Anwen Owen, a student, Branwen Evans, a teaching assistant, and Steven Jones, an E-commerce manager, all from Swansea are currently with nearly 500 UK Scouts on a once-in-a-lifetime international adventure, known as World Scout Moot, in Portugal.
9000 Scouts from across the world, aged between 18 and 25 years old, are gathered in Portugal for the 16th World Scout Moot. The adventure began in Tejo Park in Lisbon on 25th July and will finish in Porto. Throughout the jam-packed event, they are immersing themselves in Portuguese communities and culture. The international Scouting event includes a 4-day expedition, during which, participants group with Scouts from other countries and take one of 100 routes through remote parts of Portugal.
After the expedition, Anwen and Branwen will reconvene with the other participants to have the remaining days filled with Scouting activities, international cultural learning and skill development at a camp base in Ovar, before the closing celebration and heading back home.
Full of anticipation as they got ready to leave for the adventure, Anwen said “This is my first international Scout trip and I’m super excited. I’m looking to practise my French with French-speaking Scouts, and I really hope to develop my language skills further. I’m looking forward to exploring Portugal and finding out all this exciting country has to offer.”
Branwen said “I’m buzzing to be heading off to my first ever world Scouting event – it’s such a massive opportunity! I can’t wait to meet Scouts from all over the world, make loads of new mates, and pick up some new skills along the way. I’m really looking forward to learning about different cultures and getting stuck into everything Portugal has to offer. It’s going to be an adventure I’ll never forget”
Steven is a Scout volunteer. As part of the Organising Team, he has spent years planning and co-ordinating the UK Contingent for the World Scout Moot, he is thrilled to be part of something that provides so many opportunities for young adults in Scouting.
With the final preparations complete, ready to travel to Portugal Steven said “I’m super excited for sunshine, fun and the cohesive international nature of the Moot. I’ve been involved in the organising for the UK contingent and it’s been great; I can’t wait for the participants to get engaged and develop even more skills for life.”
This year’s theme of World Scout Moot is ‘engage’. The event encourages Scouts to connect with others and their community through cross-cultural exchange, understanding, and friendship. World Scout Moot not only gives participants their own unique experiences, but the opportunity to embed the skills and internal drive to positively impact the world around them. Opportunities like this continue to be created thanks to the support of the players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Chief Scout, Dwayne Fields wished the team from Swansea well prior to their departure by saying, “A massive good luck to Anwen, Branwen and Steven and all the UK Scouts who are at the World Scout Moot. This is an amazing opportunity to discover yourself and the world around us, while exploring how you can create meaningful change. The true international spirit of Scouting will shine through, with so many chances to learn from other Scouts around the world. I know each UK Scout attending will grab the opportunity to create memories, friendships and skills to last a lifetime. We know that too many young people today grow up unhappy and worried about their future. Scouts aims to change that. We give young people a chance to belong and a place to be themselves.’’