Morecambe scout represents county in Japan

Michael Wetton at the airport on his way to Japan.

Young Michael Wetton has flown almost 6,000 miles to represent the UK at the 23rd World Scout Jamboree.

For Michael it is an incredible once-in-a -lifetime opportunity and over the past week he has been meeting people from all over the globe, taking part in amazing adventures and being challenged to think about global issues in a new light.

The World Scout Jamboree is an official educational event of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement.

The team of scouts Michael is working with in Japan.

Michael said: “I am having so much fun and haven’t stopped dancing since I got here. I am trying to teach Scouts about living together in peace through dance.

“I have learnt a bit of Japanese and I have used it to make so many new friends from all around the world.

“It is great to see so many young people from different cultures challenging each other and enjoying this once- in-a lifetime adventure  together.”

Michael has also joined the International Service Team, who are the driving force behind the jamboree.

The IST is a multinational collection of adults who have volunteered to spend their summer holiday helping out at the jamboree.

They number 6,000 in total with nearly 1,000 coming from right across the UK.

Some are instructors planning and running activities for the 30,000 jamboree participants.

Chief Scout Bear Grylls said: “While lots of people know that Scouting is all about adventure, they often don’t realise  that adult volunteers get to do just as much as our young members through their involve- ment.

“The World Scout Jamboree is a great example of this.

“Scouting is one of the greatest youth movements on earth and I am so proud to be part of it.”