FIVE scouts from Potters Bar and District are off to Scandinavia.

For they have been selected to join up with the Hertfordshire contingent of 72 young people and eight leaders going to the 22nd World Scout Jamboree at Rinkaby in Sweden in July and August 2011.

The five – Andrew Marshall, 15; Emily Bannin and Christopher Prince, both 14; and Annabelle Milner and Jodie Roberts, aged 13 – were selected to represent the district at a selection day.

They were judged on their scouting skills, leadership, ability to integrate with other people and to show initiative in problem solving.

The scouts realise they will be ambassadors not only for British Scouting but for Hertfordshire and Potters Bar as well.

They said that they want to spread the magic atmosphere generated at a jamboree back into local scouting on their return and are looking forward to the challenges and adventures that lie ahead for them.

Between now and next July, the five will spend time with the other Hertfordshire scouts and their leaders preparing for the biggest adventure of their scouting lives.

As well as the training, they have the task of raising the money required to pay for the trip.

Already the scouts and their families have formed a fundraising team to find exciting and innovative ways to raise the money they need.

They are looking for local sponsors who will become “Jamboree Mates”.

In return for help with their efforts, the scouts will keep the sponsors informed of their progress, send them a postcard home from the jamboree and will give a report on their adventures when they get home.

Their first “Mate” is photographer Saraya Cortaville, who kindly donated a session at her studio in Barnet to give the youngsters some high quality images for their publicity materials.

“We had a great time at the studio. It was very kind of Saraya to donate her time for us,” said Jodie on behalf of the scouts.

* If you would like to become a Jamboree Mate, contact Gordon Marshall on 01707 856947.