A group of Isle of Wight Scouts are in South Korea for the 25th World Scout Jamboree - the largest Scout camp to be held since Covid-19, with over 40,000 young people from across the world taking part.

The 14-18 year olds are among over 3,240 Scouts from the UK who have flown out for the celebration. They were waved off from East Cowes on Friday, July 28.

Accompanied by a small group of adult volunteers, the Islanders are in SaeManGeum, South Korea - around 200km south of the capital, Seoul.

Most are part of Unit 63, joining up with Scouts from Hampshire, until the camp ends on August 12.

Isle of Wight County Press: From the Isle of Wight to South Korea.From the Isle of Wight to South Korea. (Image: Google.)

Meanwhile two of the group are attending as part of the International Service Team (IST).   

The Jamboree is a skills, cultural and adventure festival and it will give participants the chance to meeting thousands of other Scouts, share skills and campaign for change on key world issues.

Harry Taylor, an Island Explorer Scout, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity and I’m really looking forward to meeting so many different Scouts and learning new skills."   

Lily Blake, also an Explorer Scout said: "This is a huge but exciting undertaking for all of us - a once in a lifetime experience."

Isle of Wight County Press:

Dave Simpson, county commissioner for Isle of Wight Scouts said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for these Scouts - one of the largest contingents we have sent to a World Scout Jamboree. We’re grateful to everyone who has supported the participants."

The cost of attending the World Jamboree and the associated training is £3,995 per head and scouts have been busy fundraising over the past 18 months. 

Participants have paid at least 50 per cent of the cost themselves.   

After leaving the Island, the group spent a night in Winchester before flying to South Korea via Dubai.

They are due to return on August 18.