After Fright

We wanted a name that reflects how the event has grown and evolved. After Fright gives us a fresh identity that’s bold, modern, and flexible enough to support new themes, stories, and experiences in the years ahead. The spirit of Scarefest lives on — this is simply the next chapter.

After Fright captures the feeling of what happens after the scare — the laughter, the adrenaline, the atmosphere, and the shared memories. It’s a name that celebrates the full experience, not just the scares.

After Fright is the new permanent name for the event. Scarefest has an incredible legacy dating back to 2007, and After Fright builds on that foundation with a refreshed identity designed to grow with the event’s next chapter.

No, there will not be a fireworks display at this year’s event. Instead we will be offering other entertainment and more frequently, there will be a musical fire and light show around Camp Square, a show on the Whitehouse facade and some other exciting surprises, which will all run multiple time across the evening meaning you get to experience the activities and frights for longer.

This decision has been made for a number of important reasons. The firework display is heavily dependent on weather conditions — last year’s event was affected by poor weather, creating uncertainty for both visitors and organisers. As a small, dedicated team, this allows us to focus on enhancing the overall event experience, with more activities, entertainment, and opportunities for everyone to enjoy. Our aim is to deliver a fun, engaging, and memorable event for all, and we’re confident this change will help us do just that.

We will continue to review and evolve the event, and whilst there are no current plans to reintroduce fireworks in the future, we’ll continue to explore the best ways to deliver a great experience for our community.

The name change doesn’t mean we’re starting from scratch. You’ll still find great activities, experiences, and mazes, as well as the spooky fun you expect — along with new additions and updates that keep the event exciting. We will be updating our fireworks display to multiple fire and light shows in Camp Square throughout the night, giving you more time for activities and frights.

Absolutely. After Fright keeps the things you love — the energy, the scares, the activities, and the traditions. You’ll notice new visuals and themes, but the heart of the event remains the same.

This is an evolution, not a replacement. The name change is part of a wider refresh that lets us introduce new ideas while keeping the event familiar and welcoming.

Scarefest has been a huge part of our history, and we’re proud of everything it represented. After years of growth, it was time for the next chapter — the event deserved a brand that could carry it into the future: something flexible, modern, and uniquely ours. After Fright honours the past while opening the door to bigger possibilities.

Weekend tickets:

£59 per young person for the weekend (self-catered) / £50 per young person for Saturday arrival

£85 per young person for the weekend (Catered - Friday dinner to Sunday lunch). 

Saturday day only tickets (No camping):

£35 per young person 

Adults:

Accompanying adults within ratio will not be charged. Any additional adults will be charged £25 per person. Catering (Friday dinner to Sunday lunch) can be added for £26 per person. 

--

Please note, no VAT is charged on event bookings for Girlguiding members.

Tickets include access to all activities and a badge.

Individual bookings are not available - young people must attend with an organised group. 

Book here

The closing date for purchasing tickets is midnight Friday 17th October. 

The activity programme will run from Friday evening through to Sunday lunchtime, giving you a full weekend packed with adventure designed specifically for Scouts, Explorers, Guides and Rangers. 

By Day:
Get stuck into a huge mix of action-packed activities and challenges, including Laser Quest, Petrol Go Karts, Aerial Archery, High Ropes, Climbing, Bushcraft, Tomahawk Throwing, Cinema, Giant Scalextric, Laser Clay Shooting, Crate Stacking, Crazy Golf - and plenty more to discover!

By Night:
As darkness falls, things take a thrilling turn…take on immersive horror mazes, enjoy spectacular fire and light shows, and try activities like Rodeo Pumpkin and UV Archery, alongside other spine-chilling surprises lurking in the shadows.

Alongside the action, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, from electronics to bushcraft—there’s something for everyone to try.

Please note: some of our most popular activities may have restrictions in place. This helps ensure as many people as possible can take part while keeping queue times manageable.

After Fright is taking place at: Scout Adventures Gilwell Park, Bury Road, Chingford, London E4 7QW

Gilwell Park will open from 12:00 on Friday for arrivals (and from 9:00 on Saturday). There'll be a one-way system in operation with areas marked for parking and drop-off. Entry to Gilwell Park will be via the Branchet Field back gate.

All vehicles will be parked on-site, and our Traffic Management team will be there to help you. Please follow signage and their directions, and most importantly, do be patient with us.

To save time and resources, we won't be using paper parking permits this year. We'll collect vehicle registrations ahead of the event, both for security and in case we need to get hold of you.

There'll also be a drop-off/pick-up area available - the driver will need to stay with the vehicle.

If you have accessibility needs, please let our Traffic Management team know on arrival and they'll work with you to find a suitable parking space.

We'll run a shuttle bus service from Chingford Station to Gilwell Park throughout the weekend. Details will be confirmed nearer to the event.

Check in

Please note that our reception is now based in the new Syd Kessler Welcome Centre accessible via Branchet Carpark.

Only your group leader needs to come to check in. They'll collect your group's wristbands and badges. The rest of your group can wait in the picnic area. 

You must check in as soon as you arrive and before starting any activities. Young people won't be able to access activities without their wristband. 

Top tips

• There may be a significant walk to your camping pitch, so please pack accordingly. We recommend larger, combined bags for fewer trips.
• The peak arrival time is between 16:00 – 21:00 on Friday. During this time we’ll move thousands of people and equipment, so please be patient with us! We’ll only finish working when everyone is in the right place.
• The centre is likely to appear chaotic (in reality it’s a highly orchestrated and well-practiced manoeuvre!), so please follow these instructions and listen to our Traffic Management team carefully.
• You will need to register your vehicle ahead of time so you don't have to on the day! (link coming soon)

Departures

We expect the majority of attendees to depart from 13:00 after the  programme ends. We kindly ask you to depart Gilwell Park by 15:00.

There'll be a one-way system in place with vehicles exiting via the Main Drive. There'll be a pick-up area accessed via the Branchet Field back gate.

After Fright event merchandise, including a number of personalised items will be available to purchase from Scout Stores (more information soon). After Fright merchandise will also be available to purchase at the event. 

Our on-site shop, The Providore, will be selling small souvenirs, gifts, sweets, cold drinks etc. We'll be looking at other catering providers for snacks and treats, but you'll need to bring your meals with you if you haven't pre-booked catering.

After Fright is a camping event. All pitches are allocated first-come first-served, so you may not end up in the same location if you’ve been before.

Please make sure you speak to our Camping Space team before pitching, or they might have to ask you to move if you end up somewhere you’re not meant to be.

Please keep your camp size to a minimum to help us fit everyone in. Please don’t erect fences or save space for others arriving later, as we fill areas in a phased manner before opening new ones.

Please keep paths, marked emergency access and any other zones closed off or signposted clear. Leave a distance of 1 m clear between tents, and 3 m around buildings and toilet blocks for emergencies and servicing.

Attendee vehicles will not be allowed onto campsites at any times and all gates will be closed.

Camping manners

To ensure everyone has an enjoyable stay, please remember the following:

• Everyone’s welcome at Scouts – be respectful of other people around you.
• Don’t walk through other people’s pitches and respect their privacy.
• Washing up should be done in outdoor sinks or at your campsite, not inside toilet blocks.
• Please report any damage or other issues at reception so we can make it safe or fix it.
• Please respect the centre by using the bins and leaving facilities as you found them.
• Generators are not allowed.
• Quiet hours on camping fields are from 22:30 until 07:30. Please avoid disturbing others.

Camping safety

We strongly advise you to review your fire risk assessment and bring suitable firefighting equipment with you (e.g. a fire blanket and extinguisher) as appropriate. Here are some tips to reduce the risk:

• Open fires and BBQs are not permitted due to the nature of the event.
• Camping stoves with cartridges must not be changed inside tents or near naked flames.
• All gas bottles should be kept outside of tents and away from naked flames.
• Any cooking equipment should be placed away from any canvas or other flammable materials.
• Gas pipes and regulators should be checked regularly.
• All areas should be kept tidy and free of combustible materials.
• Fuel must be stored safely and in containers no larger than 5 litres. Fuel containers should be stored in a ventilated metal box capable of holding the contents in the event of a leak or spillage.

There are a few simple things that you can do to help keep you and others safe during the event:

• If you see anything you think might be a hazard, please report it to a member of staff or at Scout Adventures reception. Be conscious of your own wellbeing and safety, and look out for others. 
• Complete a risk assessment for your own camping area and equipment, especially cooking equipment.
• Be prepared! If you're walking around after dark, take a torch. 

Pre-booked catering will be provided by our Scout Adventures team in our Adventure Kitchen, located in the CIC building.

Just so you know - it's subject to change due to availability of ingredients and so on. Although we'll have plenty of food for everyone, all of our food is prepared fresh and some options may run out if they're popular.

You'll need to bring your booking reference number/barcode with you (on a phone or printed is fine) to be able to access each meal and attend with the entirety of your group at the same time.

Our caterers are only able to cater for allergies and the dietary requirements you selected when booking your meals. We're not able to provide for preferences or tastes. 

The closing date for catering is Wednesday 30th September. 

Scout Adventures reception will be open throughout the weekend for anything you need. We'll also have a Lost Child point and First Aid point.

We'll have additional welfare and safeguarding resources available during the event, but volunteers are responsible for the young people in their care.

Please ensure all adults are familiar with the Yellow Card.

A charging point for mobility scooters and medical equipment will be available, as well as a fridge for any medication that needs to be kept cool.

It's helpful to ensure that young people have their group name along with their group contact's mobile number so we can locate them as quickly as possible if we need to.

Please wear your wristband throughout the event. Keep it friendly if someone asks to see yours - everyone is entitled to check.

This helps us to identify who, and more importantly who shouldn't, be on-site. 

If you lose a wristband, please make your way to the help point and we'll replace it for you.

The centre is 108 acres of open land with a public footpath and various access points. Please remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to a member of staff.

Keep valuables at home if you can, and keep anything you do bring in-sight or on your person.

Emergencies

For emergencies or urgent out-of-hours help, contact the Duty Manager on 0788 576 5074.

Defibrillators are located in the staff car park and at Wilson Way car park. The code to access these is available from the Duty Manager or the ambulance service.

In the event of an emergency

• Immediately inform a member of staff. They will take appropriate action and call for help.
• Follow all directions issued by staff.
• All calls for emergency services should be made by the Duty Manager (0788 576 5074), except where a delay would be life-threatening.

Discovery of a fire

• Activate the fire alarm or use a fire bell if present and warn people in the area.
• Try to control small fires using fire buckets or an appropriate extinguisher until help arrives. Don’t put yourself at risk – if in doubt, leave it alone.
• Evacuate the area immediately.

In the event of a terror attack

• RUN to a place of safety. This is a far better option than to surrender or negotiate. If there’s nowhere to go, then…
• HIDE It’s better to hide than to confront. Remember to turn your phone to silent and turn off vibrate. Barricade yourself in if you can. Then finally and only when it is safe to do so…
• TELL the police by calling 999.

Centre evacuation

In the event of a full evacuation of the centre, staff will marshal you to the chosen Assembly Point using the safest route. Follow their instructions and do not leave the centre until instructed. 

Individual bookings are not available - young people must attend with an organised group. 

No pets, other than assistance animals, are permitted in the centre.

Smoking is not permitted in front of young people, and only in designated smoking areas. No alcohol is permitted at the event.

Bins are located across all areas of the centre. Please help us to recycle by putting dry, clean mixed recyclables into the large green bins; and any other waste in the black bins or litter bins.

Toilets will be cleaned regularly by our team, and hand soap and toilet roll will be provided. Accessible toilets are available.

There are no fridges or freezers available to store food and drink.

Please be considerate of others' wishes when taking photos. No drones may be flown over Gilwell Park without express written permission from the event management team.

Most networks give good signal at Gilwell Park, and Wi-Fi is available across much of the centre.

Gilwell Park will return to hosting other groups on the Monday after After Fright, so please help us give a good impression of Scouts by leaving your pitch and other areas of the centre you use as you found them.

The majority of our event staff are volunteers who have given up their time to make your visit to Gilwell Park safe and enjoyable. Please keep the Scouts values in mind when interacting with others. We have a zero-tolerance approach to any type of abuse – you will be removed from the centre and details shared with your Lead Volunteer and/or the police.

After Fright requires a lot of volunteers to make the event happen, if you want to get involved then we would love to hear from you. We are looking for people that can help with all aspects of the event including activities and programme sections, catering, site team, traffic management, camping space etc.

Sign up here