Making overseas trips possible without overwhelming volunteers
Fundraising for international trips can feel like a big challenge, especially when volunteers are already juggling planning, safeguarding, and logistics.
Whether you’re organising a Scout jamboree, a Girlguiding international camp, a school trip abroad, a sports tour, or a youth group adventure, international travel offers incredible opportunities — but also comes with significant costs. For many UK-based groups, fundraising for the trip is what makes these experiences possible in the first place.
If you’re looking for realistic, manageable fundraising ideas for international trips, you’re not alone. Scout groups, Guide units, school PTAs, and youth organisations across the UK are all facing the same challenge — how to raise meaningful amounts without constantly asking supporters for donations or putting extra pressure on already busy volunteers.
Why fundraising for international trips is different
Fundraising for a Scout jamboree, a Girlguiding international camp, a school trip abroad, or a youth group expedition is a different challenge to raising money for everyday activities. The sums involved are larger, the timelines are longer, and the pressure on volunteers is already significant.
Groups planning international trips typically need to:
Volunteers are already giving a huge amount of time to make these trips happen. That’s why the most successful fundraising approaches for international travel tend to share the same qualities — they are low-risk, flexible, easy to manage, and don’t require specialist skills or expensive upfront investment. The best fundraising ideas for international trips work with your volunteers, not against them.
What makes international trip fundraising more successful?
The most effective fundraising for international trips usually share a few key features:
Product-based fundraising often works particularly well when supporters understand exactly what their purchase is helping to fund.
Popular fundraising ideas for international trips
Most groups use a mix of fundraising activities rather than relying on just one.
Common approaches include:
Product fundraising can be especially effective for international trips because it allows supporters to contribute at a higher value while receiving something useful or enjoyable in return.
Using candle fundraising to support international trips
Candle fundraising has long been popular with youth groups, and it remains one of the most effective and accessible ways to raise money for international travel. Unlike one-off events or donation appeals, it gives every member of your group an active role in the fundraiser — and gives supporters something genuinely lovely in return. (See how the tradition thrives in Sweden)
Real Story: Fundraising for the Haarlem Jamborette 2027
One UK Scout troop used candle fundraising as part of their preparations for the Haarlem Jamborette 2027. Members were each given a small number of candles to sell within their own networks at £15, with the flexibility to go slightly under if needed.
Results varied across the group, as they often do — some members found it easy to sell within their circles while others sold fewer. The biggest win came through an unexpected connection: a local school where one of their Explorers was a student. With the help of a teacher, 19 candles were sold to staff alone.
It’s a good reminder that the most effective selling often happens through personal connections you might not have thought of at the start.
Flexible fundraising for any youth or community group
It can be adapted to suit small groups, large teams, or county and organisation-wide initiatives. Whether you have 10 members or 100, the model scales easily — each person simply sells within their own personal network of friends, family, and colleagues. There are no upfront costs, free returns on anything unsold, and you only pay for what you sell. That makes it one of the most accessible and low-risk ways for any youth or community group to raise funds for trips, camps, and international adventures.
Planning fundraising for an international trip?
If you’re organising an overseas trip and looking for a fundraising option that’s low-risk, flexible, and easy to manage, we’d love to help.
Learn how candle fundraising works (How it works)
Request a sample candle
Talk through quantities, timelines, and pricing
Discover more posts
Make your candle fundraiser stand out with custom packaging
How personalised candle fundraising builds connection and raises more Looking for a youth group fundraising idea that’s both impactful and personal? A personalised candle fundraiser helps your group stand out while raising serious funds. With [...]
Meet the candles: The heart of a fundraiser
Why candles for fundraising work so well Let’s face it, some fundraising products are a hard sell. But candles? They’re the opposite. They’re beautiful, practical, and make people feel good. Whether it’s a [...]
Your FAQs answered: Candle fundraising edition
Looking to raise money for a youth trip, school, or local club? Candle fundraising is a simple, low-risk way to meet your goals, and this page answers all your burning questions! Whether you’re a leader, [...]
