Twenty-three youngsters from across Norfolk and the Waveney Valley have been selected to travel to the World Scout Jamboree in Kiara-Hama, Japan, and take part in a once in a lifetime adventure.
The teenagers will be joining 40,000 other scouts from over 150 different nations, spending two weeks taking part in a series of projects designed to develop a global understanding of issues facing young people from around the world, as well as staying with a Japanese family and exploring Tokyo.
Thirteen-year-old Lewis Morfitt from Beccles and 13-year-old Mia Clack from Halesworth, will be representing the Waveney Valley having both been chosen at a selection day at Nacton near Ipswich, where they had to take part in a day of trials and activities along with more than 100 other scouts from across Suffolk.
Mia, who attends Bungay High School said: 'I was so excited when I found out I had been chosen I fell to the floor screaming.
'My dad has been a scout for a long time and he is our scout leader so I have always had an interest in that sort of thing and I've never really had the opportunity to go out of Europe.'
In order to take part in the jamboree, which is held every four years, each scout must raise £3,300 - a third of which is a solidarity payment which will go towards helping fellow scouters from some of the world's poorest nations to attend.
Lewis, who is part of the 2nd Beccles Scout Group, said: 'I am really happy to have been chosen and I feel proud that I am representing the whole of Beccles.
'It is a lot of money I have got to raise but once I have done it I will feel like I have really achieved something.'
The 23rd World Scout Jamboree will be held in July 2015, and projects will include working with the United Nations and other NGO's on disaster mitigation strategies, paying homage to the victims of the Hiroshima bombing during the 70th anniversary commemorations, and developing a wider sense of the scientific advancements that Japan has offered to the world.
Mia, added: 'I'm really looking forward to the cultural experience, learning about the Japanese and meeting scouts from all around the world.
'I'm really interested in the Second World War too so I'm looking forward to finding out more about the Hiroshima bombing.'
Both teenagers have been busy planning fundraising events to cover the cost of their trip including cakes sales, bag packs at local supermarkets and a quiz night, as well as receiving support from their scout groups and leaders, friends and family.
The first World Scout Jamboree took place in London in 1920 and since then has continued to unite scouts and guides with messages of peace and global understanding.
For more information visit www.worldscoutjamboree2015.co.uk
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