Facilities - This page give information and illustrations of the main facilities available at Kingston Ridge Scout Campsite.
Main Camping Field - A gently sloping field with four fire bases, three water standpipes and two electric points. This is the field that we generally use for Troop/Pack camps.
Caravans are sometimes allowed onto this field but only at the lower endof the field.
Family Field – This field gently slopes up to a flat area. This Field has 4 fire bases (two raised), two water and two electric points.
Both toilet blocks and the shower block are located in this field. The showers are now fully operational.
This is the area usually used for caravans.
Toilets and showers - We have two toilet blocks.
The original block contains 4 cubicles with flush loos. The innermost also has wash facilities, this cubicle is generally reserved for ladies and girls. Attached to the outside of this block is the gents urinal.
The new block on the other side of the field houses 5 toilet cubicles and 4 shower cubicles.
The gents urinal. When the toilets are opented the urinal is screened by the open door.
Shown here are the facilities in each toilet cubicle. Some of the toilet cubicles are equipped with disabled access systems.
The new showers. Three cubicles this size and one larger.
Sports Field - a flat area that we generally use for sports activities but can be used as a camping area if required.
Zip Wire - we have a big zip wire that can be set up along one edge of the sports field. Click here to download a movie clip showing the zip wire in use.
Please note that the zip wire has now been upgraded. We now have a permanent launch platform. It is higher and longer than previously. New pictures and movie clips soon.
Adventure Play Area – above the sports
field is an adventure play area. Some obstacles have
to be assembled before use.
New obstacles have been installed for the 2009 season.
There will be a charge for those items that have to be set up but not for the permanent items.
Please note that this area may only be used under adult supervision.
Backwoods Activity Areas – the biggest of these adjacent to the sports field but a small area is also available at the top of the main field. Can be used for backwoods camping or training activities.
Patrol Sites –We have two smaller areas that are ideal for smaller camps.
The patrol site cooking area shown here.
New camping/activity area. We recently cleared this area that could form an ideal patrol camp area or for activities. Though not obvious in the picture, the grass has started growing.
Campfire Circle – available for campfires and social gatherings, we also use this as a quiet area for Scouts Own etc.
Extra seating has been installed around the campfire circle.
Shooting Range – purpose built shooting range for air rifle shooting. It has a covered shelter from which to shoot. Click here to download a movie clip of the shooting range in use.
Our Archery range is now ready for service, adjacent to the shooting range. A picture will be posted here shortly. Click here or here to download movie clips of the archery range in use.
Shooting and Archery waiting area.
Seats provided for those queuing for these activities.
Pioneering Equipment – we have a good supply of equipment available, approximately 50 10' poles.
Climbing Tower - at 43 feet high (11m) this is one of the highest climbing towers in Essex and is probably the highest folding tower in the country.
It is triangular in section and thus offers two climbing walls. The north wall is relatively easy whilst the south wall is relatively difficult. The south wall also has an extension at the top taking it to almost 50 feet high (13m). The top section also folds out to create an overhang.
Both walls are fitted with clips to permit lead climb training.
The tower is also fitted with a boom to facilitate supports and belay points for activities such as Jacob's Ladder, the Leap of Faith, Crate Stacking, Pole Climbing, etc.
A ladder fitted inside the tower permits access to the top for abseiling.
This is a monster of a climbing wall. Rock solid in use it provides an excellent, stable platform ideal as an introduction to climbing for beginners. It also has sufficient scope for more advanced users to practice their technique.
Click here to download a movie clip of the tower being winched into position and here for a clip of climbing on the tower and here for a clip of crate stacking.
Bouldering or Traverse Wall - adjacent to the climbing tower we have a bouldering wall. The new container is now in position to form the 3rd side and the holds have been installed to complete the wall.
Chimney - inside the tower we have fitted a simulator for practicing the chimney technique. Shown here next to the access ladder.
Leap of Faith - test your nerve and develop your trust in the equipment and your belay. The leap of faith platform (just big enough to stand on) is mounted on the nose of the tower approximately half-way up at about 20' high. Suspended from the boom in front of you is a trapeze. You must leap from the platform and grab the trapeze. Your belay will then lower you to the ground.
It sounds easy but when you stand on that platform it is quite daunting. However, it can be done.
This facility can also be used for investitures.
We can currently offer 'Jacobs Ladder' and 'Pole Climbing' where these are suspended from the tower boom. We can now also offer 'crate stacking'
This is a monster of a
climbing wall, the highest folding tower in Essex, if not the UK - rock
solid in use but not for the faint-hearted!
Electricity supply – unfortunately we are not connected to the mains electricity supply. All electricity is supplied via an on-site 38kVA generator. Electricity points have been made available to most of the site, obviously these will only be functional when the generator is in operation.
There will be a charge for use of the generator, currently set at £5.00 per hour, though this may be subject to increases if the cost of diesel fuel significantly increases again.
Note that it is possible to start and stop the generator as required.
If you require use of the showers then you will also have to book the generator as the shower heaters and pumps are electrically powered.
Fires – fires are only allowed on the fire bases provided, please ask if you wish for fires in the backwoods camping area.
There is usually a good supply of wood available.
Waste Disposal – All waste must be taken away with you. The local refuse disposal trucks do not visit our site.
Cars – are only allowed on the main field, sports field and patrol fields for loading and unloading, they must then be parked in the car park.
Please note that if the ground is very soft then cars will not be allowed onto the camping areas.
Cars may be parked on the family field at the discretion of the warden.
There is a strict speed limit of 5mph, please adhere to this to avoid accidents.
Main Camping Field - A gently sloping field with four fire bases, three water standpipes and two electric points. This is the field that we generally use for Troop/Pack camps. 
Family Field – This field gently slopes up to a flat area. This Field has 4 fire bases (two raised), two water and two electric points.
Toilets and showers - We have two toilet blocks. 
The gents urinal. When the toilets are opented the urinal is screened by the open door. 
Shown here are the facilities in each toilet cubicle. Some of the toilet cubicles are equipped with disabled access systems.
The new showers. Three cubicles this size and one larger.
Sports Field - a flat area that we generally use for sports activities but can be used as a camping area if required.
Adventure Play Area – above the sports
field is an adventure play area. Some obstacles have
to be assembled before use. 
Backwoods Activity Areas – the biggest of these adjacent to the sports field but a small area is also available at the top of the main field. Can be used for backwoods camping or training activities.
Patrol Sites – We have two smaller areas that are ideal for smaller camps.
New camping/activity area. We recently cleared this area that could form an ideal patrol camp area or for activities. Though not obvious in the picture, the grass has started growing.
Campfire Circle – available for campfires and social gatherings, we also use this as a quiet area for Scouts Own etc. 
Extra seating has been installed around the campfire circle.
Shooting Range – purpose built shooting range for air rifle shooting. It has a covered shelter from which to shoot. Click 
Shooting and Archery waiting area.
Climbing Tower - at 43 feet high (11m) this is one of the highest climbing towers in Essex and is probably the highest folding tower in the country.
Bouldering or Traverse Wall - adjacent to the climbing tower we have a bouldering wall. The new container is now in position to form the 3rd side and the holds have been installed to complete the wall. 
Chimney - inside the tower we have fitted a simulator for practicing the chimney technique. Shown here next to the access ladder.
Leap of Faith - test your nerve and develop your trust in the equipment and your belay. The leap of faith platform (just big enough to stand on) is mounted on the nose of the tower approximately half-way up at about 20' high. Suspended from the boom in front of you is a trapeze. You must leap from the platform and grab the trapeze. Your belay will then lower you to the ground.
