Scouts

About us

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About us

Our story

Scout Adventures is owned and run by the Scouts. For over 100 years, we've delivered opportunities and activities to millions of young people.

We're founded on our famous Scout values and are proud offer our expertise to a new generation of young people.

When Baden-Powell first took 20 young people to Brownsea Island, Dorset, in 1907 he was delivering one of the first ever residential experiences. Instinctively, he knew that the outdoors would bring out the best in them, giving them opportunities to develop their skills and confidence. Today, outdoor learning is still considered one of the best ways to transform lives and future prospects.

We’ve come a long way since then - they didn’t use GPS - but our values of care, belief, integrity, cooperation remain the same. When you allow a young person to take a risk in a safe environment, they learn and grow.

Skills for life

Here at Scout Adventures we believe that amazing things can happen in the great outdoors. With our expertise in informal learning (think leadership, teamwork, resilience and initiative) and world famous heritage and values, we've inspired generations of young people to reach their potential and learn skills for life.

Trusted by 57 million members and their families around the world, there's no arguing that the Scouts know what they're doing when it comes to developing young people.

We're the original outdoor pioneers and experts in character education. Our practical approach runs through everything we do and has the power to change lives and create active citizens of the future.

That's our promise of quality. 

Over the years we have commissioned a number of research assessments which highlight the nature and scale of our impact on our membership. We know we help young people to develop significant personal and professional skills, benefiting individuals, the local community and employers.

We take fun pretty seriously

Ask a young person what they want out of their experience and chances are, they’ll talk about fun and friends. And this has a powerful effect on their learning. Happier children learn more, achieve more and do more.

Scout Adventures is all about the big moments. Whether it’s leaping off a jetty into a lake, chatting about the day’s activities in a bunk bed after lights out, or roasting marshmallows over glowing embers, these are memories being made. But something else is happening too. Young people are learning the character skills they need to succeed: leadership, teamwork, resilience and initiative. To them it feels like fun, but these are the experiences that help them grow as people.

Why choose Scout Adventures?

Scout Adventures is a natural home for groups looking for a brilliant residential or shorter experience. Our centres are not just places to visit and stay; they're starting points for new adventures, expeditions and experiences.

We welcome young people from every background; from Scouting, schools, youth groups and beyond. We believe in making every experience fun, friendly, adventurous and unforgettable. We're optimistic about the future and believe anything is possible.

Our staff team members are Scouts and outdoor learning is what we do. We understand both the Scout Programme and the National Curriculum and will work with you to help young people develop social and practical skills as well as specific projects. That could be badges and awards in the Scout programme or projects that meet your curriculum targets. It’s all about learning by doing.

A wide range of activities

Choose from a range of 70 activities, from canoeing and high ropes to orienteering and traditional Scouting skills. Our activities are all about values-based team work, and can be tailored to your learning objectives.  

Amazing centres

Choose from our 8 amazing adventure centres across the UK, from woodlands to water. We offer a range of camping space, Tented Villages and indoor accommodation whether you're looking to stay close to London or in rural Northumberland.

Trust, safety and expertise

Our ability to deliver safe, high quality outdoor experiences is second to none. We enjoy an international reputation as an authority on outdoor learning and the positive benefits it creates for individuals. 

Nearly all of our instructors are volunteers, but with Scouting backgrounds they're experts in outdoor learning. We volunteers from across the globe, we provide them with full training and qualifications, and make sure they're safe to work with young people. 

Proven record

Every year, we work with a wide range of Scouts, Guides, schools and youth groups. We've got a trusted track record of delivering safe, high quality experiences. 

We have strong links to the Scout programme and National Curriculum and no two visits to Scout Adventures are the same. We listen to our customers and work with them to achieve their learning outcomes by designing the experience around them.

Training, courses and badge days

Learning doesn't stop just because you're an adult. We offer a range of training and courses for adults each year including NGB qualifications, Scout permits and skills courses. We run regular residentials for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme and King's Scout Award, and badge programmes for the Scouts youth sections too. 

For schools

At Scout Adventures it’s all about helping young people to do their best. We believe that learning away can have a powerful, positive impact on young people’s academic achievement.

This is supported with research by Learning Away, which suggests that a residential experience can lead to a 58% improvement in attainment at primary level and 77% improvement at secondary level. Take a look at our Learning Away case study.

Learning Away stats

The Education Endowment Foundation and their toolkit evidence also suggests that young people gain an additional four months' academic progress in a year from participating in outdoor adventure learning

We understand that we have a significant role to play in helping and supporting schools to provide high quality residential experiences for young people of all ages that are teacher-led and designed to be affordable and inclusive.

Outdoor Learning

The Institute for Outdoor Learning has a mission to increase participation in Outdoor Learning in the UK and to recognise and improve the quality of Outdoor Learning in the UK. The potential benefits of Outdoor Learning and are so many that they are grouped into four broad categories but are essentially linked to:

  • enhanced personal and social communication skills
  • increased physical health
  • enhanced mental and spiritual health
  • enhanced spiritual, sensory and aesthetic awareness
  • the ability to assert personal control and increased sensitivity to one's own well-being