UK Contingent makes waves in Norway

The UK Contingent was formed of 43 patrols – a group of eight young people representing a county or area of the UK. The patrols formed in 2023 and have been on a journey of preparation, getting to know each other, learning skills, and fundraising for the experience.

Roverway participants are aged between 16-22, spanning our Explorer Scout and Scout Network age ranges. The event had a focus on youth leadership, with each patrol leading their own experience.

On 22 July, we waved our participants off from several UK airports as they headed for Norway. For the first five days, our UK patrols explored a ‘path’ with patrols from several other countries. They camped and cooked together, sharing languages and cultures, while also exploring areas of Norway, including around Oslo, Trondheim and Kristiansand.

After this, all participants travelled through the beautiful Norwegian countryside by bus to reach the main camp near Stavanger. For the next part of the experience, the five-day programme included cultural and networking activities, outdoor skills, water activities, sustainability, and a day to explore the local city. An International Day gave all contingents the opportunity to showcase their country – Irn-Bru and biscuits went down well in the UK Contingent tent, while our Scottish participants led a ceilidh for nearly 200 young people.

The International Service Team (IST) also supported with the event. 100 volunteers from UK Scouts worked in international teams to help build the site, lead activities, distribute food and keep things clean. They also learned skills, made friends and explored Norway.

The closing campfire on 1 August marked the end of the event, but not the end of the journey. On their way home, the UK Contingent had a special day at Sola Beach to reflect on their experiences and share stories, before setting sail on an overnight ferry to Denmark. Participants had two days to explore the capital city, Copenhagen, before flying home on 5 August.

While we saw scenes of unrest and violence in the UK, our participants learned that they’re part of a worldwide family of Scouts, and realised the role that Scouts can play in bringing communities together. We hope they’ll all go on to lead future international events.