This July, a group of Explorer Scouts travelled from Wales to Ireland, exploring the country, meeting local Scouts and developing skills for future international adventures.
For some of the Explorers, it was their first time travelling outside the UK. For others, one of the biggest challenges was simply setting off with people they did not know particularly well.
Megan admitted she had been nervous before the trip, having only met the other Explorers once before.
“I think I enjoyed making new friends the most because I find it difficult to do so on a normal basis”
That experience of building friendships and becoming more confident around others was echoed across the group.
Jacob said: “I learnt to have more social confidence in myself when talking to strangers. I came in with social anxiety and came out with a load of new friends.”
Learning through adventure
The journey took the group from Waterford to Tralee, Shannon, Galway and Dublin, with plenty of adventure along the way.
They explored the Ring of Kerry and Killarney National Park, visited the Cliffs of Moher and Aillwee Caves, tackled the inflatable course at Baysports Water Park and explored Dublin, including a cruise along the River Liffey.
There were plenty of favourites. Aillwee Caves, with its underground formations and waterfalls, proved particularly popular, as did the birds of prey centre. Larch Hill International Scout Centre, just outside Dublin, was another highlight, not least because of the views and the deer roaming around the site.
But this was never intended to be simply a sightseeing trip.
The Explorers had to budget, cook, navigate, pack and repack as they moved between campsites, adapt when plans changed and work together to tackle the challenges that come with travelling as a group.
Not everything went entirely to plan – particularly in the cooking department – but even those moments became part of the learning.
Henry said one activity he would recommend before going on a trip like this was: “Planning and cooking a meal with a budget, although it was a disaster(medium rare chicken) it was a lot of fun to do”
Charlotte also highlighted the practical skills they developed: “Yes, we were able to make a meal and budget food and other things”
For Oliver, constantly moving between campsites provided another lesson.
“I learnt to pack much lighter. As you don’t want to be carrying too much in your day pack. And I also learned consistency in packing away my stuff and moving from campsite to campsite, that was a new experience for me, and I learned how to do that.”
Connecting with Scouts beyond Wales
One of the most important elements of the trip was meeting other Scouts and discovering what they had in common.
The group began their Irish adventure by meeting 49th Cork Ballincollig Scouts and later connected with a local Venture Scout in Shannon and 1st Port of Galway Scouts.
In Galway, their hosts flew a Welsh flag to welcome the group, while the ScoutsCymru contingent brought a taste of Wales with them in the form of fresh Welsh cakes. They also signed flags as a lasting reminder of their time together.
There was even an unexpected international Scouting encounter in Dublin when the Explorers met a group of Danish Scouts in Temple Bar.
For Jacob, meeting people was one of the highlights of the experience.
“I enjoyed meeting new people and socialising with them. Finding out how they live and generally talking and sharing cultures.”
Isaac also valued the social side of the trip and the friendships that developed.
“I don’t have one specific memory that was the most lasting, rather I’d say that the whole trip was an amazing experience, and I’ve made friends from across Wales, who I know that I will keep in touch with.”
Ready for the next challenge
A key aim of the experience was to help the young people develop the confidence and skills they will need if they choose to take on an Explorer Belt – a challenging international experience which requires Explorers to plan, travel independently and engage with the communities and cultures they encounter.
Their reflections after returning home suggest the trip has done exactly that.
The Explorers identified skills ranging from budgeting, cooking, navigation and time management to communication, teamwork and problem-solving. Just as importantly, several talked about having greater confidence in their own ability to deal with unfamiliar situations.
Charlotte described returning with: “A sense of accomplishment for doing something completely new, and also amazing as I learnt so much and it was a trip to remember.”
Henry said: “Yes, I believe more in my abilities to resolve problems after this trip”
For Oliver, who said this was his first time leaving the UK, the experience has made the prospect of taking on an Explorer Belt feel much more achievable.
“Yes, I feel like this trip has better prepared me for the Explorer Belt, as it’s really given me a taste of what a full expedition would be like. And honestly, that is really exciting to look forward to.”
Isaac also returned determined to take his adventure further:
“I have learned to have confidence in myself that I can do stuff like this, and it’s good for me to step outside of my comfort zone. I am very proud of how I’ve changed during the process of planning the trip, and then during the trip itself.”
Perhaps the clearest endorsement comes from what the Explorers would now say to another young person considering taking on an Explorer Belt.
Their message was remarkably consistent: Go for it!
As Jacob put it: “Absolutely go for it! It is an unforgettable experience that will stay with you. You get to see so many new places and meet awesome people along the way. I highly recommend it to anyone thinking about doing it.”
The trip was made possible through Taith funding, giving the Explorers the opportunity to experience international travel, connect with Scouts in another country and develop the confidence and practical skills that will support them on future adventures.
After 894 miles, countless new experiences, a few cooking mishaps and friendships that could last far beyond the trip itself, the group returned to Wales with much more than photographs and memories.
They came home with new skills, greater confidence and a taste for where their next Scouting adventure could take them.
