Rieneck Castle Cub Scout Expedition

Essex County Scouts have organised international expeditions for Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Network over a number of years but there has never been anything for Cub Scouts.

Thurrock District have organised four expeditions to Rieneck Castle in the past and these were very popular. A further one is taking place in October 2024. Building on this and making use of a tried and tested programme and organisation, the County International Team are proposing an Essex Expedition in October 2025 and have provisionally booked the whole castle which gives us 125 spaces.

Rieneck Castle is owned by the German Association of Christian Guides and Scouts (VCP). The castle is well equipped with bunk bedded rooms. Full catering is provided throughout our stay. We have a very good relationship with the staff and our proposed programme is arranged as part of the trip, much of it in and around the castle.

When are we going?

The trip leaves Essex on Sunday October 26th 2025 and returns on Friday October 31st. We will leave Essex early on Sunday morning (around 6am) and return around 11pm on Friday (subject to ferry delays and traffic).

What is the cost and what is included?

• The cost is £475 per person (a non refundable deposit of £75 secures a place)
• Transport by luxury coach
• Insurance
• Full board accommodation in bunk bedded rooms
• All meals during the journey to and from the Castle
• T-shirt, neckerchief, woggle and uniform UK flag badge
• All activities including two days offsite:
  • One day will be to a swimming centre with bouldering wall, waterfall, water chute, Jacuzzis and hot springs.
  • The second will be to an adventure park (to be decided)

How do I find out more?

• Send an expression of interest to us using THIS FORM.
• You will receive notification of an online meeting during early November where further details will be provided.
• Following this meeting, registration will open. Full details of how to apply and make payment will be supplied during the online briefing.

Applications

• Registration is by Cub Pack and not individuals.
• Each Cub Pack will register with County and must have the correct ratio of adults to young people. (You do not need to have the additional leader in charge person as this is covered by County.)
• Once you have registered your Pack, you will have 14 days to pay the deposits after which the places will be released if not secured.
• The Nights Away process will be covered by the County so you do not need to individually complete and submit NANs.
• Applications will close on 15th December (or earlier if all places are filled).

Further information

You can explore the Castle by visiting their website
You can also look at a previous Thurrock Expedition in this video:

If you have further questions prior to the meeting please feel free to send these to the International Team