Scout Radio

Scout Radio is to launch a full time FM Radio Station at Gilwell Park, the home of Scouting

Scout Radio, the official national active support unit for broadcast radio in Scouting, has been granted a ‘limited coverage’ FM radio licence by government regulator Ofcom, as part of a new trial.

This FM radio station will be available across the historic north London camp site and HQ of the Scout Association on 99.6FM.

It will broadcast music, interviews, information and other content to entertain those on site, as well as inform and engage listeners of what’s going on at Gilwell and in Scouting.

In addition, the station will broadcast coverage of the many events that Scout Radio attends across the county, including those at Gilwell Park.

The station will also be available online at www.scout.radio, smart phones and on smart speakers as the main Scout Radio service.

Since the first lockdown, the team’s volunteers from all over the country have linked in providing soundtracks to a multitude of online events, from Pride and St George’s Day, to virtual camps. The team were also the official broadcaster of the national ‘The Great Indoors Weekender’ and the virtual ‘Gilwell Reunion’ last year.

Gilwell Park Activity Centre is open to thousands of visiting groups throughout the year, in addition to a number of high-profile events where thousands descend for adventure and activity, and is also home to the HQ of the Scout Association with it’s hundreds of staff and volunteers on site throughout the week.

The new licence allows groups visiting the home of Scouting to tune in without sapping vital phone battery and data usage, whether there is an event on site or not.

Martin Steers, manager of Scout Radio, said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for Scout Radio and it’s volunteers to produce and present on a fully licensed radio station at Gilwell Park.

It’s a great endorsement of the value and purpose of Scout Radio to undertake this station, having been granted a license by Ofcom and being supported by the Scout Association”.

Matt Hyde, chief executive of the Scouts, added: “It’s exciting to see Scout Radio launch a full-time radio station at Gilwell Park, UK Scouting’s HQ.

“I look forward to listening in when I can. They are the official broadcast radio team for the movement and help support young people experience radio, and develop skills for life being presenters, producers, and journalists.

“I hope this new project will bring even more opportunities for members to get involved, as well as providing coverage of all the great events we have here at Gilwell.”

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