#YouChoose – District Youth Conference

Many thanks to all the Scouts and Explorers who attended the District Youth Conference on 27 February, which will shape our plans on how we will celebrate the year of the World Jamboree in Korea during 2023.

Group Scout Leaders from across the District and the District team have heard the headlines from the conference and we will endeavor to shape Scouting during 2023 to meet the aspirations of those who attended  – either as individuals who were not selected to go to Korea, or those representing the views of their Group or Unit.

Scouts and Explorers want more outdoor activities as their best-ever day away – particularly those involving water activities or scaling rock faces as well as more fun activities such as go-karting and ziplining. Going to theme parks was also a popular choice. This Scouting-theme was reinforced when we asked what Scout-specific activities they wished to do – again water-related activities were a firm favourite, along with camping , climbing and snowports. Explorers also identified caving and and motorsports as things that they would like to try.

They gave us quite a list of places that they think that young people from abroad may wish to visit in and around London – the London Eye, Tower of London, London Dungeon and visiting places such as Tate Modern and Chinatown where popular options – again, alongside theme parks such as Thorpe Park. As a personal choice, going to the beach was highly rated as well as trampolining and driving experiences.

Regarding trips, the preferred option was to “twin” with other Districts and Groups from other countries and hold exchange camps. The District Team will start to consider how this, and other options identified by the participants, can be delivered during 2023.