Natasha's Explorer Belt - Vietnam 2025

Hi, I’m Natasha, a 16 year old Scout from Beverley, who has been selected to be part of the Humberside Scout County Explorer Belt expedition to Vietnam in the summer of 2025.

I have been in Scouting since the age of 6, first of all as a Beaver, Cub and Scout at 1st Molescroft Scout Group and now as an Explorer in the Beverley Westwood unit. I’m also a Young Leader, helping with the Cubs at 5th Beverley (Wesley) Scout Group.

The Explorer Belt is a challenge of a lifetime. It is a chance to take part in a ten day expedition that brings a real understanding of a different country, its culture and way of life. Over the ten days, there must be a minimum of 50 hours of travelling time by a variety of means - on foot, by bicycle, using public transport, on horseback, by canoe or by boat. The aims of the Scout Association Explorer Belt are to show competence in navigation, expedition cooking, lightweight camping, fitness, travelling in a foreign country by various means, team building and first aid.

It’s a team challenge, and there are three teams from Humberside Scouts taking part in this expedition to Vietnam. I will be a member of one of the teams along with 5 others from this area aged 16 and 17 years of age at the time of the event.

As we travel over 1,000 miles from Ho Chi Minh city in the south of Vietnam to Hanoi in the north, we will be completing ten minor projects during the expedition and one major project. We must agree and set a budget for the expedition, record all income and expenditure and produce final accounts at the end. We must also keep a log book as individuals to record places visited, project work undertaken, personal thoughts and community work we carry out.

This international experience is like no other – it is so much more than just a holiday, as it provides an opportunity for young people like me to develop skills for life in planning, independence, fundraising, motivating others, empathy, teamwork, travelling and being active global citizens.

My first challenge however is to raise the £3000 it will cost me to take part in the expedition. This amount will cover my travel, accommodation, food, kit and insurance while we are away, as well as the cost of the practice and preparation weekends we have planned over the next 16 months before the event.

I am planning lots of fundraising activities and also plan to save money from my two part time jobs. I’d be very grateful for any donation you are able to make to help me reach my target.

Thank you.