ARE YOU READY TO EVOLVE?
Evolution completely evolved in 2022 and is now a multi-activity challenge for Cubs and Brownies. Evolution is a whole weekend activity camp for Cubs and Brownies that takes place in Cirencester Park. With 1,000 young people, non-stop fun, adventure and activity from Friday-Sunday, it’s an event you won’t want to miss!
The Main Event is a challenge and adventure day that takes place in the ‘Play Area’, which covers 15 acres of Cirencester Park split into Hubs. Closer to the event we’ll let you know what you will need to bring but every participant will need be ready to do some basic map reading, teamwork and to have fun!
Looking for something for Explorers or Rangers? Check out Strategy!
We have been lucky enough to secure Cirencester Park as the venue for our events. There are over 3,000 acres with a mix of woodland and fields. Plenty for everyone to get lost in and the camping area is pretty much flat!
We are allowed to use the park each year with kind permission from the Bathurst Estate.
FAQs
Teams will consist of between four and six participants. The only exception to this is where you only have seven participants in which case they are all in one team.
Absolutely! While the ‘Play Area’ is a large area it’s split over four ‘horse rides’ (see google maps image below) which are wide open spaces in which young people can easily be seen. We also follow all adult-young person ratios so there will be plenty of Leaders around to support participants. Recognising the younger age groups we’ll also have more visual aids marking out the Play Area, out of bound areas and where young people can get help if they need it.
Feedback from last year’s event highlighted that most leaders are confident in their teams participating independently going forwards.
However we recognise some may remain uncertain, or be first time attendees, and so for 2023 will continue to allow one leader, or preferably young leader, to walk with teams.
Adults and young leaders may not assist with activities, except where there is a pre-identified access need for a young person.
As you might expect there is limited shelter in the Play Area. In the extremely unlikely event that weather becomes too hot (or wet!) and poses a danger to participants and leaders, the event organisers will implement pre-agreed plans to bring all back to site.
Yes. All young people will be supplied with a packed lunch before the Main Event begins which they will carry with them. Leaders will also need to check they have a full water bottle. In the Play Area a water re-filling point will be available.
Well we hope fun! But many of the activities have been planned to incorporate elements of learning and over half have a direct link to badgework. There’s also the chance to win the coveted Evolution trophies: one for accompanied and one for unaccompanied teams!
On top of your responsibility for looking after your young people we also ask that Leaders and Young Leaders not supporting their sections Team help run bases during the Main Event and do one other small task on the Main Site (like helping serve dinner).
If you have more leaders/young leaders wishing to attend than are required by ratios they may wish to sign up as a Helper.
In advance of the events we run ‘Job Shop’ where you can let us know your preference for what sort of jobs you’d prefer (particularly if you hold relevant permits). We’ll do our best to match people to preferences, but this isn’t always possible.
Job Shop will open in April and all Leaders/Young Leaders will be allocated their two jobs by the end of May. This will give you time to make appropriate plans with your team and let us know of any issues.
We rely on Leaders to help run bases and this year we will award an additional 10 points to your team(s) if you complete your allocated base shift and you’ll be entered into a Leaders Draw to win a £15 Cotswold Outdoor Voucher for use with your group. Don’t worry though you won’t be made to attend all day as shifts are split between morning and afternoon.
Cirencester Park plays host to Strategy and Evolution with our team taking the stress out of the whole event. We provide full catering, hot water, running warm water wash and toilet facilities, so leaders and participants can enjoy themselves.
In the evenings there is a whole host of entertainment; In The Venue there’s a disco, talent show and host of onstage shenanigans. We also have The Café where you can get scrummy hot and cold food and drinks to keep you going. It also houses an eye watering pick’n’mix display in our Tuckshop!
Looking for something for Scout or Guides? Check out Strategy!
As well as all the fun above, make sure you check out The Retreat. Our onsite Bar and Leader area. It hosts a selection of drinks plus an opportunity to relax and unwind with other Leaders and Helpers.
FAQs
Evolution is open to Cubs and Brownies.
Scout groups will need a campsite permit holder and Guide groups will need a licence holder in attendance. If you do not have the relevant qualification, please let us know and we will try to partner you up with another willing leader!
Please go to the download section for part completed camp permit forms (Guide ORA info) for you to use.
We are aiming to have 2,000 participants at Strategy and 1,000 at Evolution. On top of that there will also be leaders and helpers. However it all depends on how many people turn up!
It is essential that we keep the number of tents you bring to a minimum, otherwise we will not have enough space for activities. Six berth tents are better, and please don’t bring additional mess tents or similar shelters. Vehicles will not be allowed in camping areas even for unloading.
Yes you can bring an event shelter, we do charge per event shelter and these can be booked via your booking account.
Yes, unfortunately we can’t allocate camping spaces but let the team in Hi-Vis jackets know how many tents and they can make sure you have enough space.
There are toilets on site, with basic hand-washing facilities. You will need to bring your own bowls for personal washing, for which we will provide the hot water. For safety reasons there will be no open fires, stoves or BBQs. We provide a location to get boiling water throughout the weekend.
The retreat is our adults only area that opens each evening. It’s a space to unwind and relax while chatting to other leaders and your young people enjoy the entertainment in the venue. The area does contain a bar that will serve a range of drinks. We will do ID checks on anyone lucky enough to look under 25 before they are served. No drinks may be brought into or removed from this area. Any under 18’s on camp will not be allowed into this area.
Unfortunately due to the terms of the site license no dogs (other than guide dogs) are allowed on site. this includes during drop off and pickup.
There will be a clear one way system and sufficient parking in a separate area to the camping area. To prevent congestion, please restrict the number of pick-up vehicles to a minimum at the end of the event. The organisers will not accept any responsibility for damage to vehicles.
There are toilets on site, with basic hand-washing facilities. You will need to bring your own bowls for personal washing, for which we will provide the hot water. For safety reasons there will be no open fires, BBQs, stoves or gas lights.
We provide a location to get boiling water throughout the weekend.
Absolutely, if the entrance gate is closed when they arrive there is the site number for them to ring and we will send somebody down to open it. This is the same if you have a participant or leader who needs to leave site. Please make sure you let us know at the admin tent if somebody is arriving or leaving (you do not need to do this if they are leaving on Sunday)
While every group should come equipped to deal with their own minor injuries, we do have professional medical cover on site. They’re great for getting a second opinion or for anything more complex.
Lets get you booked in! Bookings open on the 1st December 2024. Simply follow the link below or head to our bookings page where you can start your Strategy adventure today!
