An overseas Scouting adventure for Odiham Scout District’s Endurance Explorers, Typhoon Air Scout Troop, Meteor Scout Troop, and other Odiham District Explorer Scouts

Check out the Nordic 25 Gallery for photos from this amazing adventure!
This is a small snapshot of the 6,000+ photos and videos taken on the trip by the participants

What is it

After the success of Hampshire Scouts’ Suisse Adventure ‘22 [1] [2] [3], the excitement of Hampshire Scouts Marvellous European Road Trip (Project 23), and the challenges of the World Scout Jamboree ‘23 in South Korea, the Explorer Scouts in Endurance Explorers asked if they could have a smaller scale overseas camp.
It was decided to invite the older Scouts at 100th Elvetham Heath as they would either be in Explorers in summer 2025, or be very close.

The result, Nordic ‘25. Two years to plan an exciting and adventurous summer camp in Iceland for an unforgettable experience.
Being the first overseas camp planned by current Endurance or 100th Elvetham Heath leaders, we opted to use Venture Abroad to manage the trip logistics – a travel agency specialising in Scout and Guiding trips all over the world.
We are also drawing on experience from our District and County Scouting teams, and we have leaders who were on or involved with Suisse Adventure ’22 and Project 23 as part of our contingent!

Who is going

Taking part in this incredible adventure there will be…

26 Scouts and Explorers (aged between 13 and 17)
2 young adults (started in Explorer Scouts but aged out into a Leader role by the time of the camp)
9 Leaders (from several local Scouting sections and roles)

Everyone is involved in local Scouting, with the majority of Scouts/Explorers from 100th Elvetham Heath Scout Troops (Meteor Scouts and Typhoon Air Scouts), and Odiham’s Endurance Explorer Scout Unit.

Spare spaces for the trip have been offered to other Odiham District based Scouts and Explorers, with several very happy to accept a spot.

Preparation

To get ready for the camp we:

• Made sure even the youngest Scouts had been on one, preferably two summer camps
• Ran 3 training-weekend camps so all the Scouts, Explorers, and Leaders could get to know each other better
  This included
  • Team building games and activities
  • Hikes (as there are a few long walks/hikes planned)
  • Experiencing completely new campsites
• Emergency Aid Stage 5 activity badge, via St John Ambulance in Farnborough
• Several leaders also completed a youth mental health first aid course, and attended a neurodiversity-in-Scouting course

Where is it

We will be camping at the Úlfljótsvatn Scout and Adventure Centre, which has been the home for Icelandic Scouts for over 80 years.
It is now set up as a fully recognised international Scout campsite, and has hosted many Jamboree and Moot type Scouting events.
Located in the south west of Iceland, Úlfljótsvatn sits in a privileged environment full of outdoor opportunities, natural beauty and unlimited wonder (and suitably far away from the current volcanic activity at the Reykjanes peninsula)

(Red = Campsite; Purple = Main Offsite Activities; Yellow = Optional Activities)

When is it

We’re planning to set off on the 2nd August 2025 for a 10 day trip, and arrive back in the UK on the 11th August 2025

What are we doing there

We have a set of core activities booked, and with a few days of ‘down time’ to relax and enjoy the local area there will be options to expand on this list!

Scouts/Explorers not joining on those will be enjoying the more local campsite activities including an obstacle course, water safari, various campsite games (GaGa ball, Frisbee golf etc.), local hikes etc., along with finding any local Scouters on site!

Check out the Nordic 25 Gallery for photos from this amazing adventure!

Our  itinerary

(A few days have split activities, with groups of Scouts/Explorers doing different activities)

How much is it

The big question…

The cost to each participant, Scout, Explorer, or Leader, is £1,750 (which with 37 people going leads to a base trip cost of £64,750!). This covers our flights, insurance, the camping, food, the core activities listed above, and the UK international neckers/trip badges/hoodie etc.

The optional activities and any additional hoodies/t-shirts cost extra, with a grand total for the trip of £75,000

Since January 2024 we have run, taken part in, or have signed up for 40 group level fundraising events to help with the costs – this is a staggering amount predominantly done by our Scouts and Explorers, and does not include any personal fundraising they have done as well.
Including some generous donations from Fleet Lions and Hart Lions a whopping £13,800 was raised towards the trip – almost 20% of the final cost!

Please see the Thank-Yous page for the donations and fundraising opportunities as our Scouts/Explorers are extremely grateful for the aid!