The most Frequently Asked Questions
If you have the question then many others are also likely to have the same question. Below are the questions and answers to those most frequently asked.
If you have any other questions then please contact us and we will be happy to answer.
How do we get to the Isle of Wight?
There are two main ferry companies that run to the Island, these leave from Portsmouth, Southampton, Southsea or Lymington and have a mixture of passenger and car ferries.
Take a look at our Travel Page for more details
What are the camping arrangements?
As for camping, we designate separate zones on the camp site for Network & Explorer (same field, no physical barriers).
Units then setup within their own camp areas, bringing with them all the required camping and cooking equipment necessary.
Campsite location will be communicated upon booking into Revolution (not advertised on website or social media sites!)
Is Revolution open to both Explorers & Network units?
Yes, Revolution started off as a Venture Camp in 1995 and was the first national camp ever for Explorers or Network units as scouting went through its transition. The format works extremely well and the activities are selected each year to cater for both Explorer & Network units. Revolution has a strong following of both Explorer and Network units that come back year after year.
In fact Revolution is also open to SSAGO, Scout Active Support, Rangers and groups of Leaders
What is the policy on Alcohol?
Explorers:There is a strict site-wide no alcohol policy for Explorers.
All Explorer units have to come with leaders, who are ultimately responsible for their own units.
Network & Leaders: There is a separate licensed bar on site which is managed by the licensee, which is only accessible and available to those 18 and over.
Explorers and Network are given different coloured wrist bands so that both the bar staff, camp management and leaders can use these as indicators on who is over 18.
The entertainment area used for Disco's etc is a non-alcohol designated area, which serves soft drinks.
How do you manage to fit so many activities in for the price?
The management team have many skills and one of them is negotiation and routing out bargains. The driver behind Revolution is to provide a great event for you at a price that you can afford. This results in ensuring that each activity laid on is value for money, and the whole weekend is based around the blood, sweat of tears of the management team who setup Revolution completely voluntary not only during the weekend but throughout the year. Resulting in an absolutely awesome weekend at a price that you can afford.
How can we contact you?
You can contact us via email, phone, facebook, web forms or just knock on our doors. If you need to contact us for any reason then please use the details on our Contact Us page and we will be happy to answer any questions you have or to confirm any details with you.
Is there a way to get cheaper ferries?
Yes, You will find that the ferry prices change depending on the time of sailing that you book i.e outside of Rush Hour or Later at night you will find the costs do reduce. Compare prices with all the ferry companies, you can find details on our Travel Page.
The Revolution Management team have managed to secure a discount on one of the ferry routes, contact us for details and to see if we have secured on for the forthcoming event, and both companies usually have discount offers during Black Friday & Boxing Day sales.
As Revolution is over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend it can get busy so ensure you book early. It is always cheaper to book ahead of time.
We need to fill in the NAN Form, what are the local details?
POR Rule 9.57 (L(i)) states that your home District Commissioner / Lead Volunteer MUST BE notified before any camping or residential event takes place. Seven days notice should be given.
The Nights Away Notification (NAN) form is available on Scouts.org.uk see Link
We will provide you with all the local info you need with your booking information.
Unfortunately we can not accommodate "Event Passports" for young people without any leaders in attendance, as the InTouch rapid response would not be possible.
Can I bring Children (non explorers) to Revolution?
Yes you can, however due to Health and Safety reasons based on our Risk Assessment, children aged 8 years and under are unable to sleep on-site. If you intend to bring children of any age please contact the Management team in advance as we may be able to advise of other suitable accommodation. For those aged over 8 but not Explorers that do sleep on site, camping fees will apply to cover site costs. Children who are not Explorer age will not be able to partake in the daytime events. Please ensure that you have the appropriate parent / leadership representation if you plan on bringing children.
We have booked in and sent you our money, what's next?
The management will now be spending your money very wisely and ensuring all the activities are booked for you to enjoy. You will receive prior to camp a letter providing full details on the location of the campsite, any recommended kit that you should bring, consent forms for partaking in activities (where required) and also a Medical Consent form for each participant. Please ensure all consent forms are completed prior to attending and that you bring them all with you - without these you will not be able to partake.
Will I require transport on the Island?
Yes, Revolution is unique that we position our activities at different locations around the Island, this provides your unit the opportunity to explore the sights of the Isle of Wight and not to be restricted to the camping site. This however will require that you bring your own transport to the Island.
Copyright: Everything on this site is the property of Isle of Wight Revolution
What happens if I have booked but can not attend?
If you have booked into Revolution we then start immediately incorporating you into our plans and start booking activities and ensuring that you can have an amazing time, this includes spending money on your behalf. Due to this we are unable to provide any refunds if you are unable to attend.
The answers to your most common questions!
Will the activities & events have Risk Assessments?
Yes, we will carry out a Risk Assessment (RA) for all the activities and events that we are putting on during the camp, (some RA's will be provided by external providers) and will have these signed off by our District Commissioner prior to camp commencing.
These RA's will be available and forwarded to you in advance of the camp, for inclusion in your own Risk assessment for the whole event, a copy of the event Risk Assessment can be available shortly before camp via your booking page.
However you must be satisfied that all anticipated risks have been covered for the whole camp, and you will need to produce your own RA for other aspects (ie transport, camping, cooking etc)
Can I bring Dogs to Revolution?
Our preference is that you do not bring dogs to Revolution, however we understand that sometimes this is difficult. If you do need to bring a dog, please contact us in advance so that we are aware.
Please only bring well behaved dogs, and we ask that dogs are kept on leads at all times in the camping fields and that owners take full responsibility for their pets including cleaning up after them and ensuring they do not cause a disturbance to other campers or enter another unit's camping area, a dog prone to barking will cause annoyance to other campers.
Dogs are not permitted in the entertainment area during the evenings (unless it is an assistance dog).
Please note that the Management reserve the right to ask patrons to leave the site if their pets are causing disturbance or pose a health risk to others.
How do we arrange catering?
We do not offer a catering option at Revolution, and you will need to make your own arrangements for feeding your unit.
We have a number of the main supermarkets within easy reach, and have previously had food deliveries pre-arranged to the site.
We do however have a small tuck shop with a limited amount of chocolate & sweets to purchase, and have a fully licensed bar for the over 18s.
We have a contactless payment for debit & credit cards.
From the photos I see a lot of fancy dress - is this compulsory?
Fancy dress has become a unique mainstay of Revolution, with different themes given for every night. It is not compulsory, and it is intended just to be a bit of fun, especially when someone else is wearing something bizarre.
Give it a go, make costumes in the weeks building up to camp, and see if your unit can win the prize at the end of camp for the best fancy dress outfit.
Do you have a camp fire?
There is a dedicated camp fire area, and no other open fires are allowed on the site.
Every night we light a campfire for you to sit round, sing songs and chat about the fun day you've just had. However this is not a supervised activity and therefore you need to supervise your own young people while at the camp fire.
We do encourage you to bring and sing songs that others may not have heard, its a good way of expanding your repertoire to take to other events.
Do we need Uniform?
As a scouting event, we have an opening ceremony with a flag break and a closing ceremony with a flag down, which although not compulsory we do encourage you to attend in top half uniform.
Then while travelling around to the activities a necker is desirable.
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Can we buy an IOW wide parking permit beforehand?
Although a lot of our activity locations have free parking available, some of the locations will require you to park in a pay & display car park. If this Pay & Display car park is run by the local council then you will require a parking ticket for your stay, the IOW has it's own "pay by phone" App - (Ringo etc doesn't work).
Or, it is possible to pre-purchase a multi day permit (saving you the hassle of having to pay each time) see:
or: call 0330 4007275 quoting code 71000 for cars, or 71001 for minibuses & oversize vehicles
(details correct as of 2024)