Two Scout Volunteers from Aberystwyth have been selected to represent the UK at the World Scout Jamboree in Korea

Ifan Blake, 17, and Jen Savage, 23, have been selected to play a key role in delivering skills for life at the largest Scout Jamboree to be held in South Korea during 2023.

The Korean Jamboree will be largest Scout camp to be held since the start of the Covid pandemic.

Ifan Blake and Jen 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 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, Ifan and Jen 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, Ifan and Jen 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, Ifan and Jen 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.

Ifan Blake said: “Through scouting I have learnt to work as a community by developing countless teamwork and leadership skills. I have joined the IST team as I can carry forward experiences and culture from my local town and share it globally, and in turn, bring other cultures back to my town. I am born and raised in Wales and therefore speak Welsh, which is an uncommon skill that I can bring to the rest of the world.”

Jen Savage said: “In Scouting I have gained confidence and independence that has allowed me to reach my potential and become a better person. At the Jamboree I hope to make global friends and learn about different cultures from around the world. I’m really excited about attending the Jamboree because of the wide collection of people that you can meet and learn from”

UK Chief Scout Bear Grylls, said: “Congratulations to Ifan and Jen 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 Ifan and Jen.”