Brownsea Island Scout camp, Historic Scout campsite on Brownsea Island, England
Brownsea Island Scout camp is a campsite located on an island in Poole and managed by the National Trust to support Scout and Guide group visits. The site offers open fields and woodland areas where groups can pitch tents and conduct outdoor activities.
The camp began in 1907 when Robert Baden-Powell founded the first experimental Scout camp on this island, bringing together about twenty boys from different social backgrounds. This event marked the start of the organized Scout movement and set standards for youth camping that continue to this day.
The patrol group names reflect the organizational structure that Baden-Powell originally created, with visitors today staying in these same divisions. This arrangement shapes daily life at the camp and creates a sense of community that remains active today.
Visits are available only to organized Scout and Guide groups that must reserve spaces in advance and follow National Trust guidelines. Good weather resistance and self-sufficiency are needed, as basic facilities are fundamental and medical help depends on island access.
Visitors receive a brass fleur-de-lis badge identical to those given to the original participants in 1907. This symbol connects modern campers directly to the first Scouts who stayed here.
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