
Welcome to Ely Scout District
Contact: David Briston, District Commissioner
Tel: 01353 861508
email: dc@elydistrictscouts.org.uk
Scout Groups in Ely District
Ely District covers the City of Ely, with its magnificent Cathedral, and surrounding Fenland towns and villages. There are 7 different scout groups and a growing District Explorer Scout Unit within the District.
Our Scout Groups
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Over 320 youth members meet weekly supported by an enthusiastic team of leaders who provide a wide range of activities for both boys & girls aged 6 years upwards to ensure Scouting is both challenging and fun for the young people and adults alike.
Many leaders have additional qualifications, which together with County Activity advisers, allow us to offer extra activities such as archery, abseiling, kayaking, hill walking, International events, Duke of Edinburgh's Award and many more adventurous pursuits.
Scouting is Expanding across Ely & District
- January 2008 - Beavers re-opened in Haddenham
- February 2008 - Beavers opened in Stretham
- June 2008 - New (2nd) Scout Troop opened in Ely
The demand for Scouting continues to grow amongst boys and girls due to the popularity of local Scouting, challenging programmes and opportunities on offer and the rapid expansion of new housing.
With waiting lists increasing, so we are now actively looking to open the following sections:
- 1st Ely - an extra Cub Pack
- Stretham - a Cub pack
- Witchford - a Beaver Colony
Join the fun as an Adult volunteer
We urgently need offers of Adult help, as Leaders, managers, administrators or as skills instructors from people are team players with a sense of fun and adventure to allow us to increase the Scouting opportunities across the District. You also get a chance to join in the activities (if you wish). Training provided. There is no upper age limit.
Scouting modernisation in Ely
Building work started in September on 1st Ely Scout Group's new Scout Centre. The old HQ has been demolished, hefty piles have been hammered in and the footings are being dug.
The substantial fund-raising and donations were added to by various grants, the most recent being a massive £50,000 from W.R.E.N.
It is hoped the new Scout Centre will be in use for weekly meetings of Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts & Scout meetings by Easter 2009.
Denmark Summer 2008
Ely is twinned with Ribe, in Denmark, and through its regular contact with Ribe-Hviding Scout Group.
33 Scouts & Explorer Scouts recently returned from Denmark and fuller details can be found in their weblog at:
/districts/ely/denmarknews.html
16/17 May 2008: 36 Beaver Scouts attend Olympiad
36 boys & girls from Ely & District Beaver are this weekend attending an olympic event making Australian rain sticks, African Lion masks, Italian flags, learning about the Eiffel tower & eurostar, and Indian headresses. Sleeping over at their olympic village ready to carry the olympic torches to the games to round off the weekend with a collection of trophies.
February 2008: Stretham Beaver Scouts re-open
Beaver Scouting has re-started in Stretham after 4 years. Beaver Scout Leader, Sharon Burling, recruited 2 additional adults to join her leader team and 16 ( 6 - 8 year old) boys and girls are now enjoying the Scouting Adventure in Stretham again.
With Beavers a reality for Stretham and a rapidly growing waiting list for both Beavers and Cubs, the Scout Group is looking to recruit:
- A support committee to relieve the leaders of admin & fund-raising tasks,
- A Cub Pack (3 volunteers are needed to form the Cub Scout Leader team),
- A Group Manager.
To assist the Group in either an uniformed, or non-uniformed, volunteer, please contact Acting Group Scout Leader, David Briston (01353 861508) or dc@elydistrictscouts.co.uk
18-20 Jan. 2008: Denmark Hospitality
Kurt Rahr and his Ribe Leader team provided first rate hospitality to Ely's District Commissioner and the Ely Scouting team when they visited West Jutland recently in preparation for the July 2008 Ely Scout & Explorer Scout expedition.
10 Jan. 2008: Haddenham Beaver Scouts re-opened
The colony re-opened under new leadership. Additional help is needed, to maintain & widen the range of activities on offer.
For further details, including offers of help at Cubs & Scouts contact the Haddenham Scout Group Manager: David Pollard 01353 740298 david-pollard-haddenham@elydistrictscouts.org.uk
District Explorer Scout Unit
The District's Explorer Scout Unit provides a varied and challenging range of outdoor activities for the 14 to 18 age range, with options including the chance to become Young Leaders and/or participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme.
Scout Fellowship
Ely District Scout Fellowship is an adult group (some uniformed, some non-uniformed) providing active support to District Scouting.
Contact the District Commissioner for more information; email dc@elydistrictscouts.org.uk or telephone 01353 861508









