East Lancahire Scouts head to South Korea for World Scout Jamboree

The group of 40 young people, from Burnley and Pendle, Clitheroe, Hyndburn, Blackburn and Darwen, aged 14-17, will perform their own song ‘Plastic Ocean’ in front of 50,000 other Scouts from 172 nations.

Dotty Davies, from Cowpe, Rossendale, wrote the song which focuses on environmental concerns, something the Scouts know all about having tackled litter picking.

The Jamboree is an amazing experience with Scouts getting the chance to quad-bike, parasail, wild camp, hike, visit a theme park and much more.

It also offers the chance to learn about Korean culture by visiting tourist attractions.

East Lancashire Jamboree Team Leader Emma Bradley said: “Attending the Jamboree teaches the young people skills for life and is an experience they will never forget.”

They fly out on July 26 and spend the first five days in Seoul, the capital, before moving on to the camp for a further 12 days.

One of the attendees Tom Smith, from Rossendale, said: “I am really excited to go on the Jamboree as I have never travelled that far before.

“I am looking forward to meeting the other Scouts from around the world, making new friends as well as discovering and learning the cultures they have.”

The Jamboree takes place in Saemanguem and will include a culture day and a Saemanguem’s Got Talent when the East Lancs team will perform their song on the main stage alongside 16 other groups.

Scouts from all countries will get a chance to show everyone what makes their home special and why they are proud of it.

For instance, the East Lancs group will be making origami witch hats and hot pot, as part of the cultural exchange.

Dotty Davies said: “I can’t wait to see Seoul and knowing I will be there with the friends for life I’ve made among my fellow East Lancashire HotPots makes me feel safe and even more excited to share what’s to come with them.”

To go on the Jamboree, costs British Scouts about £4,000 each, with some of the money raised helping people from less fortunate countries to attend the jamboree.

The team held a variety of individual and group fundraisers which developed a range of skills and boosted their confidence.

Emma said: “They have built their confidence and character by hosting events and speaking publicly in order to raise money for this experience.

“The Scouts have been taken to London, to music festivals and other crowded places to learn how to tolerate the conditions of the jamboree.”

She said the end of the jamboree will be an emotional moment for the Scouts as they have been fundraising for the event for two years now and formed strong friendships.

Since 1920, the World Scout Jamboree has been held and Korea will be the 25th time Scouts from different nations have met.

More than 40,000 Scouts from all over the world will gather in Korea for the 25 World Scout Jamboree. The World Scout Jamboree is a World Organization of the Scout Movement.