The 4th Epping Forest Group was formed in 1909, one year after the founding of the Boy Scouts movement by Baden-Powell in 1908. It was initially formed as a land scout group by a number of students lucky enough to attend Baden Powel’s second experimental camp for boys.
In 1939 the group was changed to a sea scout group and subsequently gained RN recognition as RN sea scouts group 05 in the late 1940’s. Royal Navy Recognition status (RN Sea scour group number 05) allows us to participate in events at Royal Naval training facilities and means that we get support locally from the London University Royal Navy support unit. There’s more detail in our History page.
Today we cater for around 90 young people between our Cub pack and Scout Troop, inclduing 6-8 young leaders. Like all scout groups, we run a number of Cub and Scout camps and expeditions throughout the year, including the Chief Scout Gold Award expedition in which scouts hike, camp and cook for themselves over a weekend.
Joining the group
The group only takes new Cubs and Scouts as they enter the Bancroft junior and senior schools respectively.