Bluewoods Campsite and Adventure Lodge are open!
Girlguiding Crawley Division’s new hall and campsite were officially opened on November 5th this year. The new Hall, situated amongst Tilgate Forest Huts, and its nearby camp-site, replaces Girlguiding’s former premises at Little Trees; the site has been relinquished by Girlguiding Crawley Division to make way for the much-needed new cemetery for Crawley, opening summer 2017.
The Opening Ceremony of Bluewoods took place in the middle of a day filled with activities, in which around 250 Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Senior Section members and parents, members of Crawley Borough Council and Girlguiding leaders took part. Woodland activities on the new camp-site included fire-lighting, balancing on a rope bridge and slack-line, making creatures from clay and natural materials, cutting and decorating wooden pendants, learning about conservation and toasting marshmallows; in the new hall were many craft activities, and participants also planted bulbs around the site and visited the Nature Centre.
The Lodge was officially opened by the Deputy Mayor of Crawley,Cllr Brian Quinn, who praised “this great partnership between Crawley Borough Council and Girlguiding”, saying that is was “absolutely wonderful “, and that he was “delighted to come to Tilgate Park, and see young people being able to enjoy so many activities”.
Girlguiding Crawley Division would like to thanks the following sponsors and supporters:
Crawley Borough Council
Courage-Dyer Recreational Trust
Gatwick Airport Community Trust
members of the local Co-Op Community (Tilgate)
Girlguiding Sussex Central County
Bluewoods is now open for bookings; the Lodge has a large hall, carpeted second hall and equipped kitchen, in additional to toilets, showers and a fully accessible wet room, and is approved for both residential and day events. The campsite is a securely fenced area of woodland next to the Lodge, with water and electric points, an altar fireplace beside one clearing, and campfire circle.
Bluewoods is situated in Tilgate Forest Recreation Centre, in easy walking distance of both K2 Crawley (leisure centre with swimming pools and climbing walls) and also of Tilgate Park. Dynamic Adventure run kayaking, raft building and off-road cycling in the park, which also has an adventure play area, Nature Centre, and extensive walks.
Further information is available on our website www.bluewoods.co.uk, or by emailing bookings@bluewoods.co.uk