International Travel Tips

The following are some guidelines submitted by members of the U.S. Contingent as a result of their experiences in traveling to the IX Pan American Jamboree in Bolivia. (The recommendations are intended to serve as general guidelines only.)

By David Knotts
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 360
Longmont, Colo.

Social scientists say there are four stages of enjoyment associated with a recreation experience:

• Planning and Preparation
• Anticipation
• Participation
• Reflection

However, it can be enjoyable.

The general consensus among the leaders participating in the 1994 Pan American Jamboree in Bolivia agreed they had almost as much fun getting ready for the trip as the trip itself.

International travel, especially to developing countries, is not without risk and potential problems. And such problems can be greatly increased when traveling with a group.

However, with careful planning, the risks can be minimized and in some cases avoided altogether.

Pre-trip Orientation

It goes without saying, any trip should include an orientation of the people, history, culture andlanguage of the destination country. Learning a few basic words of the native language will make the trip more enjoyable for all and demonstrates a respect to the local people.

Appropriate merit badges to pursue in conjunction with international travel include American Cultures, Architecture, Citizenship in the World, Coin Collecting, Collections, and Photography.

Documentation

With the exception of Canada and Mexico, travel outside the US requires a passport.

Passport applications may be obtained from the U.S. Post Office. Passport photos must meet specific size requirements and may be made by a travel agent or professional photographer.

Photos taken in Scout uniform were not accepted by the passport service for 50 percent of the Scouts traveling to Bolivia. A white shirt and tie is most universally accepted.

Minors traveling withoutboth parents will require a notarized letter authorizing one parent or the unit leader to take the minor out of the country.

Transportation

Airlines. U.S. and most European carriers have adequate safety and service records. However, airlines owned and operated by developing countries are sometimes poorly managed and maintained.

If travel on local airlines is planned, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration maintains a information hot line you can call to determine an air carrier's performance status. A reputable travel agency can also verify performance records.

Ground Transportation. Public transportation in developing countries is readily available and reasonably priced.

Taxis often exceed the number of private vehicles. When moving a group by taxi, establish the fare before departing to the destination. Radio taxis tend to offer more reliableand consistent service than other companies.

Long distance travel by bus rivals airline travel in the U.S. The recommendations of a reputable travel agency for the better bus companies should be sought.

Local bus travel can be an adventure, but does not always offer the best security forequipment and excess baggage.

Often, you can rent either a micro or a full-sized bus for a nominal fee. Local hotels can also recommend transportation services.

Staying Healthy

Before any international travel, you should find out about any required immunizations.

Your local travel agent, physician, or department of health can provide you with a current listing of recommend or required immunizations.

You can also contact the Center for disease control in Atlanta, Georgia for their recommendations at 404/639-2572.

Often, as in the case of Bolivia, no immunizations are required, but several are recommend. It is left up to the individual and their family physician to determine which, if any, they will receive.

While some of the immunizations are expensive, when traveling with youth, it simply is not worth the risk to not take all possible preventative measures.

A jamboree brings together people from all walks of life. While your group may not be in an area where cholera is a risk, for example, participants from high risk regions could bring the disease with them.

When you bring several thousand people together even in the best of conditions, there is a risk of infectious disease. Sanitation conditions in developing countries is often a serious problems. It is always best to err on the side of caution.

Good personal hygiene habits on the part of the individual Scout can go a long way towardprevention of disease.

Some U.S. Scouts at the Pan American Jamboree carried a supply of anti-bacterial disposable toilettes and used them to wash their hands after every trip to the latrine and before meals.

While bottled water can usually be purchased even in remote parts of most countries, it is not always dependable and the amounts needed for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth can prove costly over time.

Investing in a portable water filter will pay for itself a hundred fold by supplying all your needs regardless of the circumstances.

It is always wise to check with someone knowledgeable of the country in question for information on common illnesses.

Travelers to Bolivia, for example, must contend with altitude sickness. Drinking large quantities of water and resting frequently until you have become acclimated will help you avoid the flu-like symptoms associated with altitude sickness.

Currency

While the U.S. dollar is universally accepted, using the local currency will save time and money.

Currency can be changed at most international airports in the U.S. or at local banks or change houses in country. Rates will vary considerably and comparisons should be made.

If you travel with dollars, bills larger than $20 are not always accepted due to large scale counterfeiting of $50's and $100's. Local banks and merchants will not accept any U.S. currency that is torn or faded. A small pocket calculator is helpful in determine exchange rates.

Gifts

For events such as a jamboree, gifts are often exchanged between the host country and the visitors. Gifts are also given to individuals that perform services for the visitors. Gifts can range from simple plaques to a set of patches. Scout lapel pins and U.S. flags pins were popular in Bolivia.

The First 24 Hours

When traveling to a developing country for the first time, it is wise to be prepared for the unknown.

In addition to their luggage, most of the Scouts traveling to Bolivia carried a day pack, containing one complete change of clothing, a light jacket, rain gear, two quarts of water, and food for the the first 24 hours. One patrol packed military MRE's ("meals ready to eat") as a emergency food source.

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