THE Kidderminster & District Scout Council campsite, known as Rhydd Covert, located on the A456 between Kidderminster and Bewdley, is adjacent to West Midland Safari Park.
It is used by more then 5,000 young people aged between six and 25 each year. It provides a safe environment and opportunities to learn outdoor skills and experience adventurous activities, encouraging young people to become better citizens.
Tens of thousands of young people have benefited from the fun and adventure they have had camping at Rhydd over the years.
Rhydd Covert is part of the most successful youth movement the world has ever seen. Scouting was one of the outstanding success stories of the 20th century and continues to grow in the 21st century. From a gathering of 20 boys on Brownsea Island in 1907, our movement has more than 300 million members worldwide.
Our founder, Lord Baden-Powell, is a household name. Scouts are a household name. Scouting is a positive force for good in an ever more complex and diverse world.
Rhydd Covert has been in operation since 1945, and comprises 50 acres of unspoilt woodland and grassland areas falling naturally in to individual sites of varying sizes. Each site has a central grassed area surrounded by trees and undergrowth affording a certain amount of privacy and generally shielding camping sites from each other.
All the sites are in easy reach of a water supply. Our large tiered field is used for the larger camps and activities. Rhydd Covert also has areas of sandstone rock, heather and fern and is home to squirrels, rabbits, various birds and other animals. We also hear "more exotic" sounds from our neighbours at the safari park!
Myself, as warden, and an enthusiastic and committed service team run Rhydd Covert and our duties range from cutting the grass to cleaning the toilets and shower blocks. We are all volunteers.
As everyone is aware the only building on Rhydd was gutted in October 2004. It was used by district Scout groups during the week, while other Scout groups and organisations hired it at weekends.
We joined forces with the Shuttle/Times & News, to launch Operation Covert to try and raise funds to replace the old building with a purpose-built centre enjoying modern facilities and security.
With the help of members of the public in Wyre Forest and surrounding areas, businesses, trusts, charitable organisations, local schools, Kidderminster and District Scout Council and groups and campers who use Rhydd Covert, we have achieved our aim in less than two years.
The centre was tailor-made to suit the Scouting experience. Alongside the main building - which will be used for sleepovers as well as activities - there are two training rooms for our young people to learn essential skills, such as first aid. A hatch will serve food from the kitchen to the main hall, while the storeroom will hold tables and chairs. The centre design is disabled-friendly with a disabled toilet and full access for wheelchairs.
Thousands of residents of all ages have fond memories of Rhydd Covert and the sleepovers and activities they enjoyed at the centre as youngsters. This is what Rhydd is all about - our young people.
We all understand why we need Scouting and are sure of our purpose - to help young people achieve their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of our local, national and international communities.
Even if we can't solve all the problems in the world, we can help to make it a better place. We do this by helping our young people to develop as active members of the community and Rhydd Covert is playing its part.
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