The 2004 Olympic Games inspires links with Scouting in Greece.

At a Troop Forum, several Scouts had said that as a result of watching the Olympic Games they wanted to find out more about Greece. The Scout Leader thought that this would be an excellent opportunity to link into the International Friendship Group Award and they mind mapped some of the different aspects of Greece and Greek culture that they might find out about. Two of the Scouts had said that they had been on holiday to Greece while the Scout Leader remembered an article he had read in the April 2004 edition of Scouting about the "Lands Of Adventure" programme.

At the end of the six month period, when the project was reviewed and the leaders felt that the Greek theme had really invigorated their programme planning. The younger members of the Group had learned a lot about Greece, Greek culture, and Scouting in Greece. The Scouts had also enjoyed the project approach and some had made new friends. Many of the Scouts gained their Lands of Adventure Badges and the Troop Forum decided it now needed a creative project to complete the next part of Lands Of Adventure.

Media interest was created by the energy, creativity and visual impact of some of the activities particularly the Beaver's Plays, the Cubs attempt at Greek cooking, the dancing display and the visit from the Greek Scouts. The editor of the local newspaper was very supportive and ran a small regular feature on the project.

The Group had a celebratory meal at the local Greek Restaurant and the manager of the restaurant presented everyone with their International Friendship Group Awards.

If you wanted to try this project, or something similar, here are some practical suggestions.

Scouts can register online to take part in the "Eur-hopping" part of the LANDS OF AVENTURE programme (www.scoutbase.org.uk/ps/inter/programme/world/loa/index.htm). The UK's Lands Of Adventure Ambassador, is happy to help any Scouts make a link with a Scout Troop in Greece and then the two groups can agree upon a project with the aim of finding out more about young peoples' issues in each others countries.

• Exchanges newspapers and magazines to find out more about sport, music and television in the partner country. For example, send copies of "Shoot", a national and a local newspaper and the Greek Scouts could send you a copy of Athens News.

• Encourage Scouts to find out about the cultures and festivals, in the other country. (The Greek Embassy is a possibility, (www.greekembassy.org.uk Tel no. 02077278860- in London) together with information from the Greek scouts (www.sep.org.gr)). The older members of the Group could run some activities for younger Sections based on what they have learnt.

• Encourage the Group to make new friends with Greek Scouts through the International Penpals scheme (http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/ps/inter/programme/links/index.htm). Scouts could hold a Greek night using materials and information sent from Greece.

• UK Scouts could send information about Guy Fawkes, Trooping the Colour (www.royal.gov.uk/output/page370.asp) and Stonehenge (www.stonehenge.co.uk).

• Find out about the impact of the Olympic Games and how it has changed the City of Athens. (www.olympic.org/uk/index_uk.asp)

• Find out about London's bid for the Games in 2012 (www.london2012.org/en).

• Find out about the Group's anniversary, when was it formed and registered? The young people could find out about how births, marriages and deaths are celebrated, and compare this with the Greek tradition. Consider sending videos of anniversary parties, weddings etc.... and maybe a piece of birthday cake!

• Watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding (get it out on video or DVD)

• The Beavers could perform a play based on Greek legends. (www.ancienthistory.about.com)

• Find out more about Greek cooking and organise an International Cooking Competition. (www.greekcuisine.com)

• The Cubs could dress up in Greek costumes and learn traditional Greek dancing (http://lyra-dancers.future.easyspace.com)

• Find out about the Greek flag and make a large one to hang in the hall. (www.mantaway.com/greece.htm)

• Older Explorer Scouts might plan an Explorer Belt Expedition in Greece and invite older Scouts from Greece to travel with them.