The Scout Association

Support & Resources : The International Links Scheme

The International Links Scheme

Published on: 03/02/2010

International Links

Scouting has always promoted international peace, understanding and cooperation through contacts with you young people from other countries and cultures. This international contact helps young people to develop awareness of life outside of their own immediate sphere, and assists them in recognising and respecting the differences that exist between the nations and races of the world.

The International Links Scheme offers a means of communicating with other Scouts abroad and provides an international experience without necessarily having to leave town. There are two types of links available:

international friends
international group links

Please note that most countries do not have sections covering the 6 to 8 years age range. Details of countries that have an equivalent to Beaver Scouts are given here.

International Friends

These are links between individual Cub Scouts, Scouts, and Explorer Scouts. This is a fun way of learning about life and culture of a Scout in a foreign country, and may result in a close friendship being established and perhaps even an exchange visit to each others country. It is often difficult to link people under 12 years of age as good language skills are needed.

International Group Links

Many Scout Groups in the UK like to match up with a group abroad to exchange letters, photos and material. The International Group Links section of the scheme is designed to help UK Groups to link up with a Beaver Scout Colony, Cub Scout Pack, Scout Troop or Venture Scout Unit from abroad with similar interests. Groups as we know them do not exist in some countries and it is often better to link leaders as a starting point and then develop this to a group or section link.

Where can I get more information?

More information including current listing of people/groups requesting links is available here:

UK Groups or individuals wanting to be added to these lists, or who wish to enquire about one or more of the links in overseas list should use the following forms:

Keywords: international links scheme, uk groups, uk members, overseas members, international friends, link, group, penpal, email, international, partnership award

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