;

Scouting offers a whole variety of opportunities to go abroad such as International Events, campsites in other countries, exchanges, packages, day trips, community projects and lots more. Information on all of these opportunities is available on these web pages.

The first steps for anyone thinking of going abroad are to download a flowchart identifying the steps required when undertaking a visit abroad and obtain a copy of the 'Thinking of Going Abroad' factsheet (FS260018) from the Scout Information Centre.

Page 5 of the factsheet is a detachable form for you to send to your ACC/AAC (International) or County/Area International Adviser. He or she can provide a range of information and support specific to the type of opportunity you have chosen to take up.

POR Chapter 9 also contains specific rules relating to visits abroad.

In order to help plan overseas trips, the International Team has produced a number of "International Country Packs" which give information and support for planning your visits to various countries. At present, there are eight packs covering...

Click on the relevant flag to download the country pack.

Scouting Ireland have produced a guidance pack for foreign scouts visiting their country...

[Contact the International Office]

On receipt of the form, your ACC/AAC (International) or County/Area International Adviser will supply you with a copy of the Visits Abroad Folder which contains:

• The Travel Abroad (TA) Form;
• A Flowchart identifying the steps required when undertaking a visit abroad
• A Checklist and expanded notes for your preparations;
• An Emergency Contact Card & Notification Card;
• Travel Insurance information and an application form and
• One copy of Scouting in the United Kingdom leaflet
• A Report Back Form

The Travel Abroad form is the means whereby a visit is authorised. As with all activities in the Association, the authorisation for the trip is made by the District Commissioner (County Commissioner for Scout Network). The form must be completed well in advance of the proposed visit abroad and it is retained by the ACC/AAC (I) within the County/Area.

The Checklist contains a brief list of those things which need to be considered when planning a visit abroad. Fuller notes are included on each of the checklist points as well as a list of supporting resources.

The Notification Card is sent as a courtesy to the Host Association by the ACC/AAC (I) informing them of your visit. The Emergency Home Contact Card needs to be signed by the ACC/AAC (I) and returned to the International Office. Upon receipt of the Emergency Home Contact Card an acknowledgement letter will be sent by the International Office to the party leader, with another letter enclosed for the Emergency Home Contact.

Please remember that the Emergency Home Contact must not be related to any party member and must be accessible by telephone during the day as well as the evening. More detailed information on Home Contacts is available in the 'Home Contacts' Factsheet (FS120078).

An information leaflet on the current Overseas Travel Insurance policy is included. This information includes an application form which groups complete and return to Scout Insurance Services. If you are considering an alternative policy, it must be of a comparable level of cover. This can be verified by Scout Insurance Services.

The Report Back Form enables your County/Area to collect information so that others can benefit from your experiences.

The International letter of Introduction (ILI) acts as a Scout Passport. It is available to all members of the Scout Movement (or adult Leaders in the case of a party) in order to prove that they are members of the Scout Movement.

The ILI carries no automatic rights but is an effective way of ensuring a warm welcome from Scouts in other countries. The party leader will be issued with an ILI by the ACC/AAC (I).

For those travelling abroad as an individual or on a family holiday, an International Letter of Introduction can be provided. Complete this form and submit to your AAC/ACC(International).