Our latest international adventure started soon after 2:00 am on Saturday 20th July.
50 young people accompanied by 10 Leaders travelled by coach and ferry to our destination, which was the De Kluis Hopper Scout Site, close to the town of Leuven in Belgium arriving late afternoon.
The remainder of the day was spent settling into our accommodation, eating a wonderful 3-course evening meal and playing BINGO before retiring to bed after a very long day.
On the Sunday we headed into Leaven to the Sportoase Philipssite (Sport Centre) where everyone had the opportunity to make use of the swimming pool and the pool slides.
Following we split into two groups. One half was to explore the town of Leuven (with an ice cream being the priority) and the other half to visit the Scouts en Gidsen (Scouts and Guide) Museum.
At the end of the museum tour, the Group Lead Volunteer Andrew, presented one of the museum volunteers with one of our international neckerchiefs.
We rounded off the afternoon at Bowling Leuven before returning to site.
The treetops of Aventure Parc Wavre was the challenge for the young people on the Monday. The various walkways and zip-wires between the trees provided upwards of 3-hours of entertainment for everyone.
That evening there was an opportunity for some of our Members to play football with Scouters who were on-site from Scout Groups in Belgium.
We left the campsite at 4:30 am on the Tuesday heading to Disneyland Paris.
After a full day of adventure, we headed to the shops and then gathered as close as possible to Cinderella’s castle for the Disney Illuminations nighttime spectacular.
We were back on the coach soon after midnight arriving back at De Kluis at around 6:00 am.
Following a lie-in and a late breakfast / lunch on the Wednesday, the afternoon was spent undertaking the on-site orienteering course and BMX biking in the forest area around the De Kluis campsite.
Thursday was our cultural day with our first visit being to Sanctuary Wood / Hill 62. This saw the young people studying photos and memorabilia from the first World War conflict in the area and the exploring examples of trenches that remained.
We then travelled to the Tyne Cot Cemetery, Memorial & Visitors Centre where the gravestones of 11,953 burials could be seen.
Travelling into Ypres we visited the Leonidas Chocolate Shop and then ate tea in the nearby Hotel New Regina.
We then rounded off our cultural day by visiting the Menin Gate Memorial. Here Andrew supported by Charlie and Nell we were able to take up the opportunity to lay a wreath at the Last Post Ceremony.
We returned to site that evening around 11:00 pm enlightened by what we had seen and learnt that day.
Friday was our last day of adventure which started with Soft Tomahawk and Archery and a tactical game Kubb onsite in the morning.
In the afternoon we headed to the Aqualibi Water Park where up to 3-hours was spent enjoying the water slides.
Following tea, it was time to pack up ready for our early Saturday morning departure arriving back in Rossendale at 11:30 pm.
We hope that everyone enjoyed the trip and that there will be lasting memories for all involved.
