Guide and Scout badges

Since the pioneering Freeland Scouts found their way to us at Wytham Woods in early 2022 to do their naturalist and forester badges, we’ve been receiving a steady stream of interest from Scout and Guide. Thanks so much to the Freeland leaders for spreading the word!

We run a mix of activities which more than cover both badges and give everyone a great day out: tree ID, training in safe and effective use of saws and loppers, hazel coppicing and making wildlife habitat piles, tree planting, signs of spring nature ID walk, bush craft skills, nature recording through drawing, and more! And lunch round the camp fire.

We run the days from about 9 - 4, but we are very flexible to meet your needs. Depending on the time of year and therefore the activities we include, we might suggest you arrive at Wytham Woods car park which is accessed from Wytham Village off the A34 (or from Wolvercote), or at the Hill End Outdoor Education Centre off the Eynsham Road between Farmoor and Botley. Both have easy access for minibuses and cars, and parking by arrangement.

If you’d like to bring your group to do a badge day, with seasonal adjustments, please get in touch with kim.polgreen@admin.ox.ac.uk.

We can also offer camping at Bean Wood, accessed via Hill End.