North Hambleton Scouts District Camp 2026

Our first District Camp at Barney Beck is but a memory now, all the work that went into the event ahead of last weekend. Memories of sheltering from the thunder storms on Friday, adapting the programme to fit, being flexible to section leaders requests, rustling up a Fan Zone so those older Scouts and Explorers could watch the England game. 200 young people invading Bolton Castle and not least the cheers of joy when the ice cream van rolled onto the site.

Our first District Camp at Barney Beck already feels like one of those stories we’ll be telling for years. All that planning, all that graft in the run‑up… and then suddenly it was here, wild weather and all.

We’ll remember huddling under shelters on Friday as the thunder rolled in, reshaping the programme on the fly, and working with section leaders to make sure every young person still got the weekend they deserved. We’ll remember pulling together a last‑minute Fan Zone so the older Scouts and Explorers could cheer on England. We’ll remember 200 young people taking over Bolton Castle like they owned the place. And of course, the moment of pure, unfiltered joy when the ice cream van appeared on site and the whole camp erupted.

It was chaotic, brilliant, exhausting, and completely unforgettable, the kind of weekend that reminds you exactly why we do this.

Phil Scurrah  – Trustee Board Member 

Thanks for your invite; was truly great to see so many youngsters having a great time, and reminds me why we all do what we do.

With the clear success of District Camp 2026, and now I’ve got the Bionic Hip, feel free to put me down for a hands on role for the next one.

Mark Turner  – District Lead Volunteer 

“North Hambleton District Camp 2026 wasn’t defined by the weather, it was defined by its people. Our Programme & Activities teams who provided a broadrange of activities forall our young people. Our Site Services Team who quietly held the whole camp together, solving problems before anyone knew they existed. And every volunteer who believed in the vision from the very first ‘what if we…?’ Together, you turned challenge into community, chaos into joy, and a wild weekend into something unforgettable. North Hambleton rose — not because the skies were kind, but because you were.”

Danielle Cutler – NHDS Programme Team Lead

“What a way to kick things off!

Our first District event was everything we hoped it would be, full of smiles, laughter, new experiences and the true spirit of Scouting. It was brilliant to see so many young people and volunteers coming together, getting involved and making the most of the event.
For us, this is just the start. The success of this event has given us so much enthusiasm for what’s to come, and we’re excited to keep building a programme that brings our District together. We want to create more opportunities for adventure, challenge and fun, giving every young person the chance to make memories they’ll never forget.
A massive thank you goes to everyone who played a part in making the event happen. Whether you helped behind the scenes, ran an activity or simply came along and threw yourself into it, you helped make it a success.
We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve started, and even more excited about where we’re heading. If this first event is anything to go by, the future of North Hambleton is looking very bright. We can’t wait to see you at the next one!”

Lu – UK lead for Beavers 

Attending the North Hambleton District Camp was a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding experience. It was particularly lovely to experience a camp in a different district and county, offering the opportunity to see different approaches, share ideas, and learn from others. It was fantastic to see the strong friendships and bonds that developed between the young people throughout the camp, creating a welcoming and supportive atmosphere. It was also a pleasure to meet new leaders, build new connections, and exchange experiences. One of the highlights was the trip to the castle, which provided a unique and memorable activity that added real depth to the camp beyond the usual programme. It was such a valuable experience that I will certainly look to incorporate similar visits into my own camps in the future, helping to create an even richer and more meaningful experience for the young people.