We spoke to Alex Hawkins, publicity rep for SCOGUI society. SCOGUI has been a part of the LSU since 1953 and boasts a fantastic range of opportunities and activities, and is often seen as one of the most diverse socieites on campus. Activities range from charity work to camping trips, all the while learning new skills and having a good time.

What is SCOGUI about?

SCOGUI is the affectionate name for the Loughborough Students’ Union Student Scout and Guide Club that is open to absolutely everyone, whether you come from a Scouting or Guiding background or not. SCOGUI provides members with the opportunity to have a go at everything and anything with an impetus of fun and adventure that envelopes everything that we do.  As one of the longest-running university societies, SCOGUI has a rich history not only within the student body but of volunteering within the local community that often opens doors to allow us to do some pretty amazing things!

What sorts of events are put on by the society?

It’s hard to describe exactly what SCOGUI does because we have a go at almost everything, but in short, we love to have fun, go on adventures and are always challenging ourselves to try new things. Last year for instance we had a go at Morris dancing, visited an Explosion! museum, made musical instruments out of humble vegetables, went bouldering and hundreds more besides!

SCOGUI prides itself in offering an opportunity to have a go at just about everything, offering you the opportunity to get involved in:

·         Weekly meetings/activities on Tuesday evenings

·         Four camping trips per year (October, May, June and August)

·         Three SSAGO camps per year (SSAGO is the Student Scout and Guide Organisation) and one SSAGO ball

·         Plus various other socials throughout the year!

Last year SCOGUI racked up just over 1000 hours of volunteering within the local community and was lucky enough to be recognised in the Chief Operating Officer’s awards because of this. SCOGUI has been around since 1953 and is now more than just a society, it’s a community icon with a reputation for unrivalled fun and enjoyment – not only to members but for others as well.

Why, when and how did you join?

Now I’m not sure whether I should really be using the word join – coerced may be more appropriate –  however I found the SCOGUI chair on the Freshers’ hike up the Beacon Hill. After a fairly long chat and a walk that took far longer than it should have done things went from there really.

From the very first Tuesday night I went to, you are made to feel at home with SCOGUI and it truly does epitomise the “home away from home” philosophy that has come to be associated with the societies section as a whole. That sense of being at home has continued right the way through my time with SCOGUI and still exists to this day.

Best or most memorable moments from your time with the society?

Now I’m probably not allowed to mention my most memorable moment with SCOGUI for fear of scaring off any Freshers, however there are a few notable events that spring to mind when trying to answer this question. Whilst other members of the society might highlight micro-lighting, building rope bridges or even dressing up to sell programmes at an historic car festival; the event that epitomises SCOGUI for me would have to be our Christmas Secret Santa when one member in particular received an entire week’s worth of shopping within the £5 budget that was allowed. The sense of elation exhibited personifies the feeling that SCOGUI could give to anyone as it really is just like one big family.

Describe your society in three words!

Hilarious, Kinship, Diverse

Last word – what would you say to someone thinking of joining up?

If you’re in any doubt about what society you should be joining, then hopefully we’ve made it clear that you should definitely join SCOGUI. As a society SCOGUI is like a family in its own right. Whether you want to enjoy the outdoors, have a go at baking with a bizarre array of ingredients or simply make friendships that you’ll keep for an eternity the SCOGUI is the society for you.

If you want to know any more then feel free to get in touch with us via any of our social media channels. To finish off, we’d like to wish you an amazing first year at university and welcome you to the #lborofamily!

Interested in finding out more? Contact LSU SCOGUI at scogui@scogui.org.uk, or find their social media channels here: Twitter and Facebook. Their website: www.scogui.org.uk

LSU has a huge range of societies – you can find the list of all 115+ societies here . If SCOGUI isn’t quite what you were looking for, you could also try Hiking Society, Living History Society, or Landscaping and Gardening Society.

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