Scouts from Poole travel to South Korea for Jamboree

Aaron Frampton and Matilda Phipps arrived at Heathrow to begin their journey to east Asia for the 25th World Scout Jamboree – where scouts from 158 countries come together to promote unity.

The 17-year-olds from Poole are among 4,500 other youngsters from across the UK to take part in the event which happens every four years.

The Scouts heading to the Jamboree will explore Seoul for three days and visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) – where they will see the original demarcation line between North Korea and South Korea made at the end of the Second World War.

Aaron said: “I have an interest in history, so going to the DMZ will be a great cultural and historical insight into the differences going on between the north and south.

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“It will be an eye-opening experience that not many 17-year-olds can say they have done.

“If I could bring some new recipes home from other countries and cultures that would be a bonus and something I can share with my family on my return so they can have a taste of the culture I experienced.”

Scouts in South Korea (Image: The Scouts)

Matilda added: “Korea is going to be amazing, I am so looking forward to trying all the vegetarian food.

“For the culture swap day we are treating the other contingents to a day of tea and rhubarb and custard sweets.”

Chief Scout Bear Grylls said: “This year 4,500 young people from the UK and 40,000 others from nearly every country on the planet are coming together to take on new adventures, make lifelong friendships and experience this once in a lifetime opportunity.

“The theme of the Jamboree this year is to ‘draw your dream’, representing our willingness to accept young people’s ideas and opinions, and create an opportunity for them to make their Jamboree dreams come true.

“I’m so proud to be a part of a movement that puts young people first by helping almost half a million people develop skills for life.”