By Sarah Chester-Brown, SCOUTS SA Chair International Committee
Howling Hound Photography
In Scouting, growth doesn’t happen in isolation, it happens through connection. The friendships formed at weekly meetings, on muddy campsites, and across continents are more than just memorable moments; they are powerful spaces where both young people and adult volunteers develop essential life skills. From communication and cultural understanding to leadership, empathy, and collaboration, these shared experiences shape individuals in ways that last far beyond their time in uniform. It is through these relationships, grounded in common values, that Scouting continues to grow confident, capable, and compassionate citizens who contribute meaningfully to their communities and the world. SCOUTS South Africa’s International Committee Chair Sarah Chester-Browne reflects on the value of international Scouting friendships for personal growth.
At our weekly meetings and more especially on camps, we as Scouts, Cubs, Meerkats, and Adult Volunteers, create firm friendships. These friendships are unique in that, as much as our experiences bind us, our Scouting values are what keep those friendships strong. Scout values are shared by every single member of the global Scouting community. These values are what make meeting a Scout from another country, another continent, who may not even speak our language, just like meeting your Scout buddy at your weekly meeting!
Anyone who has been on an international camp – a World Scout Jamboree, or who has spent time at Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC) in Switzerland or at one of the Adventure Camps in the UK or the USA, will attest to having made excellent friendships that span both distance and time.
Howling Hound Photography
Our Chair: National Scout Programme, Theo Rijs, has had the privilege of representing SCOUTS South Africa at several international Scouting events – including the Philmont Scout Ranch (USA), World Scout Jamborees in Canada, England, Sweden and Japan, and serving on summer staff at the Kandersteg International Scout Centre (Switzerland). He is still good friends with his Scout ‘tent buddy’ from Philmont some 47 years ago, and every five years he returns to Kandersteg for a KISC staff reunion, where his international ‘KISC family’ of 42 years standing gathers from all corners of the world. Theo says, “Some of the best life-long friendships I’ve ever made started at international Scouting events – and the amazing thing is, they’ve lasted long after the camps ended. There’s something about sharing those experiences with people from all over the world that just sticks – years later, those connections are still strong.”
What makes global Scouting friendships particularly special is that our common values support the huge range of cultural diversity. ‘A Scout is a friend to all and a brother or sister to all other Scouts is exactly what underpins learning about, and accepting, another Scout’s cultural practices – food, traditions, customs, language, and religion. How extraordinary to have the opportunity to meet Scouts from across the world face-to-face to be able to share and learn, and to forge a friendship that could last a lifetime.
Supplied – 23WSJ Japan
A World Scout Jamboree or a international Rover Moot (for youth 18+) gives you this opportunity – and it’s something truly special! Want to eat Algerian dates? Try your hand at Moroccan drumming or pick up a bit of traditional Swiss yodeling. Learn to write Japanese kanji or some Brazilian Portuguese? And have you ever tried Polish pierogi? Maybe even show the world what a proper braai really is (not a barbeque)! Attending a World Scout Jamboree, with 50 000 young people from every World Scouting member country, is your chance to do this! And more. So, so much more.
There are multiple international Scouting events on the horizon, from the World Scout Jamboree in Poland in 2027, to the 2nd Africa Moot in South Africa in August 2026, and the upcoming Africa Southern Zonal Conference in ESwatini in May 2026.
Attending an international Scout event is an opportunity to experience the world in a week, grow your mind, blow your mind, and come back richer than you’ve ever thought possible. And all in a safe Scouting space. Safe from Harm practices are not just a SCOUTS South Africa thing, it’s a global World Scouting practice. It is reassuring to know that when a attending a World Scouting event, Safe from Harm precautions are in place to keep young people safe. Being part of a contingent leaving SA, flying across the world, spending time in another country and doing the most amazing activities with Scouts from 174 other countries, and knowing that you’re safe, is the opportunity of a lifetime that we’re able to offer our SCOUTS SA members.
Photo Dawn Ledbitter
Just recently, Scouts from all over Africa attended the Africa Scout Day celebrations hosted by SCOUTS SA in the Gauteng region. Donors and partners were invited to witness the fun and were astounded at the scale of Scouting, and the opportunities that Scouting provides for dialogue and peacebuilding. What they perhaps don’t realise is that it is friendship that creates and supports peace.
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