{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EReady to celebrate an extra special year? 2027 will be 120 years since the first experimental Scout camp on Brownsea Island in Dorset run by the first Chief Scout, Robert Baden-Powell.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis is an exciting milestone that will be marked across the world, and it\u2019s extra special for UK Scouts as the founding nation. \u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EWhat\u2019s planned? \u00A0\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThere are already two international events taking place in 2027 \u2013 The 26th World Scout Jamboree in Poland in July-August 2027 and the 44th World Scout Conference in London in November 2027. These are major gatherings, attended by Scouts from around the world. \u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EUK Scouts can mark the birthday in a number of ways.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":true,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThis special occasional badge can be worn proudly by every young person and volunteer in UK Scouts throughout 2027. It should be worn in the same place as other occasional badges \u2013 above the left pocket/above the World Membership Badge. It may also be bought by anyone around the world or in the UK as a souvenir.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://shop.scouts.org.uk/new-in/120-years-of-scouts-occasional-uniform-badge-114665#selection.size=7331\u0026amp;selection.color=7469\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022120 years of Scouts uniform badge\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#selection.size=7331\u0026amp;selection.color=7469\u0022\u003EBuy the official 120 Years of Scouts uniform badge from Scout Store\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"The official 120 Years of Scouts uniform badge"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWe will also use the 120th anniversary as a special theme for our events. Our Thanksgiving Service at Westminster Abbey in February, our Day of Celebration and Achievement at Windsor Castle in April and Gilwell Reunion in September will all reflect the 120th anniversary.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"120 themed national events"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIf you\u2019re holding a camp or sleepover in 2027, you could give it a 120 birthday theme. \u0026nbsp;\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou might also want to think of a 120 themed challenge for your section or group as a celebration or fundraiser.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","label":"120 themed local camps and challenges"}]},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EFlexible and optional \u0026nbsp;\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u0027ll share more ideas and options on how you could celebrate in 2027 soon.\u00A0We appreciate how busy you, our volunteers are, so celebrating this anniversary is, of course, completely optional. Although the actual birthday of Scouts is 1 August 2027, there is also flexibility on when and how you celebrate. \u00A0\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003ETurn your 120 plans into a fundraising celebration\u0026nbsp;\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOur big birthday is a brilliant chance to celebrate together. But have you thought about turning your celebration into a fundraiser to support the amazing opportunities your group provides? Here are some ideas to get you started.\u202F\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAsk local businesses to support you through sponsorship or donations.\u00A0\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EExplore \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-things-locally/grants-and-funds-for-your-local-group/\u0022 title=\u0022Grants and funds for your local group\u0022\u003Egrants and funds available to local groups\u003C/a\u003E, and boost donations with Gift Aid.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThink about how you can link your fundraising to a clear project \u2013 for example, new kit for an upcoming hike or camp, activity resources or hut improvements. If people know exactly what they\u2019re contributing to, they\u2019re much more likely to support you because they can see the impact their donation will make.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBy celebrating and fundraising together, you can shine a spotlight on Scouts, strengthen links between the sections, and help your group grow.\u202F\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/o5clwx2k/scouts-closing-ceremony.jpg","width":3486,"height":2324,"altText":"A group of young people cheer and celebrate while wearing neckers.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003ESharing your birthday stories\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis is a great moment to share your celebrations wider. By following some simple advice, you can shine the spotlight on your group in local media and on social media too. All of this will help you attract more volunteers and grow.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou\u2019ll find some support with writing press release for your birthday events and activities in the \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-things-locally/local-media-and-member-communications/media-toolkit/writing-press-releases/\u0022 title=\u0022Writing press releases\u0022\u003EWriting press releases support area\u003C/a\u003E. You can also access more resources to help with \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-things-locally/local-media-and-member-communications/\u0022 title=\u0022Local media and member communications\u0022\u003Elocal media and member communications\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EWhat other anniversaries are we celebrating in 2027?\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ELike the triple birthday of Squirrels, Beavers and Cubs in 2026, it\u2019s another bumper year for us in 2027. We\u2019re also celebrating the 120th birthday of the Scout Section, and Explorers\u2019 25th birthday too. There will also be a uniform badge to celebrate these milestones too, available in November 2026. \u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003ETell us about your celebrations \u0026nbsp;\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you\u2019re planning an event or celebration to mark 120th Years of Scouts, we\u2019d love to hear about it. Let us know at \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:support@scouts.org.uk\u0022\u003Esupport@scouts.org.uk\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]},{"items":[{"type":"Image top","cta":"Buy the 120 Years of Scouts uniform badge","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe official 120 Years of Scouts uniform badge can be purchased from Scout Store.\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"120 years of Scouts uniform badge","id":null,"url":"https://shop.scouts.org.uk/new-in/120-years-of-scouts-occasional-uniform-badge-114665#selection.size=7331\u0026selection.color=7469","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":"#590fa9","title":"120 Years of Scouts uniform badge","image":"/media/pjdp2ist/120-years-fabric-badge.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dd50ec32e427a0","imageFocus":"","imageId":91347,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"Find out how you and your Scouts can celebrate the 120th anniversary of the World Scout Movement.","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"","versionDate":"18 September 2026","reviewDate":"01/01/0001","redirectUrl":"","id":91231,"nodeName":"120 years of Scouts","title":"120 years of Scouts","type":"contentPage","image":{"url":"/media/o5clwx2k/scouts-closing-ceremony.jpg?cc=0.0000000000000002469067421560,0.027332115499737124,0,0.12891788450026304\u0026width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dd559d86581990","caption":"Scouts Closing Ceremony","type":"jpg","size":4744936,"width":3486,"height":2324,"altText":"A group of young people cheer and celebrate while wearing neckers."},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Help celebrate 120 years of Scouts","headerSubTitle":"You and your Scouts are invited to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the World Scout Movement","headerCta":"","headerCtaText":"","headerCtaLink":"","headerBackgroundColour":"590fa9","showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":[]},"subHeader":"Find out how you and your Scouts can celebrate the 120th anniversary of the World Scout Movement.","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC85MTIzMSJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/national-events/120-years-of-scouts/"}