Lough Dan has set up the world’s first Scout Eco-Park a place where sustainable management and environmental education go hand in hand with traditional scout activities.

Sustainable Communities Network    With the other National Scout Centers we have set up a partnership with the Sustainable Energy authority of Ireland (SEAI). The idea is that as similar type facilities we should be able to find common solutions to shared  problems as we try to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. The SEAI helps by providing mentoring and technical support as we look at ways to change our infrastructure to be more environmentally friendly.

SCENES Scout Centers of Excellence for Nature and the Environment. We have applied to the World Organisation of the Scout Movement for Lough Dan to be accredited as a a SCENES center. Situated at the hearth of the Wicklow Mountains National Park we view Lough Dan as the ideal Base camp and Gateway for all that the area has to offer and our program focus is continually changing to include every thing from traditional scout camping and hiking to environmental awareness activities. To support this we have established a Green-way nature trail, a Cat’s Eye reflector night hike, a bird hide and a Charles Darwin eco-base.as well as turning the campsite into a Dark Sky Reserve.

Lough Dan a place where Nature and Nurture meet

Stuff often gets left behind by people staying at Lough Dan. If this is dirty wet clothes, towels, or runners it usually gets binned straight away. If the item is good such as rain gear or hiking boots we keep it for a while but if no one comes looking for it then it goes to a charity shop.

Occasionally people leave behind items of personal clothing, a rucksack or a tent and contact us to ask have we found it as they want it back. These items are placed in the barn “wet weather” shelter and can be collected at a time convenient to the owner. As a volunteer run centre we do not have a staff presence on site at all times and we can not arrange to meet people other than on the weekends to hand out lost property items unless a specific arrangement has been made. Please note that the barn is an unsecure location with open access.

Lough Dan is not responsible for items of lost property waiting for collection.

Due to the cost we do not post out items of lost property.

At Lough Dan we do not take on the responsibility of the Leader in charge of the group. We expect you to be responsible for the behaviour of your members in relation to noise, litter, the Leave no Trace principles, supervision of activities etc.

We expect you to ensure your site is left clean and tidy for the next group and this applies to the toilet/shower block as well. It is not the job of the volunteer staff to clean up after your members.

Also we would ask that you treat the place in a sustainable fashion i.e. if everyone did what your group does would the place survive? This applies in particular to the ban on cutting of pioneering poles, the lighting of ground fires, digging of pits, but also to your waste management practices and the use of fire wood.

At Lough Dan Scout Centre we do not take on the responsibilities that are normally those of the leaders in charge of a group e.g. behaviour of members, supervision of participants, respecting quiet times,  limiting noise & litter and implementing the Leave no Trace principles. In essence we provide the facility and we expect you to manage your group as you would wherever you are staying. As a volunteer run centre we expect you to be responsible for your members and to leave the place clean and tidy ready for the next group and ideally as is good scout tradition to leave it even better than you found it. If your scouts use the toilet block showers they should be left clean for the next user. Do not expect that Lough Dan staff who are all volunteers will do it for you. Please note we do not have “camp wardens” on site at all times and we therefore expect groups to make themselves at home while at the same time being able to share the facilities with everyone else on site. We ask you to look at your practices and those of your members to ensure that they are sustainable i.e. if everyone did what you are doing would the place survive. This applies in particular to proper waste management, conservative use of fire wood, avoiding damage to trees and vegetation, and the ban on cutting up pioneering poles, the lighting of ground fires and the digging of pits.