Help Charlotte go on a Norwegian Scouting Adventure!

Hi, I'm Charlotte. I am 14 and I am an Explorer Scout.

I am fundraising for my trip to Gjøvik (a town located by Lake Mjøsa, north of Oslo), Norway this July where an International Scouting Jamboree is being held. This is a gathering of Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Guides, Rovers and Rangers where we will learn about the Norwegian culture, try new foods, make new friends and camp together. I am going with about 30 other Explorer Scouts and Scouts from across Argyll and Bute, and we will be representing Scotland. There are over 10,000 scouts going from all over the world who we will meet with.

Our group will be hosted by a traditional Norwegian Scout pack who we will camp and cook food with. During the week we will partake in a number of hikes including one where we then spend the night in the Norwegian wilderness. Other activities will include swimming, campfires, hiking and meeting new people.

When the week-long camp finishes, we will travel back to Oslo and then spend two nights staying in a hostel and then exploring the city’s food and culture.

To be chosen for this rare opportunity I had to attend a selection day where we undertook a variety of different activities to demonstrate our team-building skills, resourcefulness, readiness, creative thinking and preparation.

Over the last few months, I have started my Bronze Duke of Edinburgh expedition training (learning about orienteering, map reading and camping skills), this will lead quite nicely into my trip to Norway. We will also have two training camps with the group of scouts going to Norway where we will learn more about the trip and be assessed on our hiking levels.

If, two years ago you had told me in 2025 I would be planning to go to Norway, I wouldn’t have believed you. Despite travelling around Europe in a motorhome, I was very much an indoor person and liked the comfort of my warm home. However, I am now jumping at this amazing opportunity. I absolutely love the outdoors and since moving to Scotland, living more remotely, I have found more opportunities to enjoy being outdoors - hiking, cycling, walking, kayaking and running. This has inspired me to do more things like this and to want to go on this trip. There are still some things which make me nervous about going on this trip, like being away from my family for nine days and possibly not enjoying the food and activities when I’m there. But that’s all part of the experience and I'm sure I will enjoy it anyway.

Coming home from the trip I hope to have met lots of new people, made some new friends, gained more confidence when being outside, experienced Norwegian food and culture and most importantly had lots of fun!

I need to raise £1,200 for this amazing trip, which will cover flights to Oslo, train travel across Norway, camping costs, hostel stay, food and kit. I am also planning to do some fundraising with others in my scout pack that are going on the trip.

My deadlines are.

I have paid £320 on the 28th February 2025

I need to pay a further £250 by 31st March 2025

I need to pay a further £250 by 31st May 2025

And have the remaining £400 by 30th June 2025

So, please will you help me to achieve my goal and have this incredible opportunity in Norway! Thank you :)