Scout volunteer Gemma Mears is participating in her first World Scout Moot, a gathering of thousands of young scouts in Portugal

The official Moot opening ceremony in Lisbon, Inset: Gemma Mears, Credit: Scouts UK

A Walthamstow civil servant is currently among 9,000 scouts from across the world taking part in a four-day expedition through the most remote parts of Portugal.

Scout volunteer Gemma Mears is participating in her first World Scout Moot, a gathering of thousands of young scouts aged between 18 and 25 years old.

After the expedition, groups will reconvene with the other participants to have the remaining days filled with Scouting activities, international cultural learning and skill development at a camp base in Ovar, Portugal, before the closing celebration.

Gemma said: ‘’I’m so excited to be part of the Moot! I’ll be working in the onsite shop, which is such a great spot to meet loads of Scouts from all over the world. I’ll get the chance to chat with participants, hear their stories, and learn about so many different cultures! It’s such a unique way to be involved, and I honestly can’t wait to get started.’’

This year’s theme of World Scout Moot is ‘engage’. The event encourages Scouts to connect with others and their community through cross-cultural exchange, understanding, and friendship. According to Scouts UK, World Scout Moot gives participants the “internal drive to positively impact the world around them”.

Chief Scout, Dwayne Fields wished Gemma well prior to their departure by saying: “A massive good luck to Gemma and all the UK Scouts who are at the World Scout Moot. This is an amazing opportunity to discover yourself and the world around us, while exploring how you can create meaningful change.

“The true international spirit of Scouting will shine through, with so many chances to learn from other Scouts around the world. I know each UK Scout attending will grab the opportunity to create memories, friendships and skills to last a lifetime. We know that too many young people today grow up unhappy and worried about their future. Scouts aims to change that. We give young people a chance to belong and a place to be themselves.’’

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.