As Jamboree approaches scouts are big on Japan

Seven Biggleswade explorer scouts will be among a group of 36 from Bedfordshire who will take part in the 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Japan next year.

The group will be joining 30,000 other scouts from around the world on the Pacific coast of western Japan in July and August next year.

Emma Tracey, Emilia De Luca, Maddy Letowska, Luke Hitchcock, Ben Febery Watts, Robert Greener and Chloe 
Jefferd are the scouts from the Biggleswade group who will be travelling to Asia for the event.

They are now taking part in a variety of activities that will help to prepare them for the trip.

The group have been training so they can adjust to a different culture, food and customs. They have been using chopsticks, trying sushi and have even played Japanese Monopoly.

Other exercises have included challenging the youngsters to get onto a pretend bullet train as quickly as possible while they carry all their equipment.

The group will also be given advice on what to do in the event of an earthquake and about dealing with heavy summer rain.

The youngsters have enjoyed the activities greatly and are now looking forward to the trip.

Emma, 16, from Arlesley, said: “When the confirmation message came through I was so happy. It is one of those lifetime chances that is a dream come true.

“Scouting has opened up so many opportunities for me but this is something else. There will be loads of new things to learn like the Japanese language.

“I also want to meet as many foreign scouts as I can to find out how what they do.”

The scouts will also be taking part in a large number of fundraising activities as they seek to cover the cost of attending the Jamboree, which works out at £3,400 per person. Part of the money raised will also go towards a solidarity fund that helps scouts from developing countries to attend.

As 2015 marks 70 years since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki there will also be a planned visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and museum.

Scouts will also be given the opportunity to learn about events from the time.