Gilwell 24 FAQs
When is the booking form and information leaflet going to be out this year?
The information form and booking leaflet should arrive with you by the end of March. It will also be availble online as an electronic version. We will start to process bookings from the 1st April on a first come first served basis - once you booking has been processed you will receive an email confirmation containing further information.
Do I have to stay up for 24 hours?
It is a 24 hour event, we do not timetable for sleep and activities run for 24 hours. However we do recommend you bring a tent for when it all gets too much and need to crash?
Can we attend without a leader?
Yes you can but you need to get your leader or DESC to assign you an event passport.
How do I get an event passport?
Your leader or DESC will be able to provide one for you. Event passports are available from information centre at Gilwell Park
Can I come alone?
Yes you can come by yourself as long as you have your event passport with you
Can you join me with a group?
There will be possibilities for you to join with others for a range of activities and we will be able to join you with people for taking part in Gilwell Gauntlet, Gilwell Marathon and other team based activities
Can leaders take part in activities?
Some activities will be made available for leaders. We will also be running first response and a leader training course at the event (subject to confirmation)
Is there a quiet area for drivers to sleep?
There will be a designated quiet area for drivers to pitch up and get a good nights rest. This area is quite a distance from both the activities and the rest of the camping areas. You may wish to assign leaders to camp at your base camp while your driver can get a good nights rest.
Will there be food available?
Yes there will be a snack bar operating during the event and our onsite coke bar providing instant refreshment. The snack bar will be operated by the onsite catering company who cater for other events like Winter Camp and provide day to day food the main offices onsite. It will operate from the Main Hall in the international centre. A full menu and times will be published shortly. Winter Camp and Gilwell 24 are the only official events run by Gilwell Park for the Explorer age range and are catered by Sodexho who hold the catering contract for Gilwell Park.
When do we have to book by?
The closing date for the event is 12th June 2008. This is to ensure that T-Shirts, meals and activities are suitable for the expected numbers.
What do we need to bring?
A tent for when you get tired. Spare change of clothes (for those muddy activities), food or money to buy food, event passport, consent forms, swim wear and towel. You should also arrive at Gilwell wearing the top half of your uniform. This year we will again be running the Gilwell Marathon, its up to you if you run - standard lightweight hike equipment will be needed and this will be taking on a new format from the last few years. (Hiking Boots, Day Sack, Waterbottle etc) Further information on this activity will be available shortly the duration of this will be no more than four hours.
Why should I come to this event and not others?
Because Gilwell 24 is the only event where you are kept busy with a wide range of activities for 24 hours not to mention the Gilwell Gauntlet where you have physical and mental challenges to compete for the honour of being Gilwell Gauntlet Champions. There is no event like it for Explorers and Senior Section Guides.
Can we arrive on Friday night? **
This year we are offering a £33 package (rather than the standard £26 package) for participants who wish to arrive on Friday night. The standard leader fee is now still £12. Friday night you will be able to get your basecamp setup and meet some of the other groups before getting an early night - or not depending on your unit. The snack bar will be open for some of the evening. We will also be running some activities and competitions for those of you that want a headstart. The Disco and other entertainment will also be available.
Can we bring extra people on the day?
You can bring up to 3 extra people on the day.
Please note we will are not able to guarantee T-Shirts for these people.
I'm a Senior Section Guide over 18, Explorer who hasn't joined a Network Unit or anyone else who is over 18 how can I take part
Gilwell 24 is run for members of the Explorer Section and Senior Section Guide Section aged between 14 and 18. The activities provided will be aimed at members of this age range and those linking from younger sections. Unfortunately if you are aged over 18 you will not be able to attend as a participant. Instead you may want to consider helping with another unit that is coming to the event or possibly applying to join the staff for Gilwell 24. Please email info@gilwell24.info if you are interested in coming to work on the staff for the actual event or on the build team the week before.