Over the past few weeks, there’s been a lot of chatter about the future of Kinver Scout Camp.
A lot of people are extremely anxious about the news that management at Kinver Scout Camp is changing, and there are obviously worries about its future.
A small group of us are keeping in touch with Hereford & Worcester (who own and manage the camp), in an effort to ensure the best outcome for the Scout Camp.
The Big Question: Is Kinver Scout Camp Being Sold?
No.
The camp isn’t for sale, and it won’t be. Charity law and the site’s covenants make selling it a non-starter. What’s changing is who manages the camp day-to-day.
What About Scout Groups? Will We Still Have Access?
Yes, you will.
The plan is for Scouts to keep using Kinver. There’s a short transition coming up – Scout bookings will pause from mid-January while the tender process happens. Put simply, because hosting scout groups requires Kinver to provide staff and resources which no longer exist, it’s not possible to accommodate them.
What about private companies?
Commercial bookings (where you manage your own activities) will keep going during the transition. You should receive an email from Hereford and Worcester Scouts explaining this. If you haven’t, then they may have the incorrect details for your company, so get in touch with them.
What’s the Timeline?
Here’s what we’ve been told so far:
| Date | What’s Happening |
| Mid-December | Tender pack (about 50 pages) ready for bidders |
| January 8th | Public meeting at the Compa Hut, 7pm |
| January | Open day for legitimate tender bidders (not public) |
| March | Preferred bidders chosen |
| May | Tender process wraps up |
If you want to hear more or ask questions, that January 8th meeting is your moment.
Who Can Run the Camp Next?
The trustees are looking for organisations that can keep Kinver running.
They told us at the meeting that they would not accept bids from charities with no commercial operations, citing the fact they don’t believe a purely charity-based system would work.
We’re querying this position, charities have handled much larger operations, so we believe this would work.
They have said that a Community Interest Company (CIC) or a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) is acceptable.
They made it clear that the camp needs to stay financially healthy and open.
What About the Camp’s History?
Volunteers are working hard to find, catalogue, and protect the artifacts and photos that tell the camp’s story. Some things are buried in boxes (literally containers inside containers), but they’re working on finding and cataloguing everything.
There are boxes and boxes of photos, which will hopefully find a home where they can be viewed by everyone.
Also, there have been requests from the public for the plaques on The Cloisters to be removed and returned to families. However, they’re currently refusing to do this as the whole Cloisters structure is to be moved from its current position down to near the car park, meaning people will be free to visit it.
A Few More Details
- The camp’s in good financial shape, even if it’s technically a “depreciating asset.” However, it needs investment.
- Volunteers will still be a big part of keeping the place running.
- The trustee board will pick the new management. You’ll have seen recently a Facebook post asking for volunteers to join the selection panel: https://www.scoutshw.org.uk/kinver-campsite-tender-selection-panel
- Communication isn’t stopping here. We’ll keep you in the loop as things move forward.
Key Finding:
Scouts Hereford & Worcester have indicated that they wish to keep the camp running, and that this process is to ensure that.
We will continue to have meetings with them and will update you as we get new information.
Next?
Come to the meeting on the 8th Jan at the Scout Camp.
H&W Trustees have offered to provide refreshments, and they will have representatives there who can answer questions, provide even more information and also explain the tender documents more.
Please click below and fill out the form if you plan to attend.