Basingstoke East Scout District was formed in May 1979 at a time when Scouting in Basingstoke was at its highest with membership across the borough of Basingstoke and Deane numbering well over 2000 young people and some 25-30 Groups in all.    

The increase in residential areas on the fringes of the town and the destruction of large areas in the original town centre as part of the London overspill agreement of the 1970s, together with the resultant changes to demographic trends and living patterns, led to the amalgamation/closure of several Groups in the 1980s.

Today the District comprises of eight Scout Groups and two Explorer Scout Units.  Most Groups/Units are based in or near the town centre with the remainder in Old Basing, Chineham and Popley.