with a gathering on the Training Ground. Soul Corporation provided the music as the atmosphere began to build ahead of the official Opening Ceremony.
Before the speech makers could make their opening remarks, some Attendees and Staff Members shared their impressions of the event and expectations for the weekend with the ‘Reunion Express’.
This is the first Reunion for Millie from 3rd Hastings, as she’s recently turned 18. “Everything seems great,” she says, “and the workshops look interesting!”.
Three Finns, Katja, Merja and Kati are also here for the first time. “We wanted to see the Baden Powell statues, and the sites associated with Scouting history.”
Graham Popay from Northumberland, sees Reunion as an opportunity to “recharge our batteries”, while Scoutadelic’s Mike Rouse-Deane, said “Skills for Life!, Adventure!”.
As for the speeches, Matt Hyde, CEO, wearing his ‘leavers’ hoodie welcomed the assembled masses, and hoped that this would be the “best Reunion of the 11” he’s attended. “It’s an incredible event,” he added, “there’s so much going on!”
Gilwell’s Camp Chief Sam Morris, reminded everyone to “Download the App!”.
Youth Lead, Aysha Karim gave shout out to the under-25s, and celebrated the mix of “new faces, and old.”
Lead Volunteer, Carl Hankinson felt the atmosphere was like “like a Network Camp”, adding that it’s “great to have visitors from other countries” participating. “This is a great weekend ti recharge batteries.”
As the speeches came to a close, and the evening entertainments (including a silent disco) began, Chris Ball, Cole Valley South District Scouts shared that he was here to “catch up with friends made here, and friends from other events this summer, such as Roverway”. He’s also looking forward to making new friends ahead of the Moot.
Reunion Express welcomes you to the 98th Gilwell Reunion.
As usual we will be here to share news, reviews and reminders over the course of the weekend. If you are attending don’t forget to download the app for all the most up to date information on workshops, activities and stalls.
So, if you are here to explore all things transformation, meet Scouts Partners or simply relax with friends we hope you have a wonderful time.
More Reunion content coming soon!
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