Mediterranean bivouac: Living in interfaith friendship
Scouts et Guides de France are delighted to invite Scout associations from the Mediterranean region to take part in the Mediterranean Bivouac, an interfaith gathering that will bring together 600 Scouts aged 18 to 25 in Marseille in autumn 2026.
Since the founding of the Scout Movement, Baden-Powell envisioned that the spiritual and religious dimension would be at the heart of the Scouting experience, and that young people would learn to respect one another in their different beliefs. The Mediterranean Bivouac is rooted in this spirit: to foster and strengthen friendship between religions and to inspire a generation of young people to become, within their communities and across the world, builders of dialogue and peace.
In a world marked by numerous conflicts and tensions, we believe that young Scouts can play a vital role in nurturing dialogue and friendship between religions, and in helping to build lasting peace. On the shores of the Mediterranean, where cultures and religions have met for centuries, the Mediterranean Bivouac aims to offer young people engaged in a journey of faith and reflection a space to meet, engage in dialogue, learn from one another and build bonds of fellowship. For a few days, Scouts will share everyday Scout life: learning, training, serving, playing, celebrating, praying, engaging in dialogue, and living in nature.
- Participants: Scouts aged 18 to 25 from different religious traditions around the Mediterranean
- Location: Marseille, France
- Dates: October 29 - November 1, 2026
- How to take part? Details to be announced in the coming weeks
- Questions or to get in touch: bivouac@sgdf.fr
The World Scouting Interreligious Symposium (WSIS) will take place in Marseille at the same time as the Mediterranean Bivouac.
Convinced that every tradition has something essential to teach us, we sincerely hope that the young people from your association will respond to this invitation and join us in Marseille to experience this time of encounter and fellowship.