In today's world, people find themselves working and living in another country, sometimes for short periods but often for extended ones. Where they are able to take their families, expatriates will want to see their daughters and sons able to carry on their Scouting.
Whilst the Scout Movement exists in almost every country, the relatively short stay of most expatriate young people (and the need for them to be able to re-enter Scouting back in the United Kingdom) often makes it helpful for there to a form of British Scouting available abroad.
"British Groups Abroad" is a County within The Scout Association, supporting Scouting currently operating in 27 Groups in 16 Countries ("Districts") throughout the world. At the 2007 census British Groups Abroad had 600 young people in the Training Sections, with nearly 100 Warranted Leaders and Section Assistants.
Training Sections in BGA are identical to those in Groups operating within the U.K. and young people follow the same programmes. Leaders are Warranted and follow the adult training programme although the special circumstances in which they operate calls for more flexible adult training and development methods.
More information on British Groups Abroad, including details of all the Groups can be found in their latest information sheet available from the International Office, their constitutional guidelines and their Annual Reports from 2006 and 2007.
