Archery Range Upgrade

Aim

We are building a new, fully inclusive archery range at Bushy Wood Activity Centre to replace our existing facility.

Who are we?

Bushy Wood is a 17.4 acre residential outdoor activity centre in East Sussex, owned by Eastbourne District Scout Council (registered charity 305846), providing high-quality outdoor education and adventure opportunities for young people, community groups, and other participants of all ages.

Why are we crowdfunding?

One of our most popular activities is archery — a sport that offers a rare combination of physical focus, accessibility, and individual progression, making it especially suitable for a wide range of abilities and needs.

Our existing archery range has served us well for over 15 years but is no longer fit for purpose. It lacks weather protection, has no lighting, and is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. 

Usage drops significantly in poor weather or during the darker months, disproportionately affecting those who rely on our structured group sessions — especially young people with special educational needs, low-income families, and older or disabled participants who depend on reliable, accessible provision.

We want to build a new, purpose-designed archery range that is inclusive, weatherproof, and suitable for year-round use. The new facility will comply with guidance from Archery GB, the national governing body, and will be built by a combination of charity staff and skilled volunteers, ensuring long-term value and community involvement. 

It will be fully accessible, with appropriate surfacing, shelter, and lighting, so that users with physical, sensory, or cognitive impairments can participate safely and confidently.

This project is about protecting and improving a much-loved, high-impact activity that already plays a vital, but currently restricted, role in our programme. 

We’ve consulted with instructors, volunteers, schools, and youth groups, and the feedback is consistent: archery is one of the most accessible and confidence-building activities we offer, but poor conditions too often lead to cancellations or exclusions. 

How we’ll spend the money raised

Project Costs and Support Needs

Our estimated total project cost has been developed in consultation with our regular and trusted suppliers, costs have been based on:

Site-specific measurements and design requirements for archery,

Archery GB guidance on safety and facility standards,

Quotations for key materials (timber, roofing, netting, lighting),

Previous experience delivering capital projects at Bushy Wood using a blend of volunteer and professional labour.

Project elemtns include:

Materials and structural components for the sheltered shooting area and range backstop,

Accessible surfacing and pathways to enable use by wheelchair users and those with mobility impairments,

Lighting installation, allowing evening and winter use,

Professional input where required (e.g. electrical work),

Contingency for unforeseen costs (approx. 10% added throughout).

Volunteer labour will account for a significant proportion of the construction work, dramatically reducing costs and increasing the project’s value for money. 

We are confident in this model, having successfully delivered similar infrastructure projects on-site in the past. All work will be managed under appropriate risk and safeguarding procedures.

Funding Approach:

We are contributing 10% of the total cost from our reserves. The remainder will be funded through the Sport England Movement Fund and this Crowdfunder. 

Community impact

Our goal is to create a safe, inclusive, and welcoming archery facility that enables more people — particularly those currently underrepresented in sport — to be active, engaged, and confident in a structured physical activity. 

Through the delivery of this project, we aim to:

Increase participation in physical activity, especially among children and young people, disabled users, and people from low-income backgrounds.

Reduce inequalities in access to sport, by removing environmental and structural barriers that currently limit participation due to weather, daylight, or physical access.

Provide a high-quality experience that supports confidence, wellbeing, and progression for every participant, regardless of ability or background.

By replacing our ageing archery range with a larger, weather-protected and fully lit facility, we will create a reliable year-round venue for archery that meets national standards set by Archery GB. 

This will ensure more sessions can go ahead, more people can take part safely, and those who need extra support — including disabled users and those with additional needs — are not excluded by unsuitable infrastructure.

The impact for participants will be immediate and lasting.

Ultimately, this facility gives people the chance to be active on their own terms, in a way that is safe, supported, and designed with their needs in mind — helping us meet the shared goal of reducing inactivity and tackling long-standing inequalities.

How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made