Scouts from the Czech Republic are visiting their Newark counterparts as part of an international exchange.
May Cudlipp, 15, of 6th Newark Sea Scouts, with Michal Safra, 18, who is among 40 Scouts from the Czech Republic camping at Kelham Hall. 260710JT11-8
Forty Scouts from Kolin are camping in the grounds of Kelham Hall until August 8, along with 80 Scouts from the Newark area — 40 this week and 40 next.
The visitors will take part in a programme of activities that took a year to plan, including roller-blading and swimming at Southwell Leisure Centre, water activities at Farndon, a visit to Newark Castle and walking, biking, climbing and caving.
The deputy county commissioner for Nottinghamshire Scouts, Mr Matt Rooney, said: “Our visitors have been thrown straight in. It took them 11/2 days to get here by coach and now they have had to learn how to use our Ordnance Survey map system. Everybody is getting along really well though.”
The exchange programme started in 1994, with the Scouts taking it in turns to visit each other’s country.
Last year 30 Scouts from Newark visited Kolin for two weeks.
May Cudlipp, 15, of 6th Newark Sea Scouts, said: “It is good that we can all get along. I like to learn about what the differences are between here and the Czech Republic, like the food and the language.”
Michal Safra, 18, of the Czech Scouts, is visiting Nottinghamshire for the second time.
He said: “I like coming here. The people here are friendly and you make friends. I enjoy travelling and seeing new cultures.”
Groups from Collingham, Coddington, Balderton, Norwell and the 6th 7th and 9th Newark groups are taking part.
The district commissioner, Mr Richard Moyses, said: “We are really proud of where we come from so we are pleased to be able to show our Czech counterparts all of the places and things that make our community so special.”
