I am the facilitator for the Scottish Scouts Explorer Belt in June 2025. I am the organiser of a 14 leader strong team ensuring the safety of our 48 participants. This event is currently almost 2 years in its planning stage.

This trip includes 20 days duration and 3 safety traing weekends. All of which I volunteer my time using my holidays.

The Explorer Belt is the challenge of a lifetime that is available to Explorer Scouts aged over 16yrs and members of the Scout Network to 25yrs.

• a chance to undertake an international expedition over ten days that brings a real understanding of a different country, its people and way of life.

• often described as ‘the antidote to the package holiday’

• designed to help young people develop a real understanding of another country by travelling through that country, working as a small team to complete surprise projects, and meeting local people.

To complete the Explorer Belt, an Explorer Scout or member of the Scout Network must:

• plan and train for an international expedition as part of a small team

• travel to another country of their choice and travel through that country over ten days

• complete a major project of their own choice

• complete around ten smaller projects

• keep a notebook or diary during the expedition

• take part in a debriefing after the expedition

• make a presentation about the expedition

For more information please see https://www.scouts.org.uk/top-awards/explorer-belt/