Hello and welcome to the home page of Scouting for Wokingham. Believe it or not Scouting is still very much alive in Wokingham and the surrounding areas, with some 750 young people taking part on the broad spectrum of activities organised by the 180 leaders wearing unifrom, not to mention a wealth of helpers and parents. Of course this number is only a very small percentage of the young people who live in Wokingham but as a competing activity with so many other activities we are pretty popular already and gaining steadily year by year.

Wokingham Scouts has survived the last century thanks to the dedication of its leaders and helpers.  In order for it to survive another century we need new and continued support.  Scouting does change with the times in order to keep the young people interested and this we do quite well in Wokingham.

For adults in Scouting it is not all one sided: adults, helpers and parents can also get something out of Scouting,  there are many social aspects, new challenges, new skills to be learnt, having a go at activities you never thought you would, the list goes on.  Often the leadership skills learnt through Scouting can greatly benefit adults in their careers.

With names of young people on all Groups' waiting lists, we'd like to open new sections, but to do that, we need more adult involvement. We're ready to talk to anyone who is interested about how we could make this happen for you. Contact us at info.wokinghamscouts.org.uk .

 If you would like to help but are too busy to make a regular commitment, have a look at the How to Help page and there is also the Active Support organisation who offer support on a regular basis as well as arranging much needed social events for Scouters across Wokingham.

 For those who are looking for a place in Scouting for their young person, have a look on the Groups page. 

Looking back at the last year, the District has been celebrating the fact that Scouting first appeared in the Wokingham area some 100 years ago. The District's young people competed just over a year ago to design a badge to commemorate that centenary. A hardy group of the District's Explorer Scouts kicked off a busy programme for the year by camping at Finchampstead in January, rather than do battle with the M25 and the snow. In April, with the support of the police, some 400 members from around the District, gathered at St Paul's church to celebrate St George's Day. They were joined by parents as well as councillors and both Borough and Town Mayor. There are a few photographs on the Recent Events page.

At the end of May, the District gathered at Barkham for what turned out to be a memorable camp with a variety of outdoor activities for all from Beaver age to the not so young! Those photographs tell much of the story of that successful weekend. Later in the summer, three coach loads of Cub Scouts and Beaver Scouts made their way to Gilwell for another day of activities,which included climbing, face painting, fair rides, simulators, inflatable’s, water rockets, the 3G swing and many more.

The District AGM had another great attendance and reports highlighted the continuing growth seen across the District. At the meeting we shared the success of re-opening 1^st  Arborfield Beavers and the plans for Cubs and Scouts down the line. 2010/11 Census should see us reach 1000 members – another 1^st. Next it was the Adults turn and on a warm evening in June around 25 Adults met to have fun on the water, or climbing wall, at the Waterside centre. Despite a small incident with the BBQ, everyone managed to eat and watch the sun set over what was agreed as a great evening and one to be repeated.

The summer saw nearly every Group hold their own camps and events continuing the Big Adventure started in May. Hopefully some Groups will have found some new helpers and leaders over the period.

To round off the year a first for the District as we held a Gang Show. Again nearly every Group joined a great evening of songs, stunts and laughter.

As the year drew to a close the District saw the loss of one of our longer serving members in Chris Brett. Chris had been a great supporter of Scouting at local and District level.  Her smile, laugh and willingness will be missed by us all – not to mention her cooking skills.

None of this would have happened without the enthusiasm of the young people, but just as importantly, without the tireless efforst of a whole number of adults. Thank you! You made it a year, or was it a hundred years, to remember.