Brownsea Island © Lin Renvolze
Over the weekend of 5- 7 September the Brownsea Island Youth Service Team (BIYST) will be following in the footsteps of the founder of Scouting. Organised by these young volunteers, the Xperimental camp is inspired by Robert Baden-Powell’s Experimental camp held on the island in 1907.
BIYST’s camp will take the traditions laid down over 100 years ago and give them a modern twist for the Scouts and Guides of today. The original Scouts took part in boat management and leadership skills, while today’s Xperimental campers will enjoy a variety of ‘Big Canoe’ water-sports and team building exercises delivered by the Royal Marines. The young volunteers have also organised an outdoor cinema, silent disco, and pioneering.
BIYST have been volunteering on the National Trust island for more than three years and are regular helpers at the popular family camps and at the Brownsea Outdoor Centre. They’ll be welcoming over 100 Scouts and Guides for a weekend that has been over a year in the planning and is generously supported by O2’s “Think Bigger” programme.
Brownsea Island Outdoor Centre Manager, Trevor Warwick said: “This will be an amazing event, designed and run completely by Brownsea’s young volunteers.”
Jake Lewis, BIYST, added: “I’ve enjoyed putting my leadership and organization skills to use, and am looking forward to putting on an event for young people to enjoy.”
