Scout Josh is looking east for summer hike

Josh Robinson of Gamlingay will visit the country as part of the Explore Japan 2014 scheme in August.

The 16-year-old, who is a member of the Gamlingay and Gransden Scouts, will complete a 160km hike over 10 days in the country.

Josh and fellow Gamlingay and Gransden scout Beth Elwood, 16, will be among a party of around 60 who will travel through towns and villages, completing community projects along the way.

They will get by on a limited budget and will stay with host families along the way.

Josh, who attends Bedford Modern School, said: “We will be driven quite a distance and then be dropped off in small groups with compasses, with no idea of where we are.

“It will be quite a challenge but I have been learning Japanese with a tutor so I’m hoping I’ll know enough to get by!”

The scheme is the brainchild of a scouting district in Birmingham, who offered places to scouts nationally when they found they still had places to fill.

Josh added: “As well as doing the hike we will also have some time to spend in Japan to explore, including in Tokyo where we will get the chance to see the sights.”

Josh needs to raise £1,600 in sponsorship for the trip and he has brought in around half so far by charging to look after people’s pets and through other fundraising schemes.

To find out more or to make a donation see www.explore
japan2014.com