Scouts NI Join 7,500 Scouts at the Moot

Four Scouts from NI joined over 7,500 young people from across the globe this summer at the 16th World Scout Moot in Portugal, an international event for Scouts aged 18-26 that celebrates cultural exchange, skill building, and global friendship.

Representing Scouts NI were:

• Sasha Barrett-Ferris – East Belfast (Participant)
• Megan Hunter – North Down (Participant)
• Charlie Niblock-Hamill – North Down (Participant)
• Aaron Coates – Slemish (International Service Team)

The Moot began with a grand opening ceremony in Lisbon before participants set off on their “Path” experiences – five days in smaller, international groups immersed in local culture, activities, and camping.

Path Highlights:

“Up against the backdrop of the blue mountains of Vez Valley, Path 79 had an unforgettable time doing high ropes, swimming in lagoons, kayaking, hiking, wine tasting, dancing and sharing in each others’ cultures. I had a very memorable 23rd birthday making scouting friends for life!” – Sasha

“Just outside Vila do Conde, Troop 1408 Árvore welcomed us warmly into their local hall. We had a fantastic time exploring the area, with visits to the beach, the aquarium, and, of course, bakeries for some delicious pastel de nata. The local council even organised a folk festival to showcase the town’s amazing community spirit — and before we knew it, we were up on stage joining in the dancing!” – Megan

“I was a part of Path 34 exploring the awesome city of Braga. The moot was a wonderful experience and has helped develop skills in communication without a common language (mostly Uno).” – Charlie

“I was the Path Advisor for Path 13 and we were lucky to explore the historic village of Piódão. We saw the sights, hiked the trails, cooled down in the river pools and immersed in each other’s cultures with songs and dance from around the world!” – Aaron

After the Paths, everyone came together at the Main Camp near Ovar for a Jamboree-style experience. Activities included cultural showcases, badge swaps, workshops, water activities, silent discos, and opportunities to explore nearby cities. The Moot ended with a day in Porto and an emotional closing ceremony.

Route to the Moot – Preparing for Portugal

Both Sasha and Aaron took part in Route to the Moot – a challenge designed to build excitement for the event, promote Scouting, and inspire others to take part in future international opportunities.

Sasha’s Challenge:

“Route to the Moot is a great way to intentionally challenge yourself and generate excitement as we draw closer to the Moot itself. It’s also a way to shout about Scouting and encourage others to attend international events.” – Sasha

Sasha hosted an International Evening for her group, sharing her experiences from four previous international camps in Ireland, Norway, North America, and England. She brought along her WSJ 2024 scrapbook, showed highlight videos, and ran quizzes about the global Scouting family.

To explore Portuguese culture, Sasha learned common phrases through Duolingo and tried traditional cuisine. She also took on personal challenges – learning to sail, working as an Outdoor Activity Instructor, and taking part in local beach cleans in Northern Ireland. Together with her group, they collected 270 kg of litter from Belfast Harbour, Kilkeel Harbour, Ballywalter South Beach, and Newtownabbey Bay, contributing to environmental protection at home while learning about marine conservation efforts in Portugal.

Aaron’s Challenge:

“I decided to take part in Route to the Moot as I wanted to build excitement and make a difference on this journey. I believe it’s very important to make younger sections aware about what international opportunities are available to them when they’re old enough.” – Aaron

Aaron ran activities for Scouts and Explorers including painting azulejos, making origami mascots, learning Portuguese phrases, and sampling pastel de nata. With his Beavers, he played traditional Portuguese games and introduced them to Scouting in Portugal.

With the support of his local council, Aaron also planted 360 native tree saplings at the ECOS Centre in Ballymena – each expected to remove up to 1kg of CO₂ per year, helping offset his travel emissions.

Looking Ahead – Taiwan 2029

The next World Scout Moot will take place in Taiwan in 2029.

• Participants: Aged 18-26 in July 2029
• International Service Team: Aged 26+

For Scouts NI members looking for an international adventure that builds skills for life, it’s never too early to start planning.

Story submitted by Sasha Barrett-Ferris