Funding

Partial / Stipend

Program dates

TBA

Volunteering•UK · London

Scout Adventures Residential Volunteering Programme

Scout Adventures (The Scout Association, UK)

Application Deadline

Rolling admission

Official Page

Scout Adventures is the network of national Scout activity centres run by The Scout Association in the UK. Its Residential Volunteering Programme trains volunteers from around the world as outdoor activity instructors who deliver adventurous activities — climbing, kayaking, archery, high ropes and more — to the young people who visit the centres. Volunteers live on-site at one of five centres (Gilwell Park near London, Broadstone Warren in East Sussex, Fordell Firs near Edinburgh, Great Tower in the Lake District, Youlbury near Oxford) alongside a team drawn from over 30 countries. The commitment averages 35 hours per week across 5 days, with evenings and weekends included and up to 18 days off during the placement. Two placements are open for 2026/27: September 2026 to September 2027, and January 2027 to November 2027.

Benefits & funding

  • Shared on-site accommodation (with another volunteer), plus shared living space with TV and broadband.
  • All meals provided, both on work days and days off.
  • Weekly allowance of £45 for international volunteers (£35 for UK volunteers), plus reimbursement of direct costs.
  • Full uniform (3 jackets, 3 t-shirts, 2 pairs of trousers), bedding and laundry facilities.
  • 5-day induction course at Gilwell Park covering instructing skills, first aid, safeguarding and customer service, followed by ongoing activity training and assessment — recognised instructing qualifications.
  • Funded social events at least once a month (e.g. caving, sailing, bowling, theatre trips).
  • Accident insurance while on duty; airport pickup on set arrival days; a full reference letter on request at the end of the placement.
  • Visa sponsorship: a Certificate of Sponsorship is provided for overseas volunteers.
  • Not covered: travel to and from the UK, visa costs (Charity Worker visa ≈ £319; Immigration Health Surcharge ≈ £1,035 if the placement exceeds 6 months; a TB test certificate where the applicant’s country requires it), and insurance for sickness or off-duty accidents. Some nationalities can use the cheaper UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa instead.

Eligibility

  • Open to applicants from the UK, Europe and all over the world; the application form confirms it is open worldwide and includes visa sponsorship.
  • Aged 18 or over — you must be over 18 when you apply for your visa (about 3 months before training starts) — and aged 30 or under at the time the placement begins.
  • Previous experience in scouting and/or working with young people is expected. Current Scout or Guide membership is not required; membership confirmation is only asked of current members.
  • A good standard of English — you must be able to communicate effectively in English.
  • Individual participants only; partners, children or family members cannot be accommodated.
  • Temporary pause (under review as of July 2026): applications are currently not accepted from Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Algeria, Kenya, Pakistan, Rwanda, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iraq, the Palestinian Territories or Ethiopia, due to high application volume.

Can you apply?

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  • Age requirement

    18–30 yrs

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Application process

  1. 1
    Complete the online application form, uploading a letter of recommendation from a non-relative adult (e.g. a scout leader, teacher or employer), membership confirmation from your National Scout/Guide Organisation (only if you are a current Scout or Guide), a photo, and a short 2-minute video introducing yourself.
  2. 2
    After review, attend a 15–20 minute online interview.
  3. 3
    If successful, arrange your visa — Scout Adventures provides a Certificate of Sponsorship for the Charity Worker visa; some nationalities may qualify for the Youth Mobility Scheme.
  4. 4
    Travel to the UK at your own cost; Scout Adventures collects you from the airport, train or bus station on set arrival days.
  5. 5
    Complete the 5-day initial training at Gilwell Park, then move to your allocated centre for activity-specific training and your placement.

Program timeline

  1. Now

    Applications open for both 2026/27 placements.

  2. 8 weeks before each start date

    Applications close (earlier if all places are filled).

  3. September 2026

    First placement begins (runs to September 2027).

  4. January 2027

    Second placement begins (runs to November 2027).