Epsom and Kingston Scouts adventuring at World Scout Jamboree in USA

Around 5,000 scouts from the UK joined tens of thousands of others from around the world for the festival, which is being co-hosted by delegations from Mexico, Canada and the United States.

Among them were 17-year-old Scout Dom Dawson from Epsom, and Kingstonian Scouts Luca Viani (14), Anna Joyce (14), Anna Ward (15) and Amy McGrath (17).

Dom, who uses a wheelchair, said he was excited to get to grips with the mountain-going trike that was shipped out to West Virginia specially to help him take part in some of the mountain-based activities taking place in the rural US state.

"This camp is definitely tops them all!" Dom said of his time spent in the great outdoors at the Jamboree so far.

Epsom Scout Dom Dawson in WV

"I'm looking forward to using my mountain trike wheelchair that was shipped out for me so that I can get around by myself."

The Epsom Scout added he was excited to "see what Scouting is like in different countries and cultures.

"One of the things I want to do whilst I'm here is meet another disabled scout from a different country to see how they get on scouting back home.

"My unit really look after me and always help me where needed," Dom said.

His sentiments were echoed by the Kingston contingent, who threw themselves into learning about Scouting and cultures worldwide from the diverse array of youths who travelled to the US from all corners of the globe for the festival.

"The cultural celebration day has been fantastic, I have met scouts from all over the world, tried their food and learnt about their customs and culture.

"My family is Italian and I would really like to meet an Italian contingent unit and brush up on my Italian and try new foods which I have not tried before," Luca from Kingston said.

Kingstonians Anna Joyce and Anna Ward join fellow Scout Alex Kennedy in WV

Fellow Kingstonian Amy meanwhile commented on the scale of the Jamboree, which is hosting around 45,000 Scouts from all over the world this week, and its environmentally concious focus.

"My first impression of the Jamboree is that it’s absolutely huge! There are so many people and so many cultures, you can learn so much.

"Here at the Global Development Village, we’re learning all about single use plastics and why they’re damaging to the environment — it’s really important that we try not to use them, as it affects our wildlife and oceans," she said.

Scout Volunteer Event Instructor, Dave Breakwell from Kingston told organisers that the concept behind the Jamboree — of uniting Scouts from all different cultures and creeds, helped make the festival so special.

"They are special events because everyone is equal and you start to realise we’re all the same and have more in common than we have differences," he said.