EXPLORER Scout and Young Leader Adam Hanson enjoyed a trip of a lifetime to the International Scout Jamboree in Japan.
Adam, 15, in Year 11 at Haslingden High School said the experience really brought home to him how large the fellowship of Scouting is and how many people across the world are involved in the movement.
He said: “You learn that there are 28 million people involved in Scouting in the world but you don’t really see it – that is until you go to the Jamboree and there are 35,000 Scouts there from 160 different countries.”
His adventure began with an 18-hour flight from Manchester to Tokyo with a stop over in Dubai.
While staying in the capital he got to visit the Imperial Palace, which although it is a popular tourist attraction he said you could hardly see the building through the trees.
He also went to Joyopolis, a sort of theme park based around arcade games and then on to the Jamboree
Adam said: “The camping at the jamboree was split into four sections and we went to Hiroshima and some representatives from each country also got to go on a Peace Day.
“I met lots of people from different countries and I managed to swap six neckerchiefs and also bought a couple. When you walked from one camp to another everyone was friendly.
“I was supported by Manchester Road Methodist Church who raised money towards my trip and I will be giving a talk on my experiences.”
Adam is an Explorer Scout with Seat Naze and a Young Leader with 38th Rossendale Scouts, Cloughfold.
He will also be talking to the Scout group about the Jamboree.
Adam wants to be a police officer and said the experience of mixing with other people from different countries would prove useful.