The Moot is spread across Portugal with the Opening Ceremony beginning in Lisbon (Lisboa), Paths across the country, Main Camp in Ovar and the Closing Ceremony in Porto. More information below.  

WSM2025 begins with the Opening Ceremony in the morning on 25/07/2025, then all participants travel to their Paths. At the end of the Paths on 30/07/2025, the event continues with all participants travelling to the Main Camp with the Closing Ceremony ending the event on 3/08/2025.  

Any participants not on the Pre-Tour are to arrive in Lisbon to meet the Contingent on 24/07/2025 before 1pm Lisbon time. Accommodation and dinner are provided for this evening. International Service Team (IST) members are required to arrive in Lisbon on 23/07/2025 by 6pm Lisbon time, however are able to arrive earlier to setup their campsite and sign-up for activities for their free-time. 

At the end of the Main Camp on 3/08/2025, the Moot culminates in the Closing Ceremony in Porto, just 30 minutes north of the campsite. Australian Contingent members will be provided accommodation for this evening. The event is finished the next morning on 4/08/2025 and the Post-Tour begins shortly after. If not on Post-Tour, no activities are planned for the morning of 4/08/2025, only breakfast will be provided and you will be allowed to leave as you wish.

A “Path” is a unique experience or program designed for participants to engage with different aspects of Portuguese culture, environment, history, and adventure in a Patrol of 10 international scouts. These Paths are tailored to offer immersive activities in various locations across Portugal, allowing Scouts to explore the country while developing skills, learning about local traditions, and connecting with international Scouts. 

A Tribe is like a unit in Australia that is made up of several Patrols. Each Tribe will first meet each other at the beginning of their Path and continue through the Moot experience together until the Closing Ceremony, camping and eating together along the journey.  

Each Path has its own theme based on the Moots motto of ‘Engage’ Paths are a core part of the Moot experience, offering memorable, hands-on opportunities for cultural exchange and personal growth. 

The four Path themes are: 

1. 1. 1. Nature & Adventure
      2. Life & Spirituality
      3. Society & Politics
      4. Culture & Arts 

Each participant will choose a theme that interests them along with several other factors on a sliding scale and other choice factors for things like how you cook meals, level of physical activity, accessibility etc. The Moot Organising Committee then places participants in a Patrol and a Tribe on Path.  

The Main Camp for the Moot is located at Buçaquinho Park, just 30 minutes south of the second largest city in Portugal – Porto. Here you will camp with the same tribe from your path.  

Main Camp activities will involve several locations at the Main Camp site and the surrounding towns. The site will have many fun and exciting games and workshop areas relating to the Moots programme themes (Nature & Adventure, Life & Spirituality, Society & Politics, Culture & Arts). In the surrounding area the local picturesque Cortegaca Beach is a short distance for a swim or explore the amazing local culture at Porto, Espinho or Ovar.  

There are two activity sessions each day at camp where participants can choose their own programme through the Moot App that includes free time for at least a morning or afternoon session at Main Camp.  

Participants will cook their meals with their patrol at the facilities provided at each subcamp. All cooking equipment and food ingredients is provided except for individual eating equipment. IST are provided meals and will eat at the IST Dining Area.  

Included in the contingent fee is all accommodation, meals, activities and transport from the evening on 23/07/2025 for IST and from the meeting time on 24/07/2025 for participants till the morning of 4/08/2025.  

• Obtaining a passport if you do not already have one. Passports can generally take time to apply for and be  

• Any visa costs that might be applicable based on your passport’s country of issue (Australians do not need a visa) 

• Any spending money for souvenirs or incidental items (you will not need much) 

• Clothing and gear requirements outlined by the CMT and/or the organisers;  

• Any additional optional activities.  

• Return flights to Australia:  

• This is a self-travel event. It is your own personal responsibility to get yourself to the meeting point and from the departure point. 

Members withdrawing from the Contingent must notify the Contingent Leader in writing as soon as possible. Since many expenses must be paid well before our departure, it is not possible to provide full refunds upon withdrawal. If you apply for a refund before the 30th of september 2024 you will recive a full refund. If you apply for a refund between 1st of October 2024 to 1st of Febuary 2025 you will recive the amount paid less $1500. If you apply for a refund on or after the 1st of March 2025 you will not recive a refund.

Personal details can be updated through Scouts Australia’s International Event Registration System, OLEMS: 

https://registrations.international.scouts.com.au  

Individual travel details should be added into OLEMS as soon as organised.  

IST undertake a training and information day on 24/07/2025 to prepare for their roles for the moot. However, from the morning on 23/07/2025, IST can check in at Moot and set up camp. All IST need to arrive in Lisbon by 6pm Lisbon time at the latest. Accommodation and meals from this day are provided for. See more information here: https://worldscoutmoot.pt/ist-programme/. IST on pre-tour will arrive in the afternoon before the Welcome Party.   

Your Contingent Kit includes: 

• 2 x Shirts  

• 2 x Badges  

• 1 x Hat  

• 1 x Pack of 4 Clip-On Koalas 

You will also receive: 

• 2 x Scouts Australia International Scarfs 

• 1 x Continegnt Name Badge 

Absolutely! Simply change the quantity in OLEMS. Remember, you already receive the above merchandise as above as part of the Contingent Kit 

Contingent Merchandise and any extra items ordered can be picked up from your states O-Day. If you are unable to attend your O-Day, you should contact another person who is and may be able to pick up yours merchandise for you. Those from the Northern Territory and Tasmania will have there’s posted to them.  

The contingent personal gear list will be released in the second newsletter. However, majority of the gear you may use for a regular scout event would be necessary, including a tent, sturdy soled shoes and sun safe clothing.  

Each participant will need their own tent at Moot as you will be camped with your Path/Tribe, not with other Australians. You may also require your tent on Path. It is advisable to bring a small tent with you from Australia in your luggage. Tents brought with you to the event must be taken home with you. The event may have tent rentals available, but this service is yet to be confirmed; it is recommended you do not rely on this option. 

Main Camp is a forested area of uneven ground, exposed roots, recently cut down trees and sand. The site covers a large area. Enclosed walking shoes around site are required to prevent injury from sticks/trees. A sturdy boot with ankle support is highly recommended to prevent rolled/sprained ankles. 

If you wish to utilise the organised bus transfer from Barcelona, plan to fly in by 3pm Barcelona time at the latest on 15/07/2025. A welcome dinner is organised for the evening, and all on Pre-Tour will need to arrive at the location in Barcelona by 4pm at the latest. 

Yes, as part of your tour fee, accommodation is included for those on Pre-Tour for the 23/07/2025. The 23/07/2025 will be a travel day to get to Lisbon and 24/07/2025 is a free day for all participants on the Pre-Tour.  

As on the contingent cover letter available on OLEMS, the pre tour includes all accommodation, 10 breakfasts and 2 dinners, activities, and transport. The starting point will be in Barcelona and the end point will be in Lisbon 

The post tour includes all accommodation, 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners, activities and transport including flights from Portugal to Morocco. The starting point will be in Porto and the end point will be in Casablanca.  

Orientation Days or O-Days for the Australian Contingent are information sessions held in each branch to provide valuable information to everyone attending the Moot. Merchandise is also distributed at each O-Day.  

Yes, it is required for each contingent member to attend an O-Day. If you cannot attend the in-person O-Day in your home branch you must be able to attend an online catch-up session in late April.  

In person O-Days for the contingent will take place in April and May 2025 in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth. Contingent members from Tasmania and the Northern Territory will have an online O-Day for them and merchandise will be distributed via postage. 

Yes. If you wish to attend a different O-Day in a different branch due to significant travel time or other conditions, you must advise the CMT, so the correct merchandise is brought to the correct O-Day.  

The information provided by Moot regarding location, transport and infrastructure implies a proficient level of fitness to fully participate. You should be able to walk (and carry your luggage) through uneven forest. Lots of walking will be required, it could be a 15-minute walk through the forest from your tent to the main entertainment area. You will have to walk with your luggage 1.4km from the site to the train station.  

Moot will have a portable shower and portable toilet blocks available. There will be a block beside each subcamp. They will have hot water. They are individual cubicles with doors for toilets and shower curtains for showers. Male, female and unisex facilities will be available. 

Moot will be offering mobile phone charging facilities; they have not specified where this will be or how close to your subcamp. If you need to charge medical devices/equipment, please email us at wsmauscontingent@scouts.com.au so we can investigate where you can charge these. The campsites do not have electricity on them. 

Meals will be managed and cooked within Path groups. A supermarket will be set up on site and Path’s will be given a shopping card with a limit to purchase ingredients from the supermarket. As you will be menu planning and cooking within your path group your dietary requirements will be managed by yourself and your peers. Examples of diets Moot can cater for include vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, gluten free, lactose free.  

Breakfast and lunch will be a “pre-packed” style with a range of options; these will be collected at the same time. Dinner will be cooked by staff and served at the canteen. The CMT are inquiring as to what diets the Moot will cater for, if your diet is unique, please arrange to carry personal snacks to supplement.  

Each path is organised by a different team of Rovers and as a result will have a different approach to how food is managed on the Path. Once receiving your path allocation, you will be able to speak with your specific path leader. All meals are included while on Path. 

Some meals are included on the tour; for example, there are a few cultural dinners and breakfasts at hotel buffets. As we are not organizing these it is difficult to assess how dietary-friendly they are. You will have time to purchase your own food from a cafe, convenience store or supermarket during the days/evenings. 

For participants all meals from meeting with the Contingent in Porto on the 24th of July (dinner supplied) until 3rd August (dinner supplied). IST is required onsite from the 23rd (dinner supplied). We are providing accommodation until the morning of 4th August. Included meals for pre-tour: 2x dinners, 8x breakfasts. Included meals post tour: 5x dinners, 2x lunch, 9x breakfasts. 

You are covered from when you commence your journey to the Moot and return to your place of residence. If you are going to the pre-tour and post-tour, your cover will start and end with these dates and the days you are travelling to meet up with the pre-tour or leave the post-tour are included 

*If you are travelling elsewhere before or after the Contingent arrives and departs the Moot site and are not on the pre or post tour, you must organise insurance to cover this period. 

Should you become ill or injured before departing for the Moot, please contact the Contingent Emergency Hotline. They will advise the insurer and assist you in lodging a claim. Please pay any upfront costs and keep all receipts. 

If something happens while travelling to or from the Moot, or at the event itself, please advise the Contingent Management Team so it can be noted. Once again, please pay any upfront costs and keep all receipts or documentation you may receive from a doctor/emergency room at a hospital. 

Please refer to Section 4 for more information on the conditions outlined in the Travel Insurance Policy for medical coverage. 

No, the insurer does not cover mental health services (ie. visits to psychologists, visits to emergency for crisis support, inpatient, or outpatient mental health care). The Health & Wellbeing team will be available to provide a safe space and a listening ear to help you through the tough moments. Contingent members should be experiencing good mental health before attending Moot. Moot is a high intensity event; Contingent members with concerns should speak to their professional support network (ie. General Practitioner, psychologist, psychiatrist) about their suitability to participate and have a robust management plan in place.  

Yes. The H&W team wants as much information as possible before the event so we can better prepare to make the event as stress free as possible. We want to make sure your dietaries are catered for, we want to check in if we know the weather might cause a flare up of something, we want to know if certain environments are a trigger for you. From an insurance perspective, it is especially important that pre-existing conditions are listed in OLEMS as failing to declare them invalidates the travel insurance.  

Please refer to Sections 6 and 8 in the Travel Policy for confirmation on what is covered. 

If you have never attended an international event, you must create an account using the Online Event Management System (OLEMS).  To create a new account, click on the link below 

https://registrations.international.scouts.com.au 

Complete the details at the bottom of the page, press “register applicant” and then check your email for the registration confirmation. It may go into your “junk folder” so take a look in there just in case. 

To ensure you are ready for applications opening on 1 August, perhaps get your account set up a couple of days before opening so you’re ready to go! As soon as you login, the Moot will show up in events you can register for so you will be able to click on that and start your registration. 

Some things to get ready so you can enter all details required into your application: 

• Medicare Card 
• Health Fund details 
• ID photo 
• You will need two referees, so start thinking about who you will be using and reach out to them and also check their email and phone number.
• The medical section is very important, the more the Contingent knows about you, the more they can assist whilst you are at the event.
• Enter all of your medications clearly. 
• Upload any medical action plans you may have. The Contingent needs to know you carry an EpiPen for example.
• These details remain confidential and being truthful about any conditions you may have will not impact you being approved to attend the event.

• Check your passport’s expiry date. For example, you can’t enter some countries if you have less than 6 months validity on your passport from the date you intend to leave that country. This may apply when you’re transiting or stopping over in the country. 
• If you have to lodge a renewal application, allow plenty of time.
• Upload a copy of your passport into your application. This is a requirement we must follow from DFAT. 

If you contract the virus and are unable to travel to the Moot, please advise the Contingent Leader as soon as possible. Ensure you visit your GP and get a certificate that states you were unable to attend this event due to COVID and you will not be joining later. 

You will then be able to submit a claim and recoup some of your losses as this is classed as an unforeseen circumstance outside the control of the covered traveller. 

The Contingent Leader will work with the National Office to assist you with the next steps.

It is a mandatory requirement of any member of Scouts Australia attending the Moot that they sign this. You will not be able to join the Pre-Tour, Moot or Post-tour if you don’t sign this before leaving for the event. 

This will be uploaded into OLEMS and you will be advised to log in and sign saying you agree with all rules outlined in this document. 

If it is decided that a member of the Contingent has broken one of the rules outlined in this, they could be asked to leave the Contingent and will be responsible in changing their flights at their own expense. 

Scouts Australia arranges travel insurance for everyone who is a part of the contingent. The National Office sends a manifest to our insurer, and this has everyone’s name and any pre-existing conditions. If you are listed as attending then you are covered, they do not need to know how long it is going to take you to get to Europe. 

But, if you are planning any extra travel before joining the Pre-Tour or travelling on after the Post-Tour ends, then you will be required to organise your own insurance. 

For example, you decide you will spend a week in London before heading to Portugal, break your leg and then turn up at the Moot. Our insurance policy will not cover you if you need treatment when you get back home. And if you had to travel home and couldn’t attend the Moot because of an incident like this, you are not covered by Scouts Australia. 

But if you have an incident on the way to the event at a connecting airport for example, then you are covered because you are part way through your journey and something unplanned has happened. 

• Your cover starts from the time you leave your residence to start your journey and ends once you have returned to your residence. 
• If you are attending the Pre-Tour and Moot only, your cover will start from the day you depart Australia to join the Pre-Tour until you return home after the Moot.
• If you are only going to the Moot and Post-Tour, you will be covered from the day you start your journey to the Moot up until you return home after the Post-Tour.
• If you are only attending the Moot you are covered from the start of your journey to the Moot meeting location up until you return back to Australia after the Moot.

Pre-Tour 

This starts in Barcelona on 15 July and concludes in Lisbon where you will be meeting up with the rest of the Contingent. So, if you are planning on leaving Australia on say 13 July, this is when your travel insurance commences. 

Moot Only 

The Contingent is meeting in Barcelona on 24 July. So, if you are departing Australia on say 21 July, this is when your travel insurance commences. 

Post-Tour 

This starts in Porto 4 August and ends 13 August in Morocco. So, if you are travelling straight back to Australia after the Post-tour ends, you are covered until you arrive home on 15-16 August for example depending on whether you have direct flights or stop-overs. 

Applications open on 1st August 2024 and close on 21st September 2024 or until all available positions are filled. All applicants must register using the Australian Contingent’s online application system, OLEMS. An application is not considered complete until the authority is signed in your application form and your deposit has been received. Submitting an application is no guarantee of acceptance to attend the event. 

Applications for both tours and the main moot event all open on 1st August 2024. Applications for the moot itself are limited to what the Moot Organising Committee sets our limit at. If your application is marked as (NHQ) accepted, your spot on the contingent is confirmed. If not, your deposit will be fully refunded.  

We cannot give an exact timeline of when your application will be approved. Firstly, you must completely submit it and pay the deposit. Only then will applications be reviewed fully by the CMT. Then your home branch is required to confirm your membership status. Once this has occured we are able to accept your application.  

The European Union has announced they will be introducing a new travel authorisation for many visa-exempt countries. Starting in the first half of 2025, Australian visitors to any of these 30 countries are required to apply for the entry requirement. It is linked to your passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. You can fill out the application form using either the official ETIAS website. Applying for the ETIAS travel authorisation costs EUR 7.

With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays – normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions.