Cruce de los Andes

The Scouts and Guides travelled through the towns of Las Cuevas, Cristo Redentor, Libertadores, Juncal, Río Blanco, Los Andes, Panquehue, Llay Llay, La Calera, Quillota, Concón, Viña del Mar y Valparaíso. They set off from Las Cuevas in Argentina on 15 January 2008 and travelled to Valparaíso, crossing the Andes and travelling for 254km and 10 days.

They aimed through this expedition to promote youth issues, contribute to their own personal development and reinforce the identity of young people, "leaving this world a little better than they found it” (in the words of the Founder of Scouting, Baden-Powell). The most important goal was to strengthen the bonds of friendship between both countries and promote international peace, contributing at the same time to the development of the region.

As the Scouts passed through each town, they learned about the different cultural, social and economic characteristics of the area, and whilst walking, they had the opportunity to reflect on peace, basic human rights, freedom, poverty, development and unity, to consider the problems that society faces today, and discuss possible solutions to these issues.

A total of around 300 young Scouts from Argentina and Chile, together with guests from Bolivia and Uruguay, took part in this project. As a result, they will now be better prepared to exercise their rights and obligations as citizens of this World.

For more information on this project please visit the website of the Argentinian Scouts, Zona 28 Mendoza.