A PAIR of youngsters preparing for a trip of a lifetime have been sharing their knowledge on the Land of the Rising Sun.

Samuel Breaks, 14, and Bethany Mansell, 15, were selected as part of the Dorset Brownsea Unit to represent their country at the World Scout Jamboree in Japan this July.

The will spend three weeks in Japan, including 12 nights camping at the Jamboree site with 40,000 scouts from around the world.

They will also spend three nights in Tokyo and three nights in the Fukouka region, where they will stay in pairs with Japanese scouting families.

Budmouth College student Samuel and Thomas Hardye School pupil Bethany have so far raised around £3,000 each through a range of fundraising activities including supermarket bag packs, quiz nights, street fayre stalls, coffee mornings, raffles, Easter egg hunts and selling badges and wrist bands.

The pair are grateful to everyone who has supported them so far and were particularly keen to thank the Weymouth East Scout Group, the Sutton Poyntz Street Fayre committee, The Clare Clements Fund and the Preston Village Farmers Market.

Part of the idea of the Jamboree is for those attending to share their experiences with other Scouts in the local area and Samuel and Bethany led Beavers, Cubs and Scouts sessions based on a Japan theme.

Those taking part enjoyed learning about Japan's culture and customs, making Nutella sushi, tasting seaweed and miso soup, chopstick games and making peace cranes.

One Scout who was involved in the sessions said: "I loved the banana and Nutella sushi and I managed to pick up lots of Maltesers with my chopsticks!"

Samuel said he can't wait for the trip and was delighted to share the knowledge from his research so far with others.

He said: "The Jamboree is a fantastic opportunity to be involved in and it's great to be able to share it with Weymouth East Scout Group.

"Even the Beavers as young as five got lots out of our session and were able to use the evening to work towards their global challenge badge."

Samuel added: "The fundraising has been great fun and I've made lots of new friends within the Dorset Brownsea Unit that I will be travelling to Japan with.

"We have been attending training camps together since our selection in October 2013, one was in London where we went to China town for dinner!

"Our kit bags have recently arrived and we are collecting small gifts to take over with us to share with other scouts and the Japanese families. "

Any local organisations or individuals who want to support Samuel in his fundraising efforts can also contact his mum Sarah on 07769 690111.

Anyone interested in supporting Bethany in her fundraising efforts can call 01305 835555.