Ellis and Martin represent UK at international Scout event in Portugal
Ellis Verde Mayo, a Student from Walsall and Martin Parton, an IT professional from Wolverhampton are both currently with nearly 500 UK Scouts on a once-in-a-lifetime international adventure, known as World Scout Moot, in Portugal. While their event is the same, their roles within it differ hugely. Ellis is there as a participant while Martin is volunteering to ensure the event runs smoothly.
9,000 Scouts from across the world, aged between 18 and 25 years old, are gathered in Portugal for the 16th World Scout Moot. The adventure began in Tejo Park in Lisbon on 25th July and will finish in Porto. Throughout the jam-packed event, Ellis is immersing herself in Portuguese communities and culture. The international Scouting event includes a 4-day expedition, during which, participants group with Scouts from other countries and take one of 100 routes through remote parts of Portugal.
After the expedition, Ellis’ group reconvenes 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, before the closing celebration and heading back home.
Full of anticipation as she got ready to leave for the adventure, Ellis Mayo Verde, 18 from Walsall, said: “This is my first time at a World Scout event. I have never worked together in a team before where English is not the native language, so that’s going to be a fun challenge, but I’m looking forward to giving it a go and learning loads along the way. I’m keen to meet Scouts from Argentina, Brazil and Mexico and find out more about their lives.”
Martin Parton, 58, an IT professional from Wolverhampton is a Scout volunteer. Volunteering has brought Martin many opportunities, but being able to be part of this international adventure and provide a chance for the young adults of Scouting to take part in this unique experience has them filled with excitement.
With the final preparations complete Martin said: “I am excited to take part in this Moot – I have a role in the Staff Hub which means I will be able to chat to thousands of Scouts from across the world and learn about their different cultures. I can’t wait.”
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. World Scout Moot not only gives participants their own unique experiences, but the opportunity to embed the skills and internal drive to positively impact the world around them. Opportunities like this continue to be created thanks to the support of the players of People's Postcode Lottery.
Chief Scout, Dwayne Fields wished Ellis and Martin well prior to their departure by saying: “A massive good luck to Martin, Ellis 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.
