56 young Scouts from across the Isle of Wight are preparing for a week-long expedition to Coburg in Germany during the October 2026 half term.
The group, aged between 10 and 14, will leave the Island on Saturday 17th October before flying from Heathrow early on Sunday 18th October.
They are due to return from Coburg in the early hours of Sunday 25th October.
The County-wide expedition is the first of its kind for Island Scouting, with the Isle of Wight having been twinned with Coburg for many years.
Expedition leader Samantha Sharp has said:
“We are really pleased with the response from Island Scouts to this expedition.
“Developing ties with the Island’s twin in Germany is an exciting step for Island Scouting. When we completed the reconnaissance trip in October 2025, we found the Scouts and Coburg city officials and organisations to be very welcoming, and I am sure the 56 Island Scouts going on this trip will not only have an amazing time but will learn and develop from being part of this unique opportunity.”
The Scouts are from groups across the Isle of Wight, including Bembridge, Brighstone, East Cowes, Godshill and Rookley, Newport, Northwood, Ryde and Binstead, Sandown and Lake, Shanklin, Wootton, Yarmouth, Cowes and Ventnor.
They met together for the first time on Sunday 19th April at Carisbrooke CE Primary School for their opening training session.
A total of 12 adult volunteers will also be giving up a week of their time to support the young people.
The expedition costs £725 per young person, covering travel, accommodation, food and activities. The Scouts are fundraising to help offset the costs and are welcoming support from Islanders and Island organisations.
While in Coburg, the Scouts will stay at Callenburg Scout Centre, run by Pfadfinder Forderer Stiftung.
Their programme includes meeting local German Scouts, a guided tour of Coburg, visits to Goldbergsee, Rosenau Palace – Prince Albert’s birthplace – Funtasy World, Veste Coburg and Ehrenburg Palace.
They will also go swimming and take part in a German cooking workshop.
During their first training day, the contingent had German tuition, designed a badge, looked at fundraising ideas and discussed the behavioural rules they would set for themselves.
Future training will include learning more about Prince Albert, German culture and language, and moving as a group on mass transit.
Peter Jackson, Chair of the Isle of Wight German Twinning Association, helped with German language tuition on Sunday 19th April.
Peter has said:
“The Isle of Wight is very fortunate in our long-standing special friendship with a lively, modern city that has such significance for British and European history, Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and our own Osborne House.
“We were very impressed with the enthusiasm and energy of the scouts and the dedication of their leaders.
“We are sure this project will be a valuable experience for these young people and suggests that Island twinning with Coburg will provide continuing potential for the future.”
Anyone who can assist Island Scouts with the expedition or fundraising, including making a donation or sponsoring an item of kit, can email [email protected].
Scouting is the largest voluntary sector provider of activities for young people on the Isle of Wight, but relies on adult volunteers.
Uniformed and non-uniformed volunteer roles are available in Scout Groups and Units across the Island, with enquiries welcomed via www.volunteeringopportunities.scouts.org.uk or the Isle of Wight Scouts Facebook page @IsleofWightScouts.
