The process and planning for your trip
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Over 11,000 Scouts travel abroad from the United Kingdom each year to take part in camps, international events, exchanges, tours and expeditions.
Some of these Scouts travel with commercial travel companies, or as part of a package organised by a Scout County, District or Group.
This can be particularly valuable to groups venturing abroad for the first time, as the organisers of the package undertake most of the detailed planning and arrangements, including perhaps optional activities, excursions or other programme content.
Thinking of going abroad
You may be considering taking a group of young people abroad, but are unsure of exactly what is involved in organising a trip.
Why are you thinking of going abroad? Before planning your trip, you need to be clear of the purpose of your visit. What will the group gain from the experience? How can you involve your young people in the planning of the trip?
Visits Abroad with Scouting
POR Rule 9.3 covers going on a Visit Abroad with Scouting and outlines a process to follow which applies to both trips with young people and adult only trips through Scouting.
If you're planning a trip for Beavers and Cubs then Colony and Pack Visits Abroad has a lot of helpful information that will aid with the planning.
There are lots of people with international Scouting experience to guide and support you on your journey if you have any concerns of questions. These include:
Visits Abroad Recommender: supports you through your Visit Abroad process, ensuring you have everything in place and making sure it gets approved by the Visits Abroad Approver. They can also notify Scouts in your host country that you’ll be arriving and issue you with a letter of introduction. Your Visits Abroad Recommender notifies UK HQ about your trip once it has been approved by Visits Abroad Approver.
Visits Abroad Approver: approves your Visit Abroad, confirming that it's planned in line with TSA rules and guidance.
Headquarters: receive your Visit Abroad notification from your Visits Abroad Recommender after it has been approved by the relevant Visits Abroad Approver. This ensures headquarters know where UK Scouts are in the world and can offer support and assistance if needed.
International opportunities is a list of international Scout camps, events and expeditions happening all over the world which you could consider taking a group of young people to. This is updated bi-monthly.
The Visits Abroad Process
There is a very clear rule and process to follow and lots of people with international Scouting experience to guide you on your journey.
Read the processActivities to prepare for visits abroad
Discover the activitiesOverseas travel packages
Discover the packages