What is SWAN?
- It’s part of Peterborough District Scout Council and organises week long sailing expeditions annually. Some of its members also support Cambridgeshire’s larger water based activities (eg Big Splash).
SWAN 2025 is your chance to:
- Be an active crew member, sailing a yacht around the Norfolk Broads on an exciting week-long adventure.
- No prior sailing experience is needed – we’ve got fantastic people who will help you “learn the ropes”.
- There are also pre-expedition training sessions run during the winter so you can know what to expect and what to bring with you.
- There can be early starts and sometimes it can be tiring but the way everyone works together creates friends for life and an amazing experience!
Here are a few pictures from the 2024 expedition:
Interested?
- Who can come? Applications are welcomed from Scouts aged 13 and over (at 11th April 2025); Explorers and assisting adults.
- Cost? £340 for the week including food, boat hire and mooring fees.
- How do we get there? Transport to and from the Broads is organised locally and there may be a small additional cost for this.
How do I apply?
Make sure you’ve registered before 1st October 2024, by completing our online application form and sorting your £100 deposit.
There is often high demand for places. Applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been successful by Friday 18 October 2024.
Deposits will be refunded to unsuccessful applicants.
Pre-expedition training
Our experience shows that training prior the expedition can really help everyone get the most out of it.
So whatever level you are at you will be expected to attend the pre-expedition training provided in
your area. See FAQ below for required training dates.
FAQs
I have a question before I apply, who do I contact?
Please send any general queries to steven.tupper@swan.peterboroughscouts.org
Please send area specific queries to the SWAN area coordinators:
- Peterborough Explorers: Aly Royle: aly.royle@swan.peterboroughscouts.org
- Peterborough Scouts: Greg Jones: greg.jones@peterboroughscouts.org
- Cromwell: John Nicoll: john.e.nicoll@btopenworld.com
- Cambridge: Graham Steed: raptors@12thcambridge.org.uk
- Winchester: Remus Sawyerr: remus.sawyerr@swan.peterboroughscouts.org
- Cumbria: John Mason: john@meremountains.co.uk
- Mid Wales: Lisa Stead: lisa.danycoed@btinternet.com
- Shropshire: George Jones: georgeedjones@gmail.co
Is SWAN open to young people and adults not in Scouting?
Sadly not. All participants on SWAN must be an active member of Scouting prior the expedition.
If you register for SWAN and subsequently leave Scouting we’re afraid you will be unable to attend and you
may lose your deposit and any payments made.
What if I can’t afford the fee but would like to attend?
SWAN is open to everyone. If you are likely to struggle with the cost of the expedition please let us
know when you register. We’ll then be in contact with you on a confidential basis to see how we can
support. We have a limited fund available to support both young people and adults who are actively
contributing to the running of the expedition.
I’m worried I won’t know anyone, is that going to be a
problem?
SWAN brings together young people and adults from around the country. During the expedition
everyone is split into crews of people they are unlikely to have met/sailed with before. SWAN is a
great way of meeting new people.
When will the expedition training take place?
Our experience shows that training prior the expedition can really help everyone get the most out of it. So whatever level you are at you will be expected to attend the pre-expedition training provided in your area.
The dates for training for Peterborough, Cromwell and Cambridge members will be: Friday 6 December, Friday 10 January, Friday 7 February and Friday 7 March.
For those attending who have not attended before there will also be a pool session during February.