Student Scout and Guide Organisation

Last updated
Student Scout and Guide Organisation
Student Scout and Guide Organisation.png
CountryUnited Kingdom
FoundedFebruary 1967
Membership959 (2022)
ChairJames Barber
Website
https://www.ssago.org
WikiProject Scouting fleur-de-lis dark.svg  Scouting portal

The Student Scout and Guide Organization (SSAGO) is an association that provides support to individuals who are students at colleges and universities in the United Kingdom. It caters to Scouts, Guides, and those who have not been affiliated with a Scout or Guide Association. SSAGO is particularly focused on individuals interested in the aims, objectives, and methods of both The Scout Association and Girlguiding, UK.

Contents

Numerous universities host Scout and Guide Clubs affiliated with their respective Student Unions. Although, union affiliation is optional for a club to be part of SSAGO, many choose to do so. In cases where a university or college lacks a dedicated club, students have the option to become Individual or "Indie" members of SSAGO.

The activities of these clubs typically include organizing weekend and evening events throughout the term, as well as longer events during university holidays. SSAGO sponsors a termly Rally, open to all Club and Indie members, organized by a different club each term. Additionally, an annual formal event known as a Ball is hosted.

The Oxford University Scout and Guide Group stands as the oldest known example of a Scout and Guide Club in the United Kingdom. Upon completing their university education, many SSAGO members opt to join the Scout and Guide Graduate Association (SAGGA).

History

Informal Scout and Guide Clubs existed as early as 1915 when the first generation of Scouts grew out of the Scouting age yet wanted to keep some sense of fraternity. Some early organizations at colleges were known as Baden-Powell Guilds and Saint George Guilds.  [ citation needed ] A world equivalent to this exists today in the International Scout and Guide Fellowship, or ISGF. Some of the first clubs were set up in university towns, such as Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester, and London. Inter-club activities were run intermittently until 1927. By 1920, Rover Scouts had been set up for people over 18 but many people were also part of Scout and Guide clubs. University clubs banded together to form an Inter-Varsity organization while College-based clubs formed a similar setup. It was not until 1947 that inter-club meetings started again, and even then only for the Varsity clubs (those from universities, rather than colleges). Only two colleges (Loughborough and North Staffordshire) were admitted to Varsity. No other colleges were admitted, partially because of snobbery in the old red-brick establishments. The Federation of Scout and Guide Clubs in Training Colleges was set up in 1956 for colleges, and a year later it formed the Intercollegiate organization. In 1967, the Intercollegiate and Inter-Varsity merged to form SSAGO due to the dwindling number of colleges as many became universities.[ citation needed ]

SSAGO was 40 in 2007, to celebrate this event a special emblem was designed and the Summer Rally was replaced with a Reunion Event held near Lincoln in July. Whilst this event was run as a Rally there were some noticeable differences; there were fireworks on Friday night, all members old, and new, and SAGGA (who themselves are celebrating their 50th Anniversary) were invited to attend along with visits from prestigious guests such as Liz Burnley the current Chief Guide.

United Kingdom Scout and Guide Clubs and Rovers Crews were responsible for establishing an international Student Scout and Guide event called the Witan, named after the Anglo-Saxon gathering of the wise called a Witan. The first two such events were organised by the Oxford University Scout and Guide Group at Gilwell Park in 1959 and 1961.[1][2]

Rally

Rally is a national camp, held once every term where SSAGO clubs around the UK meet up to socialize and participate in a weekend of activities. The size of a rally can vary from around 100 to over 250 people. The three rallies are held each year in February, June, and November and, as they are hosted by different clubs each time, they offer an opportunity for participants to visit new places. The host club for each rally is chosen at the previous year's national SSAGO AGM.

Each rally has a theme chosen by the host club, which is incorporated into the rally through the different activities on offer across the weekend. Often, this includes experiences such as walks or hikes, on-site activities, visits to nearby attractions, or simply an afternoon off with which to explore. In addition, rallies can also include a ceilidh and themed fancy-dress competition.[1]

YearEventLocationHost ClubTheme/NameDatesAttendanceClubs Attended
2015Lancaster Superhero RallyGuys Farm Activity Centre, Lancaster Lancaster Superhero February 6, 2015–
February 8, 2015 [1] 		19724
2015Bangor Disco RallyFelin Bach, Bangor Bangor Disco June 19, 2015–
June 21, 2015 [2] 		10221
2015Cardiff Carnival RallyCRAI Activity Park, Cardiff Cardiff Carnival November 20, 2015–
November 22, 2015 [3] 		24026
2016Feb-U-RallyWoodhouse Park, Bristol SAGUWE Wallace and Gromit February 12, 2016–
February 14, 2016 [4] 		21328
2016Southampton Dino RallyButchers Coppice, Bournemouth Southampton Dinosaur June 17, 2016–
June 19, 2016 [5] 		17130
2016Space RallyRough Close Scout Campsite and Activity Centre, Coventry Indie Space November 18, 2016–
November 20, 2016 [6] 		26132
2017Best of British RallyGlenbrook Outdoor Activity Centre, Bamford SheffieldBest of British February 17, 2017–
February 19, 2017 [7] 		24331
2017Leeds "Around the World" RallyBradley Wood Scout Campsite, Leeds LeedsAround the WorldJune 16, 2017–
June 18, 2017 [8] 		16825
2017Plymouth "90s" RallySid Vale Scout Campsite, Devon Plymouth '90s November 17, 2017–
November 19, 2017 [9] 		16123
2018Witan in a Weekend RallyScout Park, London The Young GoatsWitan/Europe February 16, 2018–
February 18, 2018 [10] 		32038
2018Cambridge Duck RallyThe Jarman Centre, Cambridge CUSAGC Duck June 22, 2018–
June 24, 2018 [11] 		21228
2018Lancaster Fantasy RallyGuys Farm Activity Centre, Lancaster Lancaster SSAGO Fantasy November 16, 2018–
November 18, 2018 [12] 		24329
2019Nottingham Outlaw RallyWalesby Forest, Nottingham SNoGS Robin Hood/OutlawsFebruary 15, 2019–
February 17, 2019 [13] 		27135
2019Scot RallyLapwing Lodge, Glasgow Scotland Scottish June 28, 2019–
June 30, 2019 [14] 		12030
2019Birmingham Chocolate RallyAlfrey Activity Centre Broadwater, Warwickshire BUSAG Chocolate November 15, 2019–
November 17, 2019 [15] 		31038
2020Roman Rally MMXXBriarlands Activity Centre, Bristol Bath BUGS Roman February 21, 2020–
February 23, 2020 [16] 		29439
2020Survival RallyCranham Scout Centre, Gloucestershire*UOBGAS and PLUGS (jointly)Back-to-BasicsJune 26, 2020–
June 28, 2020 /
September 11, 2020–
September 13, 2020 [17] 		N/AN/A
2020Build-A-RallyVirtual Event*Southampton Construction November 13, 2020–
November 15, 2020 [18] 		15133
2021Green Rally Yellow RallyVirtual Event*Millennial Millards (Members from several clubs) Green and Yellow/

Milton Keynes

March 5, 2021–
March 7, 2021 [19] 		32639
2021Viking RallyMoor House Adventure Centre, Durham NUSSAGG and DUSAGG (jointly) Viking November 19, 2021–
November 21, 2021 [20]
2022Rally Of GamesOverstone Campsite, Northampton Individual members from different groups Boardgames
2022Rali Cymru (Wales Rally)CRAI Activity Centre, Newbridge The South Welsh Clubs

(SUGS, MSAGM Aber SSAGO, USW, SSAGS)

 Wales November 18, 2022 -

November 20, 2022 [21]

29733
2023CentenaRallyTawd Vale Adventure Centre, Ormskirk LUSSAGO Centenary March 3, 2023 - March 5, 202323526

Ball

In addition to the three rallies, there is also an annual ball hosted every year by a chosen SSAGO club. The ball provides an alternative to the camping and outdoors often associated with Scouting and Guiding by offering a formal meal, dancing, and another chance to socialize with other SSAGO members.

Typically balls will be themed, with accommodation available nearby, varying from hotels to scout huts depending on the participants' budget. Balls offer a packed evening program, giving everyone a chance to make new friends, catch up with old ones and have a great night outside of the campsite. Often, the ball will include activities nearby to help participants make a weekend of the event.[1]

YearEventLocationHost ClubTheme/NameDatesAttendanceClubs Attended
2015Southampton Ball on a BoatMV Ocean Scene, SouthamptonSouthampton Nautical March 21, 2015 [22] 12818
2016Leeds Northern Lights BallMarriott Hotel, LeedsLeeds Northern Lights March 19, 2016 [23] 14623
2017Bath Masked BallGuildhall, BathBath Masquerade April 1, 2017 [24] 17822
2018Yule Ball BallThe Bristol Hotel, BristolSAGUWE Harry Potter April 7, 2018 [25] 16927
2019Aber does ABBA BallMarine Hotel, AberystwythAberystwyth SSAGO ABBA April 13, 2019 [26] 13528
2020 (2021)City of Steel BallKelham Island MuseumSheffield StinGS Sheffield April 4, 2020 /February 6, 2021 [27] N/A*N/A*
2021WomBallRough Close Campsite, CoventryBUSAG Recycling September 11, 2021**8725
2022Once Upon a BallKeele Hall, StaffordshireVarious Members Fairytale April 30, 2022 [28] 19425

Existing clubs

There are currently more than thirty universities with a SSAGO club. There are also at least ten that no longer exist. The Universities with a functioning SSAGO club are:

Also open to students from Aston University, Birmingham City University and University College Birmingham

(including Anglia Ruskin University)

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References

  1. ↑ "Lancaster Superhero Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  2. ↑ "Bangor Disco Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  3. ↑ "Cardiff Carnival Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  4. ↑ "Feb-U-Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  5. ↑ "Southampton Dino Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  6. ↑ "Space Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  7. ↑ "Best of British Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  8. ↑ "Leeds "Around the World" Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  9. ↑ "Plymouth "90s" Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  10. ↑ "Witan in a Weekend Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2019-01-07.
  11. ↑ "Cambridge Duck Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
  12. ↑ "Lancaster Fantasy Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2019-01-07.
  13. ↑ "Nottingham Outlaw Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  14. ↑ "Scot Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  15. ↑ "Chocolate Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
  16. ↑ "Roman Rally MMXX". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
  17. ↑ "Survival Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2021-05-15.
  18. ↑ "Build-A-Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
  19. ↑ "Green Rally Yellow Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
  20. ↑ "Viking Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2021-05-15.
  21. ↑ "SSAGO - Events". events.ssago.org. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
  22. ↑ "Southampton Ball on a Boat". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  23. ↑ "Leeds Northern Lights Ball". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  24. ↑ "Bath Masked Ball". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  25. ↑ "Yule Ball Ball". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  26. ↑ "Aber Does ABBA Ball". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  27. ↑ "City of Steel Ball". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
  28. ↑ "Once Upon a Ball". events.ssago.org. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
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