Visits Abroad

9.3.1.1
A Visit Abroad (VA) is defined as: Any visit outside the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man on a recognised and approved Scout activity or travelling in the name of the Scouts. This applies to youth and adult members, and non-members.

Youth and adult members, and non-members located within the British Scouting Overseas area, Gibraltar and Northern Ireland must follow the Visits Abroad Process when leaving the country where their group is registered. However, exceptionally, specific alternative arrangements may be approved and documented by a relevant Country or Area Lead Volunteer.

9.3.1.2
All members should carry a valid UK EHIC or GHIC card for travelling within many European Countries including the Republic of Ireland. UK GHIC cards are obtainable from the NHS website.

9.3.1.3
A camp or residential activity abroad which includes Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, or Explorers, must be led by an adult holding a relevant Nights Away Permit. For Scout Network visits abroad see Rule 9.2.5.

9.3.1.4
All visits abroad must follow the Visits Abroad (VA) Process and must be signed at both part A & part B, before the visit leaves the UK, as below:

1. England:
   District or County Visits Abroad Approver, on the basis of the
   recommendation by the County Visits Abroad Recommender.
2. Northern Ireland:
   District or Country Visits Abroad Approver, on the basis of the
   recommendation by the Northern Ireland Visits Abroad Recommender.
3. Scotland:
   District or Regional Visits Abroad Approver, on the basis of the
   recommendation by the Regional Visits Abroad Recommender.
4. Wales:
   District or Area Visits Abroad Approver, on the basis of the
   recommendation by the Area Visits Abroad Recommender.
5. BSO:
   District or Area Visits Abroad Approver, on the basis of the
   recommendation by the Area Visits Abroad Recommender.
6. County Headquarters, UK Headquarters:
   Country Visits Abroad Approver, on the basis of the recommendation by the Country Visits Abroad Recommender.
7. UK Headquarters
   UK Visits Abroad Approver, on the basis of the recommendation by the UK Visits Abroad Recommender.

Note that the Approver and the Recommender cannot be the same person.

9.3.1.5
The Visits Abroad Recommender must complete the online VA notification form, notifying UK Headquarters of the trip.

Guidance regarding Visits Abroad, and the Visits Abroad process is available on scouts.org.uk, or by contacting your County Visits Abroad Recommender about your planned visit.

9.3.1.6
The UK Leader in Charge of a visit abroad must ensure that adequate travel insurance has been arranged for all members of the party, and that suitable InTouch arrangements are in place (Rule 9.1.1).

9.3.1.7
For Northern Ireland, Scouts travelling to the Republic of Ireland it is not a requirement to take out additional travel insurance, providing the trip is for no longer than 48 hours. If it is assessed that cover is required for emergency medical expenses, personal possession, or cancellation then travel insurance must be purchased.

9.3.1.8
All members should carry a valid UK EHIC or GHIC card for travelling within relevant European Countries including the Republic of Ireland. UK GHIC cards are obtainable from the NHS website.

9.3.1.9
The UK Leader in Charge of any adventurous activities abroad must apply the appropriate rules and hold the appropriate adventurous activity permits, classifying the hills/mountains or waters as defined in Rules 9.12.4, 9.12.7, 9.13.3, although the altitude criteria for hills/mountains do not apply in some areas. In case of doubt, the relevant Programme Team should be consulted.

9.3.1.10
When abroad, UK members may take part in activities being run by members of the host Scout organisation following the host organisation’s guidance and rules. In this context, Kandersteg International Scout Centre is deemed an independent Scout organisation. There must be a Leader from the UK present who must stop the activity if they have safety concerns at any point. Activities forbidden by The Scout Association remain forbidden even when abroad. If using external providers abroad see POR Rule 9.6 for further guidance.

9.3.1.11
UK members, including members of the British Scouting Overseas, Gibraltar, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, under the age of 18, may only take part in group based hosted hospitality experiences such as using group accommodation. They must not participate in home-based hospitality experiences, such as in private homes.