A student from Stratford-upon-Avon College was recently selected to represent the UK at a European Scout Event.
Nathan Barnard, 18 from Warwick, who is studying on a Foundation Learning course at the College, travelled to Norway for Roverway 2024 – a gathering of 5000 scouts from across Europe.
The 550 UK Scouts at the event were supported by over 100 volunteers and joined 5,000 other Scouts from almost every European nation.
The 15-day event, themed ‘North of the Ordinary’, was divided into three parts and started with an expedition across southern Norway for five days, followed by an international camp at Stavanger where Scouts took part in activities before finishing with a ferry trip to visit Copenhagen in Denmark.
The aims of Roverway include promoting intercultural learning and exchange, and to enable meaningful youth leadership opportunities.
Ahead of the event, Chief Scout, Bear Grylls wished Nathan well by saying: “A massive congratulations to Nathan who has been selected to represent the UK at Roverway 2024.
“Roverway is an amazing opportunity to discover yourself and make new friends, whilst participating in a programme that demonstrates true Scouting spirit by developing skills for life.
“I’d just like to say good luck to our brilliant UK Contingent in their preparation for the event.
“They will be heading off on the trip of a lifetime to a beautiful destination in Stavanger.
“The diversity of people they will meet will remind us all about what the world has to offer: they will experience new cultures and make many new friends, becoming ever more tolerant and caring about others through this experience.”
Nathan joined the Scouts at the age of 16. He comments: “I really enjoy being with a group of people who enjoy the same types of activities which I enjoy such as camping, boating, hiking and climbing. I enjoy learning a range of life skills such as teamwork, effective communication and keeping safe which is helpful now and in the future. I also enjoy getting to do things like performing in Wags (Warwickshire Gang Show), being a volunteer helping out in younger scouting groups, and getting to go abroad with my peers for the first time ever with Roverway. I enjoy feeling safe in Scouts because all my leaders are incredibly caring and supportive, which I find inspiring.”
The trip included a whole range of exciting activities including camping, participating in leadership activities, canoeing, watching music, sightseeing and building relationships with people from other countries and cultures.
The Scouts took part in a range of exciting activities, some pictured above. Photos from the Warwickshire Rovers Patrol
Nathan enjoyed the experience for many reasons and would recommend it to others: “My favourite thing was meeting people from other countries, followed by swapping patch badges with other scouts and guides, exploring both Stavanger and Copenhagen, staying overnight on a ferry and playing cultural games at both camps.”
“I would recommend this experience because it is a lot of fun and you get to learn many skills which would help you now and in your future. You get to meet new people who do not live in the UK, cooperating and experiencing lots of outdoor activities together. For some people, this opportunity will only happen once, but the memory of the adventure will last.
I would like to add that I was only able to fully access this trip thanks to the kindness, tolerance, and support of the entire scouting organisation but especially from each member of my patrol.”
The College is incredibly proud of Nathan’s achievement!
