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On the 30th to 31st August 2025, Gilwell Park was filled with thousands of volunteers reconnecting with old friends, exploring programme ideas, developing practical skills, and having plenty of fun. The energy, laughter, and sense of community were noticeable, and Network Unite was proud to be part of it.
From chatting with new faces to running our own challenge, Reunion provided the perfect opportunity to share what we’ve been working on - and more importantly, to listen to you.
Here are some of the highlights:
Staying Connected
We loved seeing so many people stop by our stand, and we’re thrilled to welcome 18 new subscribers to our newsletter – bringing our total to 38! It’s brilliant to know that more of you want to stay in touch and follow our journey.
Picking Activities for 2026
One of the weekend’s highlights was our “Help Us Choose Our Activities for 2026” survey. Over 50 of you voted on the activities you’d most like to see at next year’s event. The top three were:
· Paddle Boarding (32 votes)
· Tomahawk Throwing (31 votes)
· Canoeing (27 votes)
Hearing your thoughts face-to-face was a valuable reminder of why events like Reunion matter. They give us the chance to have real conversations, not just gather numbers.
What We Learned
Looking back, there are a few things we’ll do differently next time - like asking more questions in person and learning more about the people giving feedback. This way, we can ensure future activities truly reflect what Scout Network members want.
The Badge Hunt
We also ran a Badge Hunt around the Programme Zone, with exclusive Gilwell Reunion button badges up for grabs. Fewer people took part than we’d hoped, but those who did had a lot of fun. A huge thank you to Pawprint Family and the UK Scout Network for teaming up with us to hide our event badges at their stall during Gilwell Reunion!
Ideas and Feedback
Some of the best moments came from informal chats we had over the weekend. A few of the ideas we heard included:
· Comparing different head torches at future events
· Making group bookings an option
· Holding a forum during our event next year
· Lightweight cooking advice – quick, simple, and tasty meals
· Free bags for next year’s Reunion (always handy!)
We truly value feedback like this - it helps us make the experience even better for everyone.
On the Airwaves
Another highlight was our interview with Scout Radio. It was a fantastic opportunity to share what Network Unite is all about, spread the word about our future plans, and connect with the wider community.
A Big Thank You
We couldn’t have done it without our amazing volunteers. A huge thank you to Lewis and Holly, who gave up their weekend to help promote Network Unite. Your energy and enthusiasm made a huge difference.
And of course, thank you to everyone who came to see us, took part in the survey, or just stopped for a chat. Gilwell Reunion 2025 was packed with energy, ideas, and plenty of laughter - we’re already excited to take what we’ve learned and start shaping the adventures of 2026 together.
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