A NEWQUAY scout is on a trip of a lifetime representing the UK at an international scouting event in Portugal.

Benny Webster, an early year’s practitioner, is with nearly 500 UK scouts at World Scout Moot. Nine thousand scouts from across the world, aged between 18 and 25 years old, are gathered at the event.

The adventure began in Tejo Park in Lisbon on July 25 and will finish in Porto. Benny is immersing herself in Portuguese communities and culture during the jam-packed event. The international scouting event includes a four-day expedition, during which, participants group with scouts from other countries and take one of 100 routes through remote parts of Portugal.

After the expedition, Benny’s group reconvenes with the other participants to have the remaining days filled with scouting activities, international cultural learning and skill development at a camp base in Ovar, before the closing celebration and heading back home.

Benny said: “I’m so excited to meet incredible scouts from all over the world, make tons of new friends, and pick up some awesome skills along the way.

“I can’t wait to dive into different cultures, hear their stories, and really get a feel for what makes each one special. Exploring Portugal will be such an epic part of the journey - I’m ready to discover everything it has to offer.”

This year’s theme of World Scout Moot is ‘engage.’ The event encourages scouts to connect with others and their community through cross-cultural exchange, understanding, and friendship. World Scout Moot not only gives participants their own unique experiences, but the opportunity to embed the skills and internal drive to positively impact the world around them. Opportunities like this continue to be created thanks to the support of the players of People's Postcode Lottery.

Chief scout, Dwayne Fields said: “A massive good luck to Benny and all the UK Scouts who are at the World Scout Moot.

“This is an amazing opportunity to discover yourself and the world around us, while exploring how you can create meaningful change.

“The true international spirit of Scouting will shine through, with so many chances to learn from other Scouts around the world. I know each UK Scout attending will grab the opportunity to create memories, friendships and skills to last a lifetime.

“We know that too many young people today grow up unhappy and worried about their future. Scouts aims to change that. We give young people a chance to belong and a place to be themselves.’’