If you've had an account before, you will need to dust it off and log into the SSAGO website, and on your dashboard update your club to Scout and Guide Graduate Association. If you've forgotten the email or password in your old age please make use of the "forgot password" button and try a few potential emails. If you're still stuck please get in touch with the team by email alternativerally2025@ssago.org and we can help locating your old account.
If you're totally new you will need to create an account to book, you can do so by clicking here to get started. It may take some time for your account to be approved.
Once you have done, log in to your account and you will be able to register your interest for attending, and sign up when bookings open.
The team is made up of Harriet Bell, Leigh Brooks and Ellis Meakin.
No. Alternative Rally will be a significantly smaller event designed to be somewhere between a SSAGO Rally and the style of events SAGGA runs. Unlike a rally we'll be relying on everyone to get involved with camp jobs and you'll have both the flexibility to decide (and even organise) activities.
SAGGA has mascots however they are not stealable at the event. Please feel free to bring your mascot and show them off at the event.
No. Alternative Rally is open to anyone who wants to attend and have fun, whether or not you're currently or previously a member of any organisation.
Of course! There's no requirement to have been part of SSAGO, Scouting or Guiding before to attend.
The aim of the event is to introduce people to SAGGA and as such there'll be lots of opportunity to chat and get to know everyone, including current SAGGA members and also those who are interested in joining.
How do we contact you? By email on alternativerally2025@ssago.org. You can also find us on the SAGGA Discord, and post questions on the chat channel for us to respond to there.
Our main arrival window is between 5pm and 8pm on Friday 19th, however we are flexible if people wish to arrive outside these times. Please let us know if this is the case.
Yes, please let us know what times you're planning to be there so we can work out an appropriate cost and what meals you'd like.
Yes. Please get in touch as we can offer a slight reduction in camp fees. Unfortunately we won't be able to offer lifts to off-site accomodation so you will be responsible for sorting travel to/from site each day.
Yes, there are several hotels in the area within walking distance of the site. The closest hotels are the Premier Inn Southport Central (straight across the road!) and Waterfront Hotel. You will need to book these yourself if you wish to stay there.
There is no current requirement to hold a DBS or PVG check to attend the event as there are no under 18s present. As part of the booking we will ask you to provide scout or guide membership numbers (if you have them) so these can be verified. Scouting, Guiding and SSAGO event members who are suspended from Scouting, Guiding or SSAGO will be unable to attend in line with their suspension conditions.
The ticket price includes:
Costs not included are:
As a SAGGA camp we will be expecting people to muck in and help where required, and you will select your preferred jobs as part of the booking process. There will also be ad-hoc jobs including general tidying, fetching wood, restocking toilet rolls etc. All these things get done much faster with everyone helping and as a small organizing team we won't be able to do everything. If you see a job that you think needs doing and you're able to do it please do and if you're not sure how ask us or anyone else.
Unlike a SSAGO camp, the majority of our our costs are fixed, and so the price to book on will remain the same throughout the entire booking process.
Yes. Please get them to book their own ticket. If that isn't possible drop us an email and we will be able to set them up an account.
Definitely, the more the merrier!
Unfortunately, due to DBS requirements we cannot allow under 18s to attend this event.
We are very flexible on arrival times. We are advising people should arrive between 5-8pm on Friday 19th and depart between 2-4pm on Sunday 1st.
We understand with work commitments, travel distance and train times this may not be possible for everyone and you may have to arrive later on Friday or depart earlier on Sunday. If that's the case please let us know during booking when you expect to arrive depart and we'll aim to have lifts available (if required) and keep you some food. Please note if you are arriving early on Friday we may not be able to collect you until closer to 5pm once our drivers start to arrive.
No. We have not paid for exclusive use of the site however we are currently the only users of the campsite and building. The adjacent caravan site will be in use that weekend and the site operates an 11pm quiet time. All campfires must be finished by then and everyone either must be inside the building or quiet in tents at that time. We are prepared that there may be other young people using the site and expect attendees to be respectful and follow the Scouting yellow and green cards and Guiding's A Safe Space rules at all times and especially in the presence of young people.
Yes, please let us know what times you're planning to be there so we can work out an appropriate cost and what meals you'd like.
Yes. Please get in touch as we can offer a slight reduction in camp fees. Unfortunately we won't be able to offer lifts to off-site accomodation so you will be responsible for sorting travel to/from site each day.
We will have a duty first aider at all times who will hold first response (or higher). There will also be a designated space which can be used as an escape if people are feeling overwhelmed.
We're able to put in any reasonable adjustments required for people to attend the event, please get in touch with our team to discuss. We understand the format of this event is very different to rally and other camps so what is required and what adjustments we can make are likely to be different.
Unlike a rally we are working with a significantly smaller team with no fixed roles. Please feel free to reach out to alternativerally2025@ssago.org to discuss.
We expect that Alternative Rally will have a significantly more relaxed atmosphere than a SSAGO event and we will have a variety of social spaces on offer, each which will naturally have a different atmosphere and volume.
We also have a designated "first aid" area for use as a private space to respond to mental and physical emergencies.
We have limited indoor accommodation space available on a first-come-first-served basis for up to 40 people across 3 bunk rooms. This comes at an additional cost of £15 per person.
We have plenty of indoor space available to cover wet weather activities.
On Saturday activities will be significantly less formal than a rally and are mostly up to participants to self organise. We will poll people during booking to find out what you'd be interested in and do some initial matchmaking. We expect most activities will not be pre-booked and people will turn up and pay on the day where required. We encourage people to discuss their ideas on the SAGGA Discord and find others to make a group with. Many people will have cars available and we have a growing list of activity suggestions on our website.
We are not including costs for any of these in the ticket price and drivers may want to split petrol and parking costs with passengers. If they don't they might appreciate a drink when they get back to site!
Yes. Activities are self organized on Saturday so you can arrange to do them with whomever. For everything else we will naturally sort into smaller groups. If there's someone you want to be with then this can be accommodated when groups form.
We won't be allocating indoor accomodation. If you want a fixed bunk mate when you arrive please put stuff on both beds.
Several members will have brought their own personal games. If there's a game you'd like to play ask around and suggest a game. There's no allocated time for games so people are welcome to play at any time, although we will expect games to tidied away during breakfast and dinner.
We will update when things change however as a smaller event to a rally our timings are significantly less fixed and will adapt throughout the weekend. The timetable is designed so people are able to plan arriving, departing and their activities Saturday.
Of course, you're welcome to come and go as you please. We'd appreciate if when leaving the site you could make others aware you're heading off. Please let us know if you are fully departing site and won't be returning.
The only permitted fires at Waterside Lodge are altar fires, which we will be making use of on the Friday night! The fires must end at 10pm, so the singing will need to emd then and the fire will be made safe.
No. All activities are optional and you can sit out at any point. There is no requirement to go off site on Saturday, although we expect most people will choose leave for some of the day you can choose to catch up on some sleep, do work or other things.
We expect most activities Saturday to be self-organised and there is nothing to prevent a group of people planning an activity based on-site.
If you've got a game you'd like to bring (and explain the rules for) please do. There'll be lots of opportunities for games big and small throughout the weekend and lots of people keen to play. We will likely have a games table in the main building where people can keep games in the dry. You can also ask on X if other people would be keen to play or check if other people are planning to bring the same game.
Southport station is within walking distance of the site, and any shuttles will be subject to drivers volunteering to do shuttles! We will draw up a plan for this once the majority of bookings come in and we know how many willing drivers we have. Priority will be given to those with accessibility needs. Please contact the team to arrange.
Transport to other locations off site should be arranged within groups.
Yes, the site has a car park available. We will be using cars for transport to activities on Saturday so if you are driving to site please also consider being a driver to activities, you will be able to split costs of petrol and parking with your passengers if you wish. We would also encourage you to car pool where possible, even if there's no one near you there might be someone on route or a convenient train station others could get to.
You will be asked to provide your requirements as part of the booking process. How these are accommodated will work differently depending on which meal and your exact requirements, and you may have an email to discuss exact arrangements in advance depending on your needs.
You don't have to turn up for meals if you don't wish. You will select which meals you plan on having as part of booking.
Please email us and we'll be able to send items via regular mail, collection by a friend or using SAGGA post.
More info coming soon! Until then, please see the SAGGA website: https://sagga.org.uk/about.
If you experience any issues in the booking process, please contact webmaster@ssago.org.