THE BIG OUTDOORS: Central heating and a comfortable bed? It's certainly not camping as we know it. KEVIN SHOESMITH reports on controversial moves in the scouting world to attract more modern day campers

SLEEPING under canvas could soon become a thing of the past for Swindon scouts, cubs, guides and brownies.

Moves within the scouting movement mean that future scouts and guides are more likely to stay in hotel style billets than traditional tents.

Hundreds of Swindon youngsters attend camps each year at Youlbury International Scout Camp near Oxford, but could soon be sleeping in centrally heated Swiss-style chalets.

The Scout Association, which celebrates its centenary in 2007, hopes its three new Centres of Excellence of which Youlbury is one will encourage more members. The other two are in Windermere, Cumbria, and Orpington, Kent.

The plans have disappointed the traditionalists, who fear the scouting movement is moving away from core values that were established by founder Robert Baden-Powell in 1907.

The centres will be centrally heated, so there will be no need for a sleeping bag, and many will have rifle ranges and go-kart tracks.

Such comforts come at a price, however.

Parents currently pay around £3 a night for their children to spend a night in the great outdoors, but prices could more than double for a night in the new luxury chalet-style accommodation.

Swindon scout leaders are quick to dismiss accusations of 'mollycoddling'.

Scout leader Neil Hutchings, 31, a former Assistant County Commissioner, who is currently working in London on the scout's hospitality board on celebrations for the 100-year milestone, said the new accommodation would enable younger scouts to go on overnight trips.

"Camping is often difficult with Beaver troops, who are aged six to eight," he said.

"From a practical view, it may also help to encourage disabled people to join.

"Youlbury will still have camping. It already has indoor accommodation, but it will be able to put youngsters up properly without the need for bunk beds."

Mr Hutchings said the estimated prices were still reasonable when compared with the cost of youth hostelling.

"You would expect to pay around £10 a night in most hostels," he said.

Roger Reeves, 61, deputy county commissioner for Wiltshire, said it was important that the Scout Association moves with the times.

"I've been involved in scouting in some way or another since I was eight years old and things have certainly changed," he said.

"The last thing we want to do is to create a 'fuddy-duddy' movement."

Mr Reeves added that scouting is about more than sleeping in tents and tying knots. He said: "Camping provides youngsters with some independence, which is important.

"But scouting has a lot more to offer. In a nutshell, we are trying to make youngsters good citizens. There are a range of other activities for them to get involved in such as gang shows and orchestras."

For details on joining the scouts call 0208 433 7100 or visit www.scoutbase.org.uk. For guiding inquiries call 0800 1695901 or visit www. girlguiding.cog.uk

Kevin Shoesmith