ACROSS the globe scouts are busy preparing for their trip to the 23rd World Scout Jamboree and among them is Tavistock's Elysia Hix.

Elysia is among the 45 from Devon who have spent more than 12 months planning, raising funds and training to take part in the greatest adventure of their lifetime — the World Scout Jamboree, which takes place this summer in Japan.

Tavistock College student Elysia has been learning Japanese at school and has had a student from Tokyo staying with her. She has also been fundraising and recently cycled around the Torbay Velopark on a tandem bike, dressed as a duck.

Elysia said: 'I'm so excited about going to Japan. Being chosen to represent 1st Tavistock Scouts is an honour. I'm looking forward to meeting new people, learning about different cultures and visiting the most amazing country!'

Scout leader Nicki Glanville from Unit 22 (Two Little Ducks) said: 'Preparing for this World Scout Jamboree has been a real journey. There has been a lot of planning and hard work. We have had several training camps, including acclimatising in the biodome at the Eden Project, visiting Hyper Japan in London and sushi-making with Yo Sushi. Already they have discovered new friends and have shared new experiences.

'Elysia has worked really hard over the last two years with fundraising and preparing herself for this amazing adventure. We are now in the last few months and the excitement is reaching new heights. If you want to see what Elysia is doing, follow Unit 22 on Facebook by searching Unit 22 Two Little Ducks WSJ 2015.'

Chief scout Bear Grylls said: 'While lots of people know that scouting is all about adventure, they often don't realise that adult volunteers get to do just as much as our young members through their involvement. The World Scout Jamboree is a great example of this. Over the course of the jamboree, scouts will be able to meet people from around the world, take part in amazing adventures and experiences and be challenged to think about global issues in a new light. That is why scouting is one of the greatest youth movements on earth and why I am so proud to be a part of it.'

Between the opening and closing ceremonies, participants will have the opportunity to take part in hundreds of activities focused on discovering new cultures, the environment, sustainable development and global development issues.

Taking a break from the vibrant main jamboree site with its 30,000 participants, the scouts will take part in a moving visit to the centre of Hiroshima — where they will mix with groups from almost every nation on earth to experience the solemn and reflective atmosphere created in its Peace Park.

The scouts will visit the homes of other scouts in Nagano Prefecture before attending the jamboree, which runs until August 8. They will then visit Tokyo for a short time before returning home to Devon.