Gloucestershire Scouts Poland Expedition
The Explorer Belt is a challenge of a lifetime, one of the hardest but most rewarding scouting challenges. It is a chance to develop a real understanding of a different country, its culture and way of life. At its core, this trip is a 10-day expedition from the edge of the Tatra mountains, travelling north to Krakow (about 100km as the crow flies). You’ll plan a route with your team, and undertake the expedition, walking and using public transport, while completing series of challenges and meeting local people. It is a great achievement and an experience you will remember for the rest of your life. Poland is perhaps not your typical holiday destination, and as such this is all the more reason to go – it is likely to be a new adventure for you! Poland has a rich culture, and the language is challenging but manageable. The cost of living is also quite favourable to delivering an expedition at reasonable cost, and there is good availability of flights from the UK. Explorers on this expedition will have the back-up of a support team comprising multiple experienced Explorer Belt leaders, who have organised and supported several expeditions in this area. This is an opportunity to undertake an exciting and fun adventure and complete an international challenge that you can use towards completing your King’s Scout Award, the highest scouting award. To be eligible for this trip, you must be aged over 16 by 31st July 2027 and not 25 before 15th August 2027. You must be an Explorer Scout (16-17), or a member of the Scout Network (18-24).
Total of 23 nights away comprising:
- Training weekend 1: 27-29 Nov ‘26
- Training weekend 2: 19-21 Mar ‘27
- Training weekend 3: 25-27 Jun ‘27
- Explorer Belt trip: 31-Jul to 15-Aug ‘27, subject to flight availability
- Presentation weekend: 10-12 Sep ‘27
During the trip you’ll experience 2 days for preparation/rest/briefing at the start near the mountain town of Zakopane. You’ll then undertake your 10-day / 9-night expedition following your route, before ending in Krakow. Re-grouping in Krakow the full contingent will rest and debrief while sight-seeing and experiencing the regional capital. The expedition will start near Zakopane and end in Krakow
- Planning will take place before the trip, routes, challenges, and projects will all require “sign-off” from the trip leaders.
- A significant amount of the planning will take place on the training weekends.
- Minimum 50-hour travelling time is required and should incorporate several methods of travel.
- Teams will loosely plan accommodation, this will also be varied, from camping to hotel, and anything in between.
- 10x challenges plus a project to complete during the expedition.
- Leader comms during the belt will include trackers and dedicated mobiles for daily check-ins. Leaders will meet each team.
- Poland is a safe country with no current FCO advisory notices. All routes will be more than 100 miles from the Ukraine border.
The cost of the trip will be £2000, all inclusive:
- Three UK training weekends, with travel, food, and accommodation
- Return flights to Poland and all transfers
- Accommodation, food, and local sight seeing in Zakopane
- Krakow hostel accommodation, food, and main tourist attractions
- Daily Expedition Allowance
- Expedition leader support team
- Belt presentation weekend.
- ~23 nights away.
A non-refundable 10% deposit of £200 will be required to be paid by 31 August ‘26. This will secure your place on the trip. Ten instalments of £180 will be due from September ’26 to June ’27 inclusive.
This expedition is open to all Explorer/Network members in Gloucestershire who meet the age requirements. Participant and parents information evenings, probably lasting around an hour, are scheduled for:
- 7pm on Wednesday 10th June – Aston Ingham Scout Hall, Forest of Dean (Postcode: HR9 7LS)
- 7pm on Sunday 14th June – Charlton Kings Scout Hall, Cheltenham (Postcode: GL53 8QR)
A note on funding:
We have not budgeted for any fundraising income or grants, but we think that based on the previous Belts and with parental support, a price reduction could be achieved. A 20% contingency has been applied to our projected budget, this is to protect the Belt form unexpected costs, such as inflation, currency volatility and flight / baggage / fuel price changes. Once the Belt has been completed, we will distribute any remaining contingency funds back to you.
To register for this trip, please complete the registration form or use this QR code.
To secure your booking please transfer your £200 deposit before 31-Aug to:
Lloyds Bank
Account name: Gloucestershire County Scout Council
Sort code: 30-99-50
Account number: 41480560
Reference: BELT27 <lastname><initial>
e.g: BELT27 SmithA