High Wycombe Scout Volunteers selected to represent the UK at the World Scout Jamboree in Korea

Gareth Edwards and Ben Pease. (Image supplied by Buckinghamshire Scouts)

Two High Wycombe Scout Volunteers have been selected to represent the UK at the World Scout Jamboree in Korea.

Gareth Edwards and Ben Pease are two of 950 adult volunteers that have been selected to represent the UK and help deliver next year’s World Scout Jamboree, as part of the International Service Team (IST).

The Korean Jamboree will be largest Scout camp to be held since the start of the Covid pandemic with over 3000 young people and 950 adult volunteers from the UK to take part. The International Service Team (IST) provides young people from across the world skills for life.

The Jamboree will see 50,000 young people come together for a skills, cultural and adventure festival in the sensational and scenic South Korea.

In the summer of 2023, Ben and Gareth will be part of a multinational team of adults who are volunteering to spend their summer holiday helping young people have an adventure of a lifetime, whilst thinking about global issues in a new light.

The 6,000 strong IST are there to make the Jamboree happen, undertaking a variety of roles to give young people from around the world a once in a lifetime experience. This could be planning and delivering activities for thousands of participants every day, or providing key services such as medical, catering, and infrastructure. The IST are the unsung heroes that will make a difference for tens of thousands of international Scouts next summer.

Through being a part of the IST, Ben and Gareth will have the opportunity to not only pass on their skills to young people but also develop personally. They will gain a greater insight into global issues, whilst making lasting friendships with adult volunteers from around the globe.

Between now and July 2023, Ben and Gareth will be supporting their local unit of young people that are attending the World Scout Jamboree, as well as helping Scouts ‘draw their dream’. This will include spending time on personal development and using their journey to Korea to inspire others in the local area.

Gareth, aged 19, said: ‘I’m a film student and I hope to be able to document the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea to inspire others. I’ve never been to Asia before and it’s going to be an incredible adventure.‘

Ben, also aged 19, said: ‘Scouting has been a huge part of my life. Going to the World Scout Jamboree is going to give me the opportunity to meet people from nearly every country in the world. It’s difficult to picture tents for 50,000 members of Scouts and I’m really looking forward to seeing it in real life.‘

UK Chief Scout Bear Grylls, said: ‘Congratulations to Ben and Gareth and all the other adult volunteers who have been selected to support this adventure! World Scout Jamborees only happen every four years and tens of thousands of Scouts from across the world attend each one. Young people could not take part in these life changing events without the support of adult volunteers like Ben and Gareth.

Over the last couple of years adult volunteers have played an important part in holding our communities together. Now is their chance to have an adventure. I say #Goodforyou to all those volunteers who want to be part of this adventure.‘

*Source of article : Press release from Buckinghamshire Scouts.