INTERNATIONAL LINKS
What about linking up with Scouts in a foreign Country 
It’s an option for all Sections in the movement, even the BEAVERS!
 
International Links are a very important part of the international process; there are some that will think that having an international link is scary. On the contrary it can be a most rewarding exercise which can generate so much new information, friendships and extended means of travelling abroad. Your link could be short term for instance a project ……… or as part of a life long friendship.
 
Your link could simply be providing you with local information for an up and coming expedition. They might even be your hosts at an international camp or guests at an event in the UK.
       You might simply contact them as a means “getting to know you exercise” for instance a Pen–Pal or unit link like a Beaver colony or Cub pack talking to another colony / pack in another country as part of the international programme / awards.
 
       There are many ways in communicating with your link: talking, email, phone, letters, video links to name but a few…….
       So how can you find a link :-
 
(1)          Talk to people who have been abroad or in the past had international visitors as hosts or guests and ask if they are aware if they know of anyone else who might like to become an international link.
 
(2)          Talk to Friends, Work Colleagues, who live and work abroad, they may have or could find links to the local Scout Group …..
 
(3)          Visit international events and talk to the visitors , you might find a that they are aware of friends and fellow colleagues who want a link
 
(4)          Why not check out the LINKS PAGE on Scoutbase http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/ps/inter/programme/links/index.htm  to find out about the many opportunities available to apply for a link.
 
(5)          There is also a fact sheet FS260002 
 http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs260002.pdf which also provides you with the forms to apply for a link both as an individual and Section.
 
(6)          PEN-PALS – Some young people simply want to talk to another scout. This is also covered by reading and completing FS260002 http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs260002.pdf  Out of this there could be a bigger Group Link ….
 
(7)          Twinning Many Towns and Villages operate very successful twinning partnerships whereby groups in the locality meet to exchange ideas and friendship ….. So WHY NOT SCOUTS! http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/ps/inter/going/exchanges/programme/index.htm 
 
(8)          Scout International Youth Exchange Programme: - There is an Opputunity to go abroad and experience life in a different country. Whereby you do not only your Scouting but education , social in fact everything for  a period of time for details  http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/ps/inter/going/exchanges/programme/index.htm
 
We have in the past sent young people on this programme to Australia. To read about the experiences of one of our own participants CLICK HERE (link to documents “youth exchange 1 , 2 , 3) 
 
(9)          Radio and Computer!! There are some events which actively encourage talking to other Scouts in the World. They are JAMBOREE ON THE AIR (JOTA) http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/ps/inter/programme/events/jota/index.htm and JAMBOREE ON THE INTERNET (JOTI) http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/ps/inter/programme/events/joti/ or http://www.joti.org both events happen in OCTOBER  but well worth hunting out your local Radio Team or registering on  the computer

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