As we reflect on 2024, we’re proud to share the progress, achievements, and learnings from another dynamic and purposeful year. Our collective aim has remained steadfast: to champion a high-quality, inclusive, and engaging programme that empowers young people across Nottinghamshire to gain skills for life.
There was a fantastic number of top awards gained In 2024:
Each one of these awards represents true dedication, ambition and hard work, so a massive congratulations to everyone who earned a top award in 2024. A big thank you goes to our volunteers who have enabled and championed our young people to become high achievers!
It’s been another outstanding year for the Notts Scouts Adventure Team, marked by exciting milestones and impactful achievements. A standout highlight was the first-time use of Hoveringham Activity Centre as part of our County Camp. Over the bank holiday weekend, an impressive 760 activity slots were delivered, giving Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers the chance to take on thrilling water-based adventures. This not only showcased the versatility of the site but also brought our commitment to providing high-quality, accessible adventure to life on a whole new scale.
Outside of The BIG Weekend, the team provided a phenomenal 28,769 activity hours, meaning thousands of young people from Nottinghamshire were able to take to the water in 2024. We also saw the introduction of new activities, such as the Mega SUPs (Stand up Paddleboards), which have been a very popular addition to the programme. The team have also provided nearly 6,000 activity hours for adult training and permit assessments to help make adventurous activities more accessible to our groups.
The work on the new activity centre building is progressing well and will ensure we can cement the long-term future of this fantastic programme offering with improved facilities and a more sustainable building.
None of this would be possible without the tireless dedication of our activity instructors and management teams, so a massive thank you to the 110 volunteers who continue to make the activity team a huge success.
2024 marked the long-awaited return of our County Camp, The BIG Weekend, our first in six years, and it did not disappoint. The organising team truly went above and beyond, dedicating 18 months of hard work, creativity, and commitment to bring this incredible event to life.
Despite facing significant challenges - most notably the unexpected flooding of our original venue at Southwell Racecourse during the winter of 2023/24 - the team remained resilient and solution-focused. Their determination paid off as we secured a fantastic new home at Newark Showground, allowing the camp to go ahead without compromise.
The BIG Weekend was packed with excitement, offering old favourites like climbing, archery, craft, and shooting, alongside new and exciting activities including our driving school, dunk tank, and silent disco. The energy across the site was electric as over 3,000 participants from every district in Nottinghamshire came together to celebrate all that Scouting stands for. It was a weekend filled with adventure, laughter, and a powerful sense of community that will be remembered for years to come. We can’t wait to bring the camp back in 2026!
A massive thank you to all members of our organising team, staff teams and group volunteers who made the weekend a huge success.
2025 marks a remarkable milestone for the Nottingham Gang Show as it celebrates its 75th anniversary – a true testament to the enduring magic of performing arts in Scouting. Preparations are already well underway as the dedicated team are working tirelessly to deliver another dazzling production on the prestigious Theatre Royal stage.
Auditions held in September saw a record-breaking number of young people step up to be part of the show, resulting in an incredible cast line-up: 123 senior cast members (aged 10+) and 63 junior performers (ages 8–10) will light up the stage in this high-energy, fast-paced variety spectacular.
This show wouldn’t be possible without the phenomenal efforts of over 70 volunteers who are bringing it all to life – from the visionary production team to the backstage crew and talented orchestra. Their commitment is providing young people with a truly life-changing opportunity to build confidence, creativity, and lifelong memories. We can't wait to see the curtain rise in March 2025 as Nottingham Gang Show once again delivers a night to remember!
2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the programme team. From the launch of brand-new county events to the much-anticipated return of the Nottingham Gang Show, there’s a real sense of momentum and excitement.
One of the standout developments will be the commencement of construction of the new activity centre building at Hoveringham – a major step forward in enhancing our adventure offering for young people across Nottinghamshire. This sees a substantial financial contribution Nottinghamshire Scouts and cements our commitment to the long-term success of this fantastic activity offering.
We’re also expanding our Programme Team to strengthen the support we provide to sections week in, week out. With new resources, fresh inspiration, and a renewed focus on consistency, we’re committed to ensuring that every young person experiences a high-quality, engaging, and inclusive programme.
