We get it, you’ve got a lot to do and amongst remembering the kit, sending out information letters and just about everything else that goes along with organising a camp, it can be a stressful time, so we want to make it as stress-free as possible. To help we’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions to make planning your visit even easier.

Activities

I have my own qualification, can I run the activity?

If you hold a qualification or permit for an activity and it fulfils the criteria for your relevant organisation, then this will allow you to run the activity and we may be able to offer you a discount on the activity booking. If this is the case and applies to you, we will ask for a copy of your certificate so that we can verify this and it can be noted on your booking.

Please note, if you are unable to provide documentation of a qualification, we will not be able to allow you to run the activity.

Do you offer leader-led activities?

We offer many leader-led activities at Thorrington, and our full list can be found via the following link. Please note that whilst we provide activity packs for these activities that include a copy of our risk assessment, this is merely a template for you to review and this does not remove the responsibility from the group leader to complete their own risk assessment.

How do I book activities?

Activity bookings can be made online at the point of booking your accommodation. We offer a wide range of activities and availability can be checked online using the online booking system.

If you would like to book activities after you have made your original booking please email us via contactus@thorringtonscoutcamp.co.uk and leave information regarding when you would like the activity, how long for and the number of participants that will be taking part.

It is important to note that instructor-led activities are dependent on instructor availability and therefore may be subject to change.

Visiting

Can I arrange for my groups food delivery to be taken to the campsite?

Yes, most supermarkets local to Thorrington offer this service and we regularly have groups take advantage of this handy feature.

However, please note that the warden team will not accept any deliveries on behalf of a group, and attendees from the visiting group must be present to receive any items being delivered.

Do you have WiFi or an Internet connection

Due to our rural setting, we are unable to provide these services, and until works in the local area are undertaken this is not something that we will be able to offer.

Please note, however, that there is an overall good mobile signal around the site for most mobile phone networks.

Where is the closest camping supplies store?

We are fortunate to have shops within our surrounding areas that sell a variety of camping equipment should you need it.

  • Sibbons Plant Hire – Gas Bottle Refills (Elmstead, 2.8 miles)
  • Go Outdoors – Camping Equipment (Colchester, 8.3 miles)

Please check opening hours as these are subject to change.

Am I able to take my vehicle onto the campsite?

Cars can only enter onto the site to drop group equipment off and must be returned to the car park promptly. Any other equipment must be walked to the site or transported using the equipment trollies.

Cars are not permitted to stay on the campsite and any cars found to be doing so will be asked to remove their car and park it in the main car park, this is to ensure site safety as groups have free roam of the campsite.

When entering onto the site there is a strict 5mph speed limit, failure to adhere to the speed limit may result in you being asked to vacate the campsite.

Is the campsite always manned?

Our warden teams are not full-time and very kindly give their spare time to help with the running and management of Thorrington.

Our campsite is only manned at the weekends during term-time, meaning that our manned hours are between 7pm Friday evening until 4pm Sunday afternoon.

Do you have an onsite car park?

We have an on-site car park, however, we encourage the use of minibuses or car-sharing if possible as the car park can become very busy with only a few groups on-site.

We also have a 5mph speed limit along the access lane to and from Thorrington Scout Camp, this is to ensure the safety of young people whilst visiting us.

Do you allow fires at Thorrington?

Each campsite has individual fire bases located on them, and we promote the use of backwards cooking styles. Fires are only allowed to take place on the concrete blocks provided and in no circumstances may pit fires be made.

Please be aware that during the summer period we will often review the policy and may have to implement a “No Fire Policy” if there is sustained warm weather, this is to ensure site safety.

Do you have a snack or gift shop?

We have a small shop on-site known as the ‘Providore’, it stocks a small range of souvenirs such as badges, woggles and other small accessories. It also has a small tuckshop range and offers a pick’n’mix variety of sweets.

If you would like to use the shop during your visit please notify the duty warden who will arrange the shop to be opened for you.

Does Thorrington offer any recycling facilities?

We are proud to be able to offer our visitors the ability to recycle during their stay, the recycling facilities can be found in our rubbish compound near the Heritage Centre.

We offer dry mixed recycling, meaning most waste can be recycled however please pay attention to the recycling signs situated in the bin area for the most up-to-date information.

When can I arrive at the campsite?

The campsite is unmanned during the term-time midweek periods, therefore all campers are welcome on-site from 7pm on Friday evenings.

If you wish to arrange earlier access then you must confirm this with your allocated duty warden. The details for your duty warden can be identified using the pre-booking guide that was emailed to you at the point of booking or via this link

Bookings

Why can’t I see my booking in the online booking system?

This means that the booking has been made on your behalf via one of our handy volunteers. This will have either occurred following a rebooking when we first migrated to the new online booking system or if you had issues whilst attempting to book, and we booked your visit for you.

If this is the case, and you are unable to view your booking and require information, please email us via bookings@thorringtonscoutcamp.co.uk

Can I book for just an evening visit?

We’re more than happy to accommodate evening visits, however, they must be booked in good time to allow for access to the site to be arranged.

Please note that all instructor-led activity bookings for evening visits are subject to instructor activity.

I’d like to book the whole site, is this possible?

We can offer whole-site bookings, however, these are entirely dependent on availability as other groups may book onto single sites.

We encourage any whole site bookings to be made far in advance to give you the maximum availability possible.

If you wish to make a whole site booking, please check the online booking system for availability. Please then email bookings@thorringtonscoutcamp.co.uk to provisionally book this.

What is your booking procedure?

Our booking procedure is very simple and can be completed online via our booking system. If you’d like some assistance on the process please see the steps below.

  1. Submit your provisional booking including activities via our online booking portal.
  2. This is then confirmed by our booking secretary. Once your booking has been confirmed you have 14 days to pay any required deposit, otherwise the system will automatically cancel the booking.
  3. You are then able to view your remaining balance and payment details via the online booking portal by logging into your account.

When is the booking deposit required by?

All booking deposits must be recieved no later then 14 days after the booking has been confirmed. If a deposit is not paid by this date, the system will automatically cancel the booking.

Please contact us immediately via bookings@thorringtonscoutcamp.co.uk if there are any issues paying the deposit within the outlined timeframe.