About Us
We are a busy and active Group near the New Forest and coast in the village of Highcliffe.
We have a Squirrel Scout Drey, Beaver Scout Colony, a Cub Scout Pack and a Scout Troop, as well as a partnered Explorer Scout Unit, called Nyeri (named after the resting place of the Scout movement’s Founding Father, Lord Baden Powell). The Group is run by volunteer Adult Leaders and Young Leaders, with support from parents and our wider community.
Officially, Highcliffe Scout Group is the 5th Christchurch (Highcliffe) Scout Group, and we are a part of Christchurch District Scouts. Our site is set to the rear of St Marks Primary School, accessed off Chewton Common Road, and is courtesy of a lease with Sir George Meyrick. We have a large hall, that has served as our headquarters since the 60’s, and a large, attached storage garage. Our grounds back on to Chewton Common.
The Group Lead Volunteer is Andy Hewitt, and the Chair of the Trustee Board is currently vacant. There is a full leadership team and an active Trustee Board who all contribute to making scouting happen in Highcliffe. Scouting is popular and one of our biggest current problems is that we are full in Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts with a large waiting list for most sections. Our group is a charity (registered charity no. 302216), although governed by the Scout Association (registration no. 34688). The Scout Association sets policies and rules, insures all its members, and supports scouting.
The Group has its own Highcliffe Activity Wear online shop, which provides supplemental clothing items to the basic mandatory uniform. We also run an annual online and doorstep plant sale each spring.
Highcliffe Scout Group is part of a much bigger scouting community; district scouting; county scouting; national scouting; and last, but not least worldwide scouting.
- Christchurch District Scouts our District
- Christchurch Explorer Scouts our closest Unit
- Braggers Wood camping and activity centre (belongs to our District)
- Dorset County Scouts our County
- Buddens camping and activity centre (belongs to our County)
- Scout Association aka Headquarters and has loads of information
- Scout online shop (belongs to our Scout Association)
- Worldwide Scouts
