From Scotland to Germany: Barry’s International Scouting Adventure

This summer, Barry Hughes, Group Lead Volunteer at 1st Raploch Scout Group, decided to do something a little different in Scouting. He joined the International Service Team (IST) at the VCP (Verband Christlicher Pfadfinder/innen) Bundeslager in Almke, Germany.

Here, Barry shares what turned out to be a fantastic international Scouting experience:

Sometimes the best Scouting adventures are the ones that take you somewhere completely new.

This summer I decided to do something in Scouting which was a bit different – I signed up as a member of the International Service Team (IST) at the VCP Bundeslager jamboree in Almke, Germany (near Wolfsburg).

VCP is one of the main German Scout associations, and their Bundeslager (federal camp) is held every 4 years and attended by around 5,500 Scouts, mostly from Germany but with international representation from around 20 countries.

This was the first time they have welcomed an IST to their flagship event; I was the sole representative of Scotland and there were other IST from Canada, France, Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Czechia, Uganda, Ghana, Nepal and Hong Kong.

A different kind of jamboree

German Scouting differs from UK Scouting in various ways – not least in events such as the Bula (as the Bundeslager was affectionately known) being somewhat more informal than many UK jamborees.

The 13 day event saw us camping in iconic German black Scouting yurts – some of which even have a hole in the roof so a camp fire can be lit.

However, the 30 degree-plus temperatures meant that you spent as little time in the tent as possible during the day. I was fortunate to share a yurt with Scouts from Africa – at night time when I was still feeling the heat, they were complaining of the cold!

Life as an International Service Team member

As a member of IST you are asked to do many and varied jobs – this ranged from car park duty to open air swimming pool duty (a popular one!), helping to erect the yurts and generally running activities for the young people.

Fortunately I speak German, which was a distinct advantage – albeit most young folk in Germany speak excellent English.

I certainly found that wearing the kilt at occasions such as the opening and closing ceremonies was something which the Germans loved (their word for kilt is Schottenrock – literally “Scottish skirt”).

Scottish neckies and badges were also in great demand and ‘swap’ items.

IST were also treated to a day out, climbing the iconic German mountain The Brocken – a wonderful day.

I was invited to speak at both the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as carrying the Saltire, which was a great honour.

Even a bit of stormy weather!

The only downside was when we were hit by a storm one night and several tents were brought down – however I am quite used to that, having experienced the same at World Scout Jamboree in 2023 and Auchengillan in 2025.

An experience I’d definitely recommend

I’ll certainly be looking to attend more German Scouting events, including the Bula again, and maybe welcome one of their Groups as our guests to Stirling – and I’d certainly recommend IST at an overseas jamboree as a different, and hugely enjoyable, experience.

For me, it was a fantastic opportunity to experience Scouting in a different country, meet Scouts and volunteers from around the world and, of course, share a little bit of Scotland along the way.”

Want to take your Scouting international?

Barry’s experience is just one of the many opportunities available through international Scouting.

If you’re a Scouts Scotland volunteer and fancy trying something a little different, why not find out more about the opportunities to get involved with Scouting overseas?

Find out more about international opportunities with Scouts Scotland

Or get in touch with Steven Maclennan, our Lead Volunteer for International, at steven.maclennan@scouts.scot.