Teen to climb Everest equivalent for scout trip
BBCA teenager who has been chosen to join tens of thousands of scouts in Poland is scaling the equivalent of Mount Everest at his local climbing centre to fund the trip.
Sam is among 36 scouts from Gloucestershire who competed for their place to meet others from around the world at the World Scout Jamboree in 2027.
To get there, the 13-year-old is required to fundraise £3,500 and so will climb 304m (1,000ft) one day every month until September at the 270 Climbing Park in Bentham.
His father Alan said he was "very proud" of what his son, who first joined the beavers at a young age, has achieved.
The jamboree - or festival - gathers young scouts from around the world every four years and about 50,000 scouts are expected to attend the event in Gdańsk in 2027.
While there, they will camp outdoors and have a chance to take part in activities such as skating, white-water rafting and climbing.
Sam, who is an avid climber, will take on his challenge from January until September and explained he will have until 2027 to raise the rest of the money.
"I'm the first person from my individual scout group to ever be selected to go," he said.
"On the selection day, I got scored on team-building activities. There was a lot of pressure, but by the sounds of it I have done well. That's really amazing.
"Normally I'm quite anti-social, but I definitely came out of my shell for that day and I'm trying to get to know people in the Gloucestershire contingent as well.
"I'm really looking forward to it."
Alan said: "Climbing is definitely his thing, I'm a more traditional sportsman.
"Sometimes Samuel likes to be by himself, so being part of this group activity is really good.
"I'm incredibly proud."
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