NI scouts mark 100th anniversary

There are about 120 Northern Ireland scouts taking part

Northern Ireland scouts are taking part in the 21st World Scout Jamboree, marking the 100th anniversary of the movement's founding.

About 40,000 young people from around the world are at the 12-day event at Hylands Park near Chelmsford, Essex.

There are about 120 Northern Ireland scouts taking part, along with 12 leaders.

Sean Price, a scout from Belfast, said the atmosphere at the event was "brilliant".

"It is just unbelievable how 40,000 people can come together from all over the world," he said.

"We are doing different activities and just meeting everybody - you could spend the whole day just speaking to people from other countries."

Sean said the scout movement was very progressive and was not stuck in the past.

"It is brilliant how the scouts can connect with the needs of new people."

A "tent town" is housing boys and girls from more than 160 countries on the 300-hectare site.

About 40,000 young people from around the world are at the 12-day event

The Scouting Movement was founded by Lord Robert Baden-Powell in 1907, and the first camp was set up on Brownsea Island in Dorset.

One of the Northern Ireland leaders, Don McEvoy, said it was great to meet like-minded people from so many different countries.

"From that, you get a boost about what we are doing and how it is working," he said.

"The benefit of seeing these young people develop from four right through to 20 is fantastic - anyone who gets involve would realise that very quickly.

"I would encourage anyone to come forward to help out in any of the organisations - not just the scouts."