Below you will find useful information relating to Family Camp 2025, we hope this will answer many of your questions, however if you do have any other questions please get in contact via [email protected]. Do check back we will update this as we get more questions.
Quick links to the various parts of this page:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we have to camp?
No you don’t need to camp if you wish you can sleep at home and be onsite all the other times.
Can I bring my Caravan / Camper Van / trailer tent rather than a tent?
Yes you can, but we ask you not to use gas / engines / generators so as to help us manage risks from fire. We will have hot drinks available at all times, and will look to cater for all dietary requirements.
Please note: We will not allow vehicles into the campsite after Friday evening until Sunday morning, so any caravans / camper Vans / Trailer tents once arrived on Friday will have to remain until Sunday.
I don’t own a tent!
Don’t worry the group has plenty, please let us know and we will have one available when you arrive, and if you don’t know how to put it up we will find a helpful Explorer to help you.
Can I drive to my Tent to load / unload?
Yes on Friday and Sunday, very carefully, and slowly, but all cars will have to be parked in the car park during the weekend, and will not be allowed to drive into the campsite until after the closing ceremony on Sunday.
Where is Camp?
We will be camping at the end of Mapledurham Drive, Purley on Thames, RG8 8BD. To find us, come into Purley down New Hill. Turn left at the bottom, where the road bends sharply to the right, and then turn right immediately into Mapledurham Drive. This is a single track road and a one way system will be in operation. Please obey the 10mph speed limit as the road is used extensively by pedestrians and passes a well-used children’s playground. Parking will be available in an adjacent field.
What’s the site like?
We are camping on private farmland, which we will need to look after on behalf of the farmer. Limited toilet and washing facilities will be provided. Please be aware we are near to the river with limited fencing between the tents and the water. There is also a public footpath running between the site and the river, which is well used by the public.
Where can I park?
We will have an onsite car park away from campers and activities that you can park in, and access your car when you need to. There will be two locked gates you will need to open and close behind you as you come and go. If you know your only going to be onsite for a short time you may wish to park in the village and walk, but please park considerately.
Cars will be parked at your own risk.
We ask you to drive slowly when entering / leaving via Mapledurham Drive.
What meals are included?
We will provide meals from Saturday breakfast to Sunday Breakfast inclusive, as well as snacks Saturday afternoon and tea/coffee/squash throughout the weekend.
Friday evening we will arrange some food vans to be present for you to buy food from should you wish, but you could also eat before/after arriving.
Can you cater for my dietary requirements?
Hopefully, we will certainly try our best, let us know when we ask for details and we will be in touch to discuss more. The only thing to say, we are in a field, we will have built our kitchen the day everyone arrives, but will will do our best to look after everyone! But please tell us in advance, we can’t cater for things we don’t know about.
I don’t know what to bring!
Take a look at our kit list to give you an idea of what to bring, but its basically changes of clothes, sleeping stuff (night ware, sleeping bag, blankets, pillows), wash kit, and yourselves.
I don’t own <<Insert Item here>>
As a group we have various sleeping bags, chairs, lots of tents, self inflating mats and the like, so we can probably help from group stores, or suggest where things can be bought from, so just ask.
Can I bring my pet?
Sadly no you can’t bring your pet to camp. Only registered assistance animals are permitted, please let us know if this applies to you.
We have another activity Saturday Morning?
That’s fine, we will have a way you can sign in and out of camp, if you want to nip to swimming/football/dancing that’s fine, most our activities will run all day, so you shouldn’t miss out completely.
What if it rains?
We suggest bringing a coat just in case, but we will also have a very large marquee designed to get everyone inside and out of the rain should it rain.
Can I bring a stove?
Due to the numbers attending we will need to ask you all to pitch tents close to one another. Therefore, we will not be able to have any fire breaks and need to ask you not to bring any stoves, fire pits, generators etc.
I’m not camping, can I still bring a tent
Absolutely, if you want somewhere to use to get changed, somewhere to store your own things that is not a problem at all.
Can I bring and use a generator?
From both a noise and risk of fire perspective we ask you not to bring generators, if you have a need for power please speak to us in advance. We will have some plug sockets in the main marquee for device recharging.
What time can we arrive at camp?
You will be able to arrive at the site from 17.00 on Friday evening. If you can’t get there that early, it should still be light enough to put up tents until around 19.30. Please come and check in at the welcome desk when you arrive. Please remember that we will only be providing hot chocolate on Friday evening we will however have 2 catering vans available for you to purchase food from should you wish, see further down for more information.
If you are joining us for the day on Saturday, you are welcome any time from 7am breakfast onwards. Breakfast will start at 8.00 am and will be finished by 9.00 am. Again, please come and check in at the welcome desk when you arrive. Those not camping are welcome to join us for the evening social on Friday night starting at 8pm.
What are my options for Food on Friday Night?
with all the work to set up camp and run activities for the weekend, we just don’t have time to get set up and then feed everyone an evening meal on Friday as well, especially with the staggered times you will arrive. Repeating something we did in 2019 and 2022 we have arranged catering vans to come to site. They are giving a donation to the group based on their sales, so by getting fed you are supporting the group.
Pizza Tomodoro, serving freshly cooked pizzas, their menu and prices can be seen at – http://1stpandp.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/PizzaTomodoro-scaled.jpg – they will also be selling peperoni pizzas.
Fink Street Food, serving wraps, mezze bowls and loaded fries with your choice of topping their menu and prices can be seen at – http://1stpandp.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/FinkStreetFood-3.jpg – they are also looking at doing a kids chicken and chips meal.
You are of course welcome to bring your own food, and/or eat before coming to site should you wish.
I have a DBS from xyz organisation, can you use that?
Simple answer is no, we’ve no way to check the validity of any other organisations DBS, and no way to confirm its or the appropriate level. DBS’s do not cost you or the group any money to complete, therefore we apricate your support in completing these as quickly as possible.
My existing DBS is subscribed to the update service, can you use that?
Simple answer is no, the Scout Association do not subscribe to the update services. DBS’s do not cost you or the group any money to complete, therefore we apricate your support in completing these as quickly as possible.
I have a disability can I come?
Simply put yes, drop us an email and let us know what and how we can help you, and we will work with you, the only thing we can’t fix is its a farmers field and a bit bumpy, but we will work with you to make it work. But please tell us in advance, we can’t plan for things we don’t know about.
Will people be taking photos?
Due to the nature of the event a lot of photographs are likely to be taken over the weekend. The Scout Group will use these after the event in publicity, on media including but not limited to Twitter/X, Instagram, the Group’s Facebook page and Scouting websites. If anyone in your party must not appear in photographs, please inform us in writing prior to the camp. Photographs may be shared on the 1st P&P Facebook page, but we do ask you to refrain from posting on personal pages unless you have consent from all recognisable individuals.
Who should I ask if I have more questions?
Drop us an email via [email protected] and we will get back to you.
Programme
| Day | Time | What |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | 17:00 | Arrivals on site |
| 20:00 | Welcome Briefing & Social Quiz | |
| 21:30 | Hot Chocolate | |
| 22:00 | Suggested Children’s Bedtime | |
| Saturday | 08:00 | Breakfast |
| 09:15 | ||
| 09:30 > 12:30 | Morning Activties | |
| 12:30 > 13:30 | Lunch Break | |
| 13:30 > 17:00 | Afternoon Activities | |
| 17:00 | Clear up time | |
| 18:00 | Awards and AGM | |
| 19:00 | BBQ | |
| 20:30 | Campfire | |
| 21:30 | Hot Chocolate | |
| 22:00 | Suggested Children’s Bedtime | |
| Sunday | 08:30 | Breakfast |
| 10:00 | Goodbyes and Thank yous |
Kit List
This is a guide only based on what we usually ask young people to bring to Camp but we are sure you will also have your own ideas of what you require.
If you need any help or assistance with regard to equipment for the weekend, the Group has a small supply of camping items, as well as plenty of tents, so please ask. We are happy to offer help and advice wherever possible to help make your weekend an enjoyable one.
- Warm sweater(s) / jumper – Remember the nights could be cold
- T-shirts or similar
- Trousers or shorts (jeans less useful as if they get wet, they hold the water – ¾ length trousers / shorts ideal)
- Spare underclothes and socks
- Nightwear
- Training shoes and / or a 2nd pair particularly if the weather looks as though it could be wet and / or undertaking the water activities – you need closed toe shoes for some activities. Crocs / Sliders are fine for going to the loo in the night, not great for the day.
- Swimwear and clothes AND shoes suitable for water activities (not flip flops or Crocs)
- Towel
- Plastic bags for dirty / wet clothes
- Personal washing requirements
- Waterproof jacket / Waterproof Trousers
- Sun hat (or baseball cap etc.), sun tan lotion, sunglasses etc.
- Tent
- Sleeping Bags(s)
- Something to sleep on – Sleeping mat / Karri mat / self inflating mat / yoga mat
- Camp blanket – if you’ve got one these are great for round the campfire and keeping warm overnight.
- Other blanket – if you’ve not got a camp blanket always useful, look at the forecast for overnight, layers are really useful, if you’ve not got a blanket bring a duvet.
- Pillow(s)
- Mug for drinks (ideally plastic)
- Drinks container / water bottle
- Torch and spare batteries
- Power bank for re-charging devices – we will have some limited charging facilities.
- Camping / picnic chair if you have one for around the fire – We will have benches in the main marquee for eating
- For parents – obviously food & drink will be provided centrally throughout the weekend but you may wish to bring your own beverages for the evening (e.g. soft drink, a bottle of wine or a can or two) however you will remain responsible for your children at all times. Scout Association rules regarding alcohol at camp are clear: Adults must not consume alcohol when they are directly responsible for young people on a Scouting activity and must not permit young people (aged under 18 years) to consume alcohol on Scouting activities.
1st Purley and Pangbourne Scout Group and its Leaders can take NO responsibility for the loss or damage of any personal belongings.
Previous Updates
Update 1 – Sent 6th June 2025 – Click Here to Read
Launching the badge competition, overview of how DBS’s work, and sharing the FAQ.
Update 2 – Sent 11th July 2025 – Click here to Read
Update on numbers, payments, and DBS’s.
Update 3 – Sent August 2025 – Click here to Read
Sharing the health form, and kit list.
Update 4 – Sent 30th August 2025 – Click here to Read
Two weeks to go! – Joining instructions, Friday night food, and many many other things
Update 5 – Sent 7th September 2025 – Click here to Read
Everything? you need to know
If you are still not sure on something, want some help or support drop us an email via [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
