Fourteen young people from Humberside County Scouts, with the support of four adult volunteers, will embark on a challenging international journey to Vietnam this summer. The group, aged 16 to 25, will take on the Explorer Belt, a unique award that promotes personal growth, resilience, and cultural engagement.
Humberside County Scouts, which covers East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, is proud to have a diverse group of members from various scout groups across the county participating in this expedition. The Explorer Belt will see the three youth teams travel over 1,000 miles from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, navigating through bustling cities, remote landscapes, and diverse communities. This demanding journey will require the group to rely on their planning, teamwork, and problem-solving skills as they complete cultural projects, manage their budget, and immerse themselves in Vietnamese life.
The team has been preparing for this expedition for months, taking part in local training camps to get a taste of Vietnamese culture. They have tried local cuisine, learned basic phrases, and gained an understanding of the country’s customs. These experiences have helped the group develop the practical skills and mindset needed for success in such a challenging environment.
To prepare for navigating metropolitan areas, the team also participated in the London Monopoly Run, a high-intensity challenge where Scouts raced across the capital using public transport, preparing them for the fast-paced travel they will encounter in Vietnam’s major cities.
Simon Price, one of the expedition’s volunteer leaders, expressed his excitement for the trip, saying, “The Explorer Belt isn’t just about travel – it’s about discovery. These young people will be pushed out of their comfort zones, but they’ll return with new skills, wider perspectives, and stories that will last a lifetime. They’re brilliant ambassadors for Scouting in Humberside.”
The Vietnam Explorer Belt 2025 expedition is a shining example of what Scouting is all about – adventure, challenge, and bringing the world closer together through shared experiences and friendship.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.