Re: European Trips
Turba, Thomas N (Thomas.Turba@UNISYS.COM)
Wed, 22 Jul 1998 15:04:33 -0400
>
> Date: Fri, 17 Jul 1998 13:16:18 -0500
> From: Robert Losee <rlosee@UNLINFO.UNL.EDU>
> Subject: European Trips (was:Seabase or Other Long Term Plans)
>
> In a few weeks, after the SPL and my son the ASPL go to JLT, and we
> hold new
> troop elections (I'm guessing these two will continue to hold their
> positions)
> we're going to have a weekend planning retreat (as suggested to me by
> Cliff
> Golden-thanks). In that planning session we're going to talk about our
> High
> Adventure plans. Now here in Lincoln we have some girl scouts go to
> Switzerland
> every year so I thought why should they have all the fun. Maybe we
> should go to
> the UK in a couple years to maybe hike or something in Scotland with a
> local
> troop, maybe see Brownsea Island (is there anything to see at the
> first scout
> camp?), maybe visit Gilwell, maybe tour HMS Victory, or who knows
> what. If we
> could connect with a local troop maybe we could start e-mailing each
> other before
> we went.
>
> Anyway I was wondering what we'd need to do to do this. There's a
> National Tour
> Permit, is there and International Tour Permit. Have troops worked
> with tour
> operators to handle the many details of this sort of thing, and if so
> which ones.
> What are other troops experiences and recommendations on trying this.
> All help
> would be appreciated. Thanks.
>
Robert,
Yes, you need to file an international tour permit if you are taking a
trip overseas. This is an easy part of any such trip and is done once
you have things in place.
I have organized many such trips both for our boys going overseas and
for receiving overseas guests here. (As an aside, I would have answered
your message sooner, but it was just this morning that a group of 20
Scouts and leaders from Argentina left here [Minnesota] on their return
trip to Miami and La Plata, Argentina.) We are now planning our trip to
Argentina as is at least one other member of this list who helped host
them in Georgia.
The best way to do a non Jamboree overseas Scout trip is to get
connected with one or more Scouting units in the country you would like
to visit. This is a much more rewarding and eye opening experience for
the boys than staying in hotels/hostels/camp grounds and just touring.
Homestays really let them see what living in another country is like and
experience life the way people there do. It is also a much cheaper and
easier way to travel.
If you really don't care where you go, check out your resources to see
what connections you already have via parents, friends, coworkers, and
other people that have been overseas or correspond with people there.
If you have a contact with someone overseas they can probably connect
you with a Scout unit in their area. You can also establish overseas
contacts via this list. Another group that can often help is the
Rotary.
It normally takes about two years to establish a good contact, do
planning, and have everything arranged. It can be done in a shorter
time, but do not expect miracles to happen. You should also be open to
receiving people here, both in establishing contacts and in
reciprocating. If you attend Jamborees, this is a good way to meet
people from other countries that could develop into a rewarding
experience for your boys.
In general, for overseas trips I arrange everything in concert with
people in the host country. Sometimes I use travel agents and tour
agents. But, I always check things out for myself. I always get at
least three quotes for new trips from different sources. I also ask my
friends and acquaintances what their experiences have been. This is
much better than just letting someone else do everything for you (often
at a price, both in cost and what you really get).
For any overseas trip you should check with the government and other
sources for background information as well as health precautions. For
Europe, this should not be a problem; but, if you go to other areas, it
is very important to do.
I hope you find this information useful and I wish you success in an
overseas trip.
YiS
T. N. T.
Thomas N. (Tom) Turba
International Representative
Indianhead Council, BSA
St. Paul, Minnesota
E-mail: Thomas.Turba@Unisys.Com (primary) -or-
E-mail: turba@rsvl.unisys.com (secondary)
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
