Picture this: me, standing in the Squiffy Pub on the training field at Gilwell Park wearing glowing headphones, absolutely convinced I looked ridiculous while dancing to what appeared to be complete silence. Twenty-four hours earlier, I’d been grumbling about the “Silent Disco” like a Beaver who’d been told they couldn’t have second helpings of camp cake. How did I get here?

There are countless reasons why Scout Leaders from all over the globe flock to Gilwell Park in Essex for the annual Gilwell Reunion. Some come to gather fresh programme ideas, while others dive into enlightening workshops on topics like supporting young people with neurodiversity or setting up a new Squirrel Drey. And let’s not forget the invaluable networking opportunities that await.

Having attended the Gilwell Reunion for nearly 13 years,first as a delegate and for the last decade as a member of Bushscout, sharing practical skills,I can confidently say that every reunion brings a new lesson or a chance to try something fun. I’ve discovered countless games, innovative badge work suggestions, and fresh ideas to incorporate into our sections.

This year, however, I found myself grumbling on the Friday night about the “Silent Disco.” The noise was anything but silent, and let’s just say the karaoke skills of my fellow leaders made our Cubs’ rendition of “Ging Gang Goolie” sound positively professional and Simon Cowell would for sure hit the golden buzzer in Britain’s got Talent! One particularly enthusiastic leader’s attempt at “Don’t Stop Believin” had me questioning whether they’d actually stopped believing in the concept of melody entirely!

But after a bit of peer pressure from my fellow Bushscout Leaders, the kind of gentle encouragement usually reserved for convincing Scouts to try abseiling,I decided to give it a shot and ventured over to the Squiffy Pub the following evening. Armed with a pair of glowing headphones, I was about to be swept into the vibrant world of silent disco!

So, what exactly is a silent disco?

In a nutshell: instead of blaring music from speakers, each participant wears wireless headphones that allow them to choose from multiple music channels. As leaders dance to their chosen tunes, the scene becomes a kaleidoscope of colors, with flashing lights indicating which channel everyone is listening to. To anyone without headphones, we probably looked like a very enthusiastic mime convention! It’s a unique experience that turns the dance floor into a visual spectacle of joy and fun.

Before I knew it, I was switching between channels like a pro, one moment grooving to “The Time Warp” on channel blue, the next belting out “Summer of ‘69” on channel red, and then Barry’s enthusiastic arm-waving somehow dragged me over to channel green for “Mr. Blue Sky.” The night was filled with laughter and camaraderie as hundreds of Scout Leaders donned their glowing headphones, lost in the rhythm and joy of the moment. I even attempted “Wigfield’s Saturday Night dance routine ”actually all in sync! Just 24 hours prior, I’d been grumbling about how annoying the silent disco sounded, but I was now a complete convert!

So, fellow Scout Leaders, before we dismiss new systems, updated badge requirements, or those seemingly endless POR updates that land in our inboxes like unwanted risk assessments, let’s take a page from my silent disco experience. Embrace these changes and give them a go! Try that new activity you’ve been putting off, give those digital badges a chance, or actually read through that latest Safety guidance.

If it doesn’t work out and you find it’s not your cup of tea—no worries! At least you’ve given it a shot. You might just find that the challenges you once grumbled about turn into delightful adventures, just like my unforgettable night at the Gilwell Reunion. After all, isn’t that what we’re always telling our young people to do? Try it and push yourself!

Or even just like me, if you’ve never attended a silent disco before, go find one or even arrange one for your next camp. You never know, you might enjoy it just like I did and find yourself in a muddy field surrounded by fellow Scouters, hopping along to Queen’s greatest hits on channel red!