THREE Stourbridge Scouts have joined up with 30,000 others from across the world to be part of the 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Japan.

After months of planning, preparation and anticipation, Kingswinford’s Harry Halford and Wollaston’s Ed Cook and Greg McArthur – who is celebrating his 17th birthday while out in Japan – has arrived in Kirara-hama to experience a trip of a lifetime.

The trio arrived in Japan earlier this week in time for the event’s opening ceremony, which featured a sea of young people flying a rainbow of flags from almost every country in the world.

Greg said: “It’s amazing to have my 17th birthday at the jamboree. I’m having a great time.

“The Jamboree is such an amazing experience and I never thought you could see so many countries in one day.

“Today I’ve been in the culture zone, doing activities from all over the world and learning about the cultures. I’m looking forward to meeting people from all over the world and making new friends.”

Stourbridge News:

Greg McArthur, of Wollaston, will celebrate his 17th birthday while out in Japan.

Throughout the coming weeks, thousands of Scouts will be camping, living and working together in Japan, while completing a number of fun and thoughtful activities.

Ed added: “We are camping next to Scouts from Brazil and Japan so it’s going to be great communicating with them, learning about their customs and cultures and trying their food and also talking to them about our customs, cultures and food.”

Following three days in Tokyo, in which the capital will be taken over by young people getting to know each other, seeing the sights and taking part in traditional cultural activities, the Stourbridge Scouts travel to the Jamboree site near Yamaguchi City in the South of Japan by bullet train.