Welcome to the International pages of the CATVOG website. If you are looking for information and support on International events abroad or at home you have come to the right place. Also, if you are looking for support in the International content of your programme look no further!

International Scouting is not just about going abroad, it is also about getting the International dimension in to your programme. CATVOG is currently improving the International opportunities available to young people in the area, so be sure to look at the events box to see what’s on offer.

Are you a Scout from another country reading this? If so, and you are looking to make contact with a group please contact myself (Ruth Shorter).

Harold Meredith Travel Fund

Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan Scouts established the Harold Meredith Travel Fund with a bequest from Harold Meredith, a long time supporter of Scouting. The travel fund aims to promote international awareness, understanding, friendship and individual development by supporting international Scout activities.

Grants are available to members of the Scout Association in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan who wish to be involved in some appropriate international experience that meets the aim of the travel fund . Examples of suitable ventures may include Explorer Belt expeditions, Operation Raleigh, youth exchanges, group international camps or expeditions, jamborees, or assistance for staff members at international Scout centres such as Kandersteg.

Priority is given to activities that closely match the aim of the fund, and to groups or individuals who have not previously benefited from the fund. Applications are always considered on their own merit but grants to individuals are normally between £50 and £100 and depend in part on the total number of applications received.

Applications are normally considered twice a year and should be received by the end of January or the end of June. One of the conditions of receiving a grant from the Harold Meredith fund is to create a report of your experiences upon your return to the UK.

Download Application Form
Download Report Guidelines

Penpals

Are you a leader looking to make link with a group or section abroad? Did you know there is a scheme to help you make a link? The Scout Association is part of the world links scheme which aims to try and connect groups looking for other groups. It works by groups looking for a link lodge a request with their association who then forwards this to the host association for them to try and find a suitable linking group.

Also, you can look at the list of groups which want to link with the UK and link with these. For more information click here

Other ways of establishing a pen pal style relationship could be:

• Through your church or other religious establishment
• Town twinning
• Friends and family may have contacts
• Meeting groups from abroad on camps

Please note that most countries do not have sections covering the 6 to 8 years age range.

Event Links

• International Opportunities Abroad
• International Jamborees in the UK

Ruth Shorter
I was born into a Scouting family and went on my first Scout camp at the age of 18 months old! I was a Brownie and Guide but as soon I was old enough I left Guides and joined the 11th Nuneaton Venture Scout Unit. Here I worked my way through the awards and gained my Queen Scout Award in 1994.

After moving to Cardiff for my degree I joined 19th Cardiff as an Assistant Venture Scout Leader where I gained my Wood Badge. When the programme changed I took up the post of Explorer Scout Leader with the Red Dragon Unit in Rumney which I have thoroughly enjoyed.

Over the years in Scouting I have been on many International camps as a participant and as a Leader. This has included trips to Canada, the World Scout Jamboree in Thailand and most recently the Explore Serbia Explorer Belt Expedition.

I am looking forward to the challenges that this role will undoubtedly bring and have many plans to increase the profile of the International section of the programme. If you think that I can help you with anything relating to International (this is not just trips abroad) please email me.