A YOUNG adventurer is preparing to embark on a “cool” trip which will take him thousands of miles from home.

Rowan Hopkins, 16, a scout from Colchester, who will soon be heading off to the World Scout Jamboree, 6,000-miles away in South Korea. 

The prestigious global meeting, which will be attended by 4,500 UK based scouts, occurs every four years for those aged 14-18.

Scouts are selected to participate two years before they leave to give them time to test their fundraising skills by raising funds for their trip.

This year marks the 25th World Scout Jamboree, where scouts from all across the globe will join together to promote unity, community and togetherness. 

During the trip, scouts from the UK will learn new skills, experience new cultures, and make international bonds with fellow scouts who may not share the same mother tongue but do hold the same values as one another.

Rowan said: “I’m interested in political history so for me to get a chance to go the DMZ is such an opportunity.

"I speak some Spanish as well, so meeting the Spanish Scouts will be so cool so I can practice.

"I’m hoping I’ll get to do some water sports on camp too.”