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Student Scout and Guide Organisation

The Student Scout and Guide Organisation (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.

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 organising 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, organised 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).

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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 organisations at colleges were known as Baden-Powell Guilds and Saint George Guilds. 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 organisation 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 organisation. In 1967, the Intercollegiate and Inter-Varsity merged to form SSAGO due to the dwindling number of colleges as many became universities.

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. While 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 1961.12

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.3

YearEventLocationHost ClubTheme/NameDatesAttendanceClubs Attended
2015Lancaster Superhero RallyGuys Farm Activity Centre, LancasterLancasterSuperheroFebruary 6, 2015–February 8, 2015419724
2015Bangor Disco RallyFelin Bach, BangorBangorDiscoJune 19, 2015–June 21, 2015510221
2015Cardiff Carnival RallyCRAI Activity Park, CardiffCardiffCarnivalNovember 20, 2015–November 22, 2015624026
2016Feb-U-RallyWoodhouse Park, BristolSAGUWEWallace and GromitFebruary 12, 2016–February 14, 2016721328
2016Southampton Dino RallyButchers Coppice, BournemouthSouthamptonDinosaurJune 17, 2016–June 19, 2016817130
2016Space RallyRough Close Scout Campsite and Activity Centre, CoventryIndieSpaceNovember 18, 2016–November 20, 2016926132
2017Best of British RallyGlenbrook Outdoor Activity Centre, BamfordSheffieldBest of BritishFebruary 17, 2017–February 19, 20171024331
2017Leeds "Around the World" RallyBradley Wood Scout Campsite, LeedsLeedsAround the WorldJune 16, 2017–June 18, 20171116825
2017Plymouth "90s" RallySid Vale Scout Campsite, DevonPlymouth'90sNovember 17, 2017–November 19, 20171216123
2018Witan in a Weekend RallyScout Park, LondonThe Young GoatsWitan/EuropeFebruary 16, 2018–February 18, 20181332038
2018Cambridge Duck RallyThe Jarman Centre, CambridgeCUSAGCDuckJune 22, 2018–June 24, 20181421228
2018Lancaster Fantasy RallyGuys Farm Activity Centre, LancasterLancaster SSAGOFantasyNovember 16, 2018–November 18, 20181524329
2019Nottingham Outlaw RallyWalesby Forest, NottinghamSNoGSRobin Hood/OutlawsFebruary 15, 2019–February 17, 20191627135
2019Scot RallyLapwing Lodge, GlasgowScotlandScottishJune 28, 2019–June 30, 20191712030
2019Birmingham Chocolate RallyAlfrey Activity Centre Broadwater, WarwickshireBUSAGChocolateNovember 15, 2019–November 17, 20191831038
2020Roman Rally MMXXBriarlands Activity Centre, BristolBath BUGSRomanFebruary 21, 2020–February 23, 20201929439
2020Survival RallyCranham Scout Centre, Gloucestershire*UOBGAS and PLUGS (jointly)Back-to-BasicsJune 26, 2020–June 28, 2020 /September 11, 2020–September 13, 202020N/AN/A
2020Build-A-RallyVirtual Event*SouthamptonConstructionNovember 13, 2020–November 15, 20202115133
2021Green Rally Yellow RallyVirtual Event*Millennial Millards (Members from several clubs)Green and Yellow/

Milton Keynes

March 5, 2021–March 7, 20212232639
2021Viking RallyMoor House Adventure Centre, DurhamNUSSAGG and DUSAGG (jointly)VikingNovember 19, 2021–November 21, 20212322833
2022Rally Of GamesOverstone Campsite, NorthamptonIndividual members from different groupsBoardgames17 June 2022 -

19 June 202224

19630
2022Rali Cymru (Wales Rally)CRAI Activity Centre, NewbridgeThe South Welsh Clubs

(SUGS, MSAGM Aber SSAGO, USW, SSAGS)

Wales18 November 2022 -

20 November 202225

29733
2023CentenaRallyTawd Vale Adventure Centre, OrmskirkLUSSAGOCentenary3 March 2023 – 5 March 202323526
2023ReBuild-a-RallyBraggers Wood Campsite and Activity CentreSouthampton SSAGOConstruction

(The second attempt)

23 June 2023 – 26 June 202317127
2023Oktoberfest RallyBlackwell Adventure, BromsgroveBUSAGOktoberfest/German Culture24 November 2023 – 26 November 202326230
2024Rally Through TimeSnowball Plantation, YorkSAGGY8 March 2024 – 10 March 202422027
2024Sports Day RallyWillesley Scout Campsite, LeicestershireAberystwyth SSAGOSchool Sports Day7 June 2024 – 9 June 202417326
2024Leeds of the Rings RallyBramhope Scout Campsite and Activity Centre, LeedsLUUSAGLord of the Rings22 November 2024- 24 November 202434632
2025Team Pink RallyTawd Vale Adventure Centre, OrmskirkServing and former members of Team PinkPink things/SSAGO28 February 2025 – 2 March 202520328
2025Rally Front to BackSherbrooke Campsite, NottinghamshireSNoGS20 June 2025 – 23 June 2025
2025Space RallyWest Hall CampsiteSpace21 November 2025 – 23 November 2025
2026Port-A-RallyPUGSMaritime
2026Rali EryriBangor BUGS
2026SSAGO and the Quest for the Holy GrailBUSAG/KeeleArthurian legend/Monty Python
  • *Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the summer 2020 rally (Survival Rally, organised by Plymouth SSAGO) had to be postponed,26 and later cancelled.27 Build-A-Rally and Green Rally Yellow Rally were run as virtual events.

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.28

YearEventLocationHost ClubTheme/NameDatesAttendanceClubs Attended
2015Southampton Ball on a BoatMV Ocean Scene, SouthamptonSouthamptonNautical21 March 20152912818
2016Leeds Northern Lights BallMarriott Hotel, LeedsLeedsNorthern LightsMarch 19, 20163014623
2017Bath Masked BallGuildhall, BathBathMasqueradeApril 1, 20173117822
2018Yule Ball BallThe Bristol Hotel, BristolSAGUWEHarry PotterApril 7, 20183216927
2019Aber does ABBA BallMarine Hotel, AberystwythAberystwyth SSAGOABBAApril 13, 20193313528
2020 (2021)City of Steel BallKelham Island MuseumSheffield StinGSSheffieldApril 4, 2020 /February 6, 202134N/A*N/A*
2021WomBallRough Close Campsite, CoventryBUSAGRecycling11 September 2021**8725
2022Once Upon a BallKeele Hall, StaffordshireVarious MembersFairytale30 April 20223519425
2023MedieBallCounty Assembly Rooms, LincolnLUGSMediӕval29th April 20233611224
2024Aber Birthday ballY Consti, AberystwythAberystwyth SSAGOAberSSAGO's 20th Birthday27 April 202412820
2025Goose BallColwick Hall, NottinghamSNoGSNottingham Goose Fair12 April 2025
2026Murder Mystery BallBUSAGMurder mystery
  • *Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, City of Steel Ball was postponed from April 2020 to February 2021, with a virtual event being held on the original date, however due to the continued restrictions on social contact within the UK the physical event was ultimately cancelled.
      • Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WomBall was postponed from April 2021 to September 2021, with a change from the traditional ball format to a "festival style" event with games and activities on a campsite for an afternoon.

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:

In addition to the clubs listed above, there are independent, or "Indie" members, who are often either students who are at a university without a club or those who have recently graduated and left university.

  • Scouting portal

References

  1. History of OUSGG, 1955 – 1963 http://www.ousgg.org.uk/about/history#1955 ↩

  2. List of Witans http://witan.org/events/ ↩

  3. National SSAGO Events http://www.ssago.org/pages/display/events ↩

  4. "Lancaster Superhero Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 30 August 2019. https://events.ssago.org/event/1 ↩

  5. "Bangor Disco Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 30 August 2019. https://events.ssago.org/event/7 ↩

  6. "Cardiff Carnival Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 30 August 2019. https://events.ssago.org/event/11 ↩

  7. "Feb-U-Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 30 August 2019. https://events.ssago.org/event/19 ↩

  8. "Southampton Dino Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 30 August 2019. https://events.ssago.org/event/14 ↩

  9. "Space Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 30 August 2019. https://events.ssago.org/event/37 ↩

  10. "Best of British Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 30 August 2019. https://events.ssago.org/event/43 ↩

  11. "Leeds "Around the World" Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 30 August 2019. https://events.ssago.org/event/57 ↩

  12. "Plymouth "90s" Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 30 August 2019. https://events.ssago.org/event/63 ↩

  13. "Witan in a Weekend Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 7 January 2019. https://events.ssago.org/event/62 ↩

  14. "Cambridge Duck Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 19 June 2018. https://events.ssago.org/event/67 ↩

  15. "Lancaster Fantasy Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 7 January 2019. https://events.ssago.org/event/81 ↩

  16. "Nottingham Outlaw Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 11 May 2019. https://events.ssago.org/event/142 ↩

  17. "Scot Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 30 August 2019. https://events.ssago.org/event/129 ↩

  18. "Chocolate Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 28 March 2021. https://events.ssago.org/event/137 ↩

  19. "Roman Rally MMXX". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 28 March 2021. https://events.ssago.org/event/181 ↩

  20. "Survival Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 15 May 2021. https://events.ssago.org/event/170 ↩

  21. "Build-A-Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 28 March 2021. https://events.ssago.org/event/167 ↩

  22. "Green Rally Yellow Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 28 March 2021. https://events.ssago.org/event/230 ↩

  23. "Viking Rally". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 15 May 2021. https://events.ssago.org/event/236 ↩

  24. "SSAGO - Rally of Games". SSAGO.org. 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) https://rallyofgames.ssago.org/ ↩

  25. "SSAGO – Events". events.ssago.org. Retrieved 15 November 2022. https://events.ssago.org/ ↩

  26. "Coronavirus Update: National SSAGO events". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 28 March 2021. https://www.ssago.org/news/2020/03/coronavirus-Update-national-ssago-events ↩

  27. "SSAGO Coronavirus Update, July 2020". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 28 March 2021. https://www.ssago.org/news/2020/07/coronavirus-update-July-2020 ↩

  28. National SSAGO Events http://www.ssago.org/pages/display/events ↩

  29. "Southampton Ball on a Boat". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 30 August 2019. https://events.ssago.org/event/2 ↩

  30. "Leeds Northern Lights Ball". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 30 August 2019. https://events.ssago.org/event/21 ↩

  31. "Bath Masked Ball". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 30 August 2019. https://events.ssago.org/event/47 ↩

  32. "Yule Ball Ball". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 30 August 2019. https://events.ssago.org/event/86 ↩

  33. "Aber Does ABBA Ball". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 30 August 2019. https://events.ssago.org/event/122 ↩

  34. "City of Steel Ball". www.ssago.org. Retrieved 28 March 2021. https://events.ssago.org/event/172 ↩

  35. "Once Upon a Ball". events.ssago.org. Retrieved 15 November 2022. https://events.ssago.org/event/317/pages/home ↩

  36. "MedieBall". events.ssago.org. Retrieved 15 March 2025. https://events.ssago.org/event/366/pages/home ↩