Report Western Europe Gathering

The 29th Western Europe sub-regional Gathering took place from 10 – 14 October 2025 in the small village of Bergeijk in the south of the Netherlands and organized by the Dutch Scout and Guide Fellowship. This event was attended by 44 participants. Belgium 5, Denmark 1, Egypt 1, France 1, Germany 7, Ghana 5, Ireland 6, Luxembourg 2, Netherlands 13, United Kingdom 3.

Days were filled with encounters, experiences and new impressions. We experienced an inspiring lecture by the Dutch keynote speaker, Marjolein Sluijters, ex chairman Europe Region Committee of WAGGGS. It was not only the art of the lecture but also about how Scouting principles can continue to accompany our personal life journey. It was a pity that the Scout band had cancelled their performance for the opening ceremony.

A varied program filled the 4 days with a hike with orientation tasks, an introduction to golf as well as a pleasant tourist train ride to a church and a mill in the area and a visit to a museum about falconry and production of cigars. There were also workshops on the program such as geocaching, wine tasting and making a Surinam treat.

The campfire was a real one and completed in the sense of the scout tradition with songs and sketches.

The evening was filled with a digital pub quiz in which patrols fought against each other. It caused a lot of laughter and team spirit and especially when the Dutch Santa Klaus appeared in the audience and throwing sweets in the audience. There was an auction of scouting relating memorabilia and the proceeds will be spent for a determined project.

During the short business meeting, Marisca from the Netherlands, was elected as liaison for the West European sub-region in the Europe Region Committee. It is not yet known who will host the next gathering in 2028. All credit should be given to the excellent cooking staff where we could enjoy typical Dutch dishes.

During this event two persons received an award. Leny Doelman received an award of special merits from the Scout/Guide organization for her above-average commitment to Scouting in the Netherlands while Marisca Kamperman received the Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau, a royal award for her work in Scouting and the Dutch Fellowship.