VENTURER Jessica Sainsbury enjoys the chance to explore activities she cannot easily do at home.
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Jessica is preparing to be ready for anything from snorkelling and white-water rafting to the world's largest indoor climbing gym and Disneyland in an epic North America adventure.
The Damascus College year 10 student is set to attend the World Scouting Jamboree mid-year in the United States with an extra week's scout camp to follow in Calgary, Canada.
"I'm really excited for new experiences, meeting new friends and experiencing a different culture," Jessica said.
I really like the ability to do thing you can't do at home and doing them in an inclusive environment.
Jessica, a member of the First Mount Clear Venturers, saw the Jamboree in a magazine advertisement and applied with endorsement from her district scout leader.
She will join more than 600 scouts from across Australia and almost 50,000 scouts worldwide for the international jamboree. While the jamboree is based in West Virginia, the program also features time in Los Angeles and the nation's capital, Washington.
Jessica joined Scouts about three years ago and achieved a pioneer badge before progressing to the youth-led Venturers six months ago. Gradually, Jessica is working towards her Queen Scout Award which requires 250 hours' of community service and activity.
Outdoors adventure is part of the fun in Venturers for Jessica, who enjoys also adapting other lessons for school.
"You learn a lot of skills for life and school in Scouts. We have debates and mock interviews but fun nights as well," Jessica said. "It's a good all-round experience."
It is no different on jamboree - Jessica can hardly wait to explore US history and politics in Washington.
World Scout Jamboree will be Jessica's first venture into travelling in North America.
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