Aafrin Shaikh from West Wales takes part in Scout Skills Festival in West Virginia

Aafrin Shaikh from West Wales is one of the 5,000 Scouts from the UK joining 40,000 others taking part in the World Scout Jamboree, a skills and adventure festival happening right now in wild and wonderful West Virginia. Gethin is meeting 45,000 Scouts from nearly every country in the world – sharing his skills while enjoying high adventure in this picturesque part of North America.

The Jamboree offers young people the chance to learn new skills that they can use in other aspects of their life and taste high adventure.

The World Scout Jamboree is the culmination of two years of work for the leaders, which has involved camps and team building events preparing the young people for living on a humid site in West Virginia amongst Scouts from nearly every country in the world.

Aafrin, 16, said: “At the ‘World Point’ I’ve been able to learn about different cultures and languages which has made m appreciated being at the jamboree even more. Being here has enabled me to meet more people and get to know them in an open environment.”

 The event was opened by UK Chief Scout Bear Grylls, who said: ‘World Scout Jamborees only happen every four years and tens of thousands of Scouts attend each one. They are incredible festivals of peace, friendship and adventure. Young people will make friends for life with people from over 150 countries, experience different food, language and culture while learning new skills. It will be the journey of a lifetime. 

 ‘The 2019 Jamboree, jointly hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, is set to be one of the biggest and most exciting yet. The theme is “Unlock a new world” – focusing especially on how we can create a sustainable world together.’