It will be an experience of a lifetime and a chance to meet and make friends with other young adults from around the world.

Thetford & Brandon Times: Elizabeth Wright is raising money ahead of her trip to the World Scout Jamboree in USA next year.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018Elizabeth Wright is raising money ahead of her trip to the World Scout Jamboree in USA next year.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

But to attend the World Scout Jamboree 2019 in the USA, Thetford teenager Elizabeth Wright has to raise at least £3,495 towards the trip.

The 12-day adventure, at Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in West Virginia, will bring scouts together from around 140 countries.

The focus will be on leadership, friendship and sustainability and Elizabeth said there will be a number of exciting activities.

The 15-year-old will be one of 18 attendees to represent Norfolk at the camp.

She was selected from 200 applicants and will be the only scout from the town to attend.

She said: “I applied to go because I heard someone talking about when they went and I thought it was something I really wanted to do.

“It is so amazing to be picked and the trip is going to be amazing.”

So far the teenager, who started in the Brownies before joining the scouts at 11, has raised £600 through her delivery round and a personal donation.

She has planned a non-uniform day at her school, Thetford Grammar, and will sell food at the school’s film club.

She will also take part in bag packing and will be co-running a tombola at a village fete next month.

As an added motivation to raise the money, some of what she raises will help to fund the trip for scouts from less developed countries.

“I want to prove I can raise the money,” she said. “I think it is going to be really hard.”

As well as the jamboree Elizabeth will also get the opportunity to go on a visit to an American city.

She said: “I am looking forward to meeting other people and it will be a chance to make friends with people I would not necessarily be friends with and it will be a different experience.”

On being a Thetford explorer Scout she said: “There are loads of activities and you can do loads of different things. From swimming one week to knife sharpening the next. And the leaders are really enthusiastic.”

To find out more about Elizabeth’s trip and to sponsor her visit her fundraising page.