OVER the weekend nine Explorer Scouts and two leaders from Freespirit ESU in Torfaen attended the 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Japan.

The group joined other members from across South East Wales to form the Kimono Dragons Contingent.

They set off on Saturday morning bound for Tokyo from where they dispersed to a number of locations for a couple of days prior to the main Jamboree opening on Tuesday.

The group, which is in Cwmbran, have been sampling Japanese life by attending a high school, playing mallet golf and making SOBA (noodles).

The World Scout Jamboree is a gathering of thirty thousand Scouts and Guides from almost every country in the world who, for ten days live together, experience each other’s cultures, take part in exciting activities and have an amazing adventure.

The first World Scout Jamboree took place in London in 1920 and has continued since. The Jamboree is held every four years and gives Scouts from across the world the chance to join in an exciting programme of activities.

Between July 28 and August 8, 4,000 Scouts and Guides from across the UK will be joining others from around the world in Kirara-hama, Japan.