An expedition by Surrey Scouts to Ypres, Belgium. 200 young people from Surrey will participate in 3 days of exploration, visiting, learning and to pay respect to the fallen.
OLP 2025 is officially wrapped. See the full gallery here.
Thanks to all the Unit Leaders, Service Team and Core Team who make this trip happen and to all the Scouts who were great fun to be around, respectful throughout the trip and especially to those Scouts who shared their chocolates with me!
This is our last blog post of OLP 2025, see you in 2028.
We have just disembarked in Dover.
We’re currently running to schedule and will see you at the arranged time. Unit Leaders will be in touch if there are unforeseen changes to the schedule.
View the full gallery whilst waiting for us
We had a quick stop before lunch to visit the Ferme Olivier Cemetery, a site of historical significance to the Scouting movement.
With 18 flag bearers standing tall, accompanied by a bugler, our young people took part in a moving ceremony to remember those who gave their lives during the First World War. The service included Scouts reading aloud the Exhortation and the Kohima, echoing with meaning among the rows of headstones.
Among those buried here is Mark Noble, one of the Scouts who attended Baden-Powell’s very first Scout camp on Brownsea Island in 1907. For our Scouts, standing at his resting place was a powerful reminder that the Scouting story is deeply connected to world history — and that some of the very first Scouts went on to serve their countries.
This was a lovely way to reflect on the trip and gave us our final act of remembrance.
It was a very quiet night and all the Scouts are now up enjoying breakfast and striking camp. We’re off to our final activity this morning before heading to the Ferry. We’ll see you tonight!
It’s been a hot afternoon and the Scouts have done amazingly well! After enjoying some free time exploring Brugge, we visited two historic sites: Hill 60 and Essex Farm.
Hill 60 played a crucial role in WWI as a strategic high point. It’s especially known for its underground warfare, which left behind the massive craters we explored today. One of the most striking lessons was just how close the front lines were—described to us as the width of a cricket pitch.
At Essex Farm, we stood in the very place where John McCrae wrote his famous poem In Flanders Fields in 1915. The site was once an Advanced Dressing Station, and the Scouts took part in an eye-opening demonstration of how wounded soldiers would have been treated—don’t worry, the blood was fake!
After a cooked dinner at a local Scout HQ we gathered under the Menin Gate for their 20:00 service. The Last Post Ceremony is a daily act of remembrance for the British and Commonwealth soliders who died in the Ypres Salient during WWI and who have no known grave.
We placed 13 wreaths and had 19 flag bearers on parade. We also had the privilege of investing a Scout into Horsell Gladstone just prior to the service.
No trip to Brugge is complete without sampling its sweet treats: Belgian waffles and chocolate!
The Scouts have had some free time in their groups to explore Brugge. Two groups enjoyed a waffle and truffle making session, with others wandering and spending their… your money in all the chocolate shops.
The coaches are slightly fuller with lovely chocolates – with the plan to bring them home, if they last that long!
Edit: 1st Sunbury climbed the 366 steps of the Belfont Tower. They timed it perfectly to be there at noon when the bells played ‘somewhere over the rainbow’. I’ve been told it was very loud! Video on the gallery
The Scouts are up and filing in for breakfast ready for the day ahead.
And here’s Day 1’s full photo gallery.
After a busy afternoon exploring the Passchendaele Museum and walking the 2km route to Tyne Cot Cemetery, our Scouts are now either setting up camp or enjoying a well-earned dinner.
We are incredibly fortunate to have Commonwealth War Graves Commission volunteers with us, who shared powerful insights into the significance of Tyne Cot with the Scouts.
With a big day ahead exploring Brugge tomorrow, we’re hoping for an early night all round (fingers crossed!).
The catering team are having a blast making everyone’s lunch. Beautiful singing team!
Operation Last Post 