A GROUP of 23 lucky scouts from North Cornwall went on the trip of a lifetime recently as they travelled to the Swiss Alps.

At the start of August, members of Porth‑Emmet Explorer Scouts travelled to the continent for ten days of exploring and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Aged between 14 and 18 years old, the Scouts from Bude and Launceston drove from Bude to Dover before travelling to Calais, Dunkirk and finally Kandersteg in Switzerland.

Originally planned for 2023 but halted by COVID travel restrictions, the trip took five years to organise. However, the delay did mean that there were plenty of exciting activities able to be planned.

During their travels, members enjoyed gondola rides to Lake Oeschiensee for tobogganing, wild swimming and boating; high rope activities at Frugiresort; a cable car ride to hike to the Gemmi Pass where they went wild swimming in Lake Daubensee; Trotti biking in Adelboden; a hike to Gfellalp Mountain Hut for an overnight stay; and mountain tubing on the Olympic ski long jump.

Those looking for slightly more chill activities, travellers also enjoyed an international evening in which they displayed Cornish food and items from Cornwall Scouting. The event also saw an international campfire with Scouts from around the world, with some even coming from as far afield as Japan and New Zealand. Scouts got the opportunity to mingle with the international crowd making friends from across the globe.

Of course, on top of this, it wouldn’t be a holiday without trying some local cuisine.

Dan Haylock, one of the leaders at Porth Emmet, Bude Explorer Scout Unit, said: “For most of the explorers this was the first time in a large scale mountain environment, a huge difference from the scenery they are used to when walking on Dartmoor, with fast flowing glacial rivers, sheer towering cliffs, views of glaciers and snowy peaks over 3,000 metres.”

However the experience didn’t come without its share of hard work, the explorers organised, planned and held a number of fundraising events to raise funds for catering and activities while away.

Some of the fundraisers included: fire wood logging for local delivery; car washes for locals; bingo nights for parents and friends; and one member, Toby, even made bird boxes raising £165 on his own.

In total nearly £20,000 was raised for the trip.

Dan continued: “The young people did not take mobile phones or electronic devices. During the trip, they worked together as a team and made many new friends from other countries.”

On top of this, with so many physical activities, Dan says that the travellers ‘pushed themselves mentally and physically’ during the trip, leading them to some incredible experiences.

Following the trip parents, supporters and the local community have been treated to a special presentation giving a behind the scenes look into the occasion.

Dan concluded: “Some of the explorers are now inspired to apply for a place on the 2027 International Scout Jamboree in Poland.”