Matt's 21st World Scout Jamboree Blog

Good times must end….

2007-08-08T05:44:00.000-07:00

The time that all of have been dreading this week has finally come... tomorrow all the sub camps are taken down as troops from around the world return to where they came from, back to the ‘real’ world.

The last two weeks have been filled with sunshine (mostly), friendship and once in a lifetime experiences. All those here can walk away saying not only have been at the 21st World Scout Jamboree, but they saw Scouting’s Sunrise creating a new chapter in Scouting’s history.
As evening fell everyone gathered in the arena for the last party of the Jamboree, the closing ceremony. Expectations running high, tissues at the ready, preparing for the eventful and heart-melting ceremony that had to happen eventually.

As with all the other ceremonies throughout the Jamboree, we were not disappointed. The show was a riot of colour, music and plenty of reminiscence of the last ten days. The highlight had to be with the final rendition of ‘Jambo’, where literally everybody in the 40,000 strong crowd sang along with the cast and the ‘Adventure’.

But don’t worry. This is not goodbye! There is always Sweden in 2011, many of the friends made here will be there too, whether as participants again, for those that are lucky to still be young enough, or as members of the service team, for those who just never grow up!
And as a final goodbye, the people here would like to thank everyone involved who made it happen, every un-sung hero who is there, in the background, working throughout the night.

Those not need needing glory, but needing a thank you anyway.

From the media team here at the World Scout Jamboree, we thank you and say goodbye and good luck.

The end is in sight

2007-08-07T00:21:00.000-07:00

There is one day left of this amazing Jamboree. On the 8th of August after the closing, all the scouts need to go home.

“I’ll miss this Jam a lot, especially the atmosphere cause everybody is helpful and nice, always asking how I’m doing.” said Yaelle Jacobs, 15, Belgium. Some people want to stay forever. Roos van Zeggelen, 14, Netherlands says with an unhappy face, “It’s a shame that everything is going so fast, we had two years of preparation and it’s almost over.

” Liesbeth Spiessens, 16, Belgium agrees and adds: “There are actually two sides, because I’d like to stay but I’d also like to go home. I miss the amount and taste of Belgium food. ” The most beautiful memory for them will be the amazing number of different people who do scouting. “We look as one, although we are with 40,000

” Fortunately there are two full days left to enjoy. Zablon Samba, 16, from Kenya has made 300 friends, and he still thinks it’s not enough. “I’m going to make more friends; we’re here with 40.000, so I’ll be very busy these days.

” He learned a lot from this Jamboree about the different cultures in the global village, and played many new games at world villages. He enjoyed making clay woggles and scarfs of recycled materials with the scouts in Kenya too, as he saw at Trash. He’d also like to give a presentation and teach about AIDS, if he has time left. “BP said: “Have fun in this jolly world” so that’s the thing I’m going to do for certain.

” Exchanging badges is the thing Pok-him Ho,14, from Hong Kong likes to do these days. “I also want to visit Hylands House.” He likes it here at the Jamboree, also because the “air is cleaner than in Hong Kong.

” The parents of Rens van Grunsven, IST, will come to visit the Jamboree. “It’s true that this Jamboree is almost finished, but others will come and enjoy it too. Till the end of this one, it surely will be fun.” The Jamboree draws to a close, but everyone has happy memories to look back on, new friends to keep in touch with and has the best scout quote ever…

I was there at the 21st World Scout Jamboree! So there is no need to be disheartened.

Wow - what a ride!

2007-08-06T11:21:00.001-07:00

One thing that makes this jamboree unique is the enormous choice of games and workshops people can experience in World Village, Terra Ville and Aqua Ville. There is even a whole cinema scouts from Austria brought along. But itís not a normal cinema.

You take a platform of about 700 kilos, 4 automobile springs and equipment of about 1.5 tons in total, a movie about Austria and 10 committed Austrians. And what you get is a cinema experience for all senses.

Imagine you are in a cinema and you could feel the movement and sense the smells of the pictures on screen. SenseAction cinema makes it possible. It was great. This cinema is different with all the movement and smells. The concept is very good. Well Done!, said one of the participants of the jamboree, Luke McMaster from Bedfordshire, after enjoying a ride.

On the moving platform there are 18 seats and the crew of 10 crazy Austriansí offer 10 rides a day, each lasting for almost half an hour. The run on the tickets is enormous. Every day we are booked out in about a quarter of an hour. So we hand out tickets for the times for each presentation, explained Thomas Gassner.

The cinema has been on tour on national camps in Austria from 2001 onwards. So they wanted to have it at the jamboree at any price. Even the film was edited especially for this occasion (almost) all by them. We wanted to make a film about Austria. So we took the usual stereotypes and cliches and tried to overdo them in a satirical way. And I think we have made a great job because people laugh at the right timesî, announced Florian Edlhofer, the creator of the film.

Every day I go to bed, totally exhausted but with a smile on my face because I made so many children happy, groaned Berhard Br¸ckl after he gave everything jumping up and down the bars to make the whole platform move to the pictures.

World Scout Centre Promotes Peace

2007-08-05T12:41:00.000-07:00

At the heart of the World Scout Centre is the display and exhibition area for Scouting around the world.

World Scouting presents broad themes encompassing a culture of peace, including gifts for peace, education for all and reducing the digital divide."It's a small world here. We can see an entire world in one place," says Tabouche Sourmia, 16, of Algeria.

The centre offers exciting and interactive activities where Scouts can send peace messages through drawings, photos and videos. In one drawing, Scouts from Russia describe the world as beautiful. The best are then uploaded to the World Scouting site, www.scout.org. World Scouting is grouped into six continental regions: Africa, Arab, Asia-Pacific, Eurasia, Europe and Inter-america. Around the regions, there are 28 million Scouts in 215 countries and territories.

Among regional flagship projects at the centre is the Amahoro Amani of Africa, a peace education project that combats ethnic prejudice in the continent's Great Lakes Region.The Arab Region sees a project for one million working children in Egypt as its paramount undertaking. Sea Scouts in Egypt help more than 1,500 children in improving their working conditions.

Asia-Pacific Region's peace baton, now on display at the centre, has been held by more than 150,000 people in many countries.As a symbol of worldwide solidarity after the tsunami in 2004, Scouts raised US$800,000 to fund 55 projects. Local Scouts helped victims in worst-hit countries around the Indian Ocean.

Gifts for Peace
At the centre, visitors will find the greatest gifts Scouts can offer to their communities. Many of these projects were launched on the 1st of August.

In 2002, the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) endorsed the idea of creating projects as a meaningful way of celebrating the Scouting centenary. Since then, millions of Scouts in more than 110 countries have risen to the challenge. They created 130 projects focusing mainly on managing conflict without violence, challenging prejudice and encouraging greater solidarity between WOSM and other organizations.

Among the gifts for peace projects:
In Brazil, Scouts educate young people to avoid any firearms, even toy guns. They show ways of resolving conflict through dialogue and compromise.

Canadian Scouts improve cultural differences to reduce racism, and they have created a website called Cultural Connections Collection to promote this.

Scouts in New Zealand raise awareness on skin cancer, combatting obesity, psychological, physical and substance abuse, and the growing problem of young people commiting suicide.

In Slovakia, Scouts are helping the Roma minority by establishing a special group and an educational programme tailored to their community's needs.

Since the Darfur crisis began in July 2003, Scouts in Sudan are managing camps for internally displaced people. They distribute food and raise awareness on health issues.
Scouts of the World Award

Volunteers and ISTs at the centre enthusiatically explain the Scouts of the World Award. The award prepares young adults for global citizenship in three core themes: environment, development and peace.

At the centre, Scouts can join a debate at the World Scout Forum corner. For those aspiring to be "president of World Scouting", he or she has to convince an audience of their position with a one-minute speech on a specific world issue.

The centre offers other activity areas to discuss the rights of children. Also, don't miss the corner for Rovering and write something about what Rovers do in your country. In many nations, Rovers are Scouting programmes for young people who are 18 to 25 years old.

World Scouting also includes volunteers and leaders. There's an area for volunteers and a special lounge where both groups can relax after a long hard day. That's a way of saying World Scouting cares for everyone.

The road to the Jamboree

2007-08-05T03:32:00.000-07:00

A BBC documentary following the story of two World Scout Jamboree participants, one from Africa and one from the UK, will be screened several times over the next week on BBC1 and BBC News 24.

A filmcrew flew to Mafikeng, the site of the famous siege in 1899-1900 where Baden-Powell defended the town during the Boer War, to interview Scouts there and to film them preparing for the adventure of their lives.

Although the area is famous for its military history, this time the story is about peace, development opportunities and global understanding. There are four Jamboree participants from Mafikeng, some of whom have never left the area.

They are being funded by money raised in Africa and many are from underpriveliged backgrounds. Of the 200 Jamboree participants from South Africa - 70 have almost nothing.

The filming continued this week at the Jamboree site at Hylands Park, Essex, when the UK and Mafikeng participants met. The moving tale of their meeting will be screened several times on BBC1 and News 24.

Day Visitors

2007-08-04T02:30:00.000-07:00

Whilst 40,000 people are able to live the Jamboree everyday, some just visit for a single look around. But they are all enjoying the Jamboree experience.

As part of the project to make the Jamboree experience open to all some 60,000 additional day visitors have been booked in for a day visit.Cubs from 4th Worth (Kenue) in West Sussex decided to make the visit a central part of their summer camp and they’ve not been disappointed. “It was a really good decision, the Cubs have had a truly wonderful day and experiencing it, seeing it and feeling it has been well worth the time and effort because not only have we packed in a day full of activities that we could never had hoped to lay on but we’ve garnered enough programme ideas and contacts to give our programme a international dimension for the next ten years” explained Leader Pauline Moore

The Cubs are equally enthused. As 10 year old Jack Vincent emerges from with yet another completed quiz inside the Honduran tent on world villages, you see a smiling face brimming with new ideas: “I’ve just learnt about the food they eat and tasted it, that’s unbelievable for me, I never even knew the country existed until I came here.

Jack has by now collected 12 stamps and stickers from various different tents but is off to see the Daily show in the main arena. “I’m coming back though; I haven’t been on the funfair rides”. Not funfair rides exactly but the Swedish hand built Viking ship and Ferris wheel.

All the Cubs stick together for lunch taken while the stage show is on, it seems the most practical way of getting them to stop and slow down for an hour. But it’s only temporary respite in the race to get round the sights they can see.

Having wandered through the international tents the Cubs get a chance to play some more traditional games, a group of Indonesian Scouts drift over to join in with them playing croquet on the lawn, they may be used to it but the Indonesians certainly aren’t so Jack and his team are delighted to put one over them.

The Indonesians might have been defeated but that doesn’t stop them helping the clubs identify their flag – one of a series of challenges the Leaders have set for them.

There’s just time for a quick tour of the souvenir shop before they have to depart. Pauline calls later with a message: “Thanks for showing us around, I’m not sure when I last went on a coach with this many sleepy Cubs. We’ll all get some decent rest in tonight. And I’m really hopeful that in the future these Cubs will want the full Jamboree experience, not just in Sweden but beyond that as well.

”But I’m still not sure if Jack ever got his ride on the Ferris wheel

Mangrove Madness

2007-08-04T01:54:00.000-07:00

Maybe one day you were wandering along the path and suddenly heard raucous singing in an unintelligible foreign language, or maybe you were walking and suddenly you had to dodge a bunch of male Scouts dressed as witches prancing around. If that has happened to you, then chances are you were in Mangrove.

As all of its inhabitants know or are coming to realise, Mangrove is one of the craziest places you will ever encounter. As someone once said “The sub camps are supposed to serve as a microcosm for the entire Jamboree” and this is especially true in Mangrove. With over 40 troops speaking more than a dozen languages, Mangrove is truly an international place.

When you enter the sub camp, you will see the sub camp HQ on your left and the showers on the right, followed immediately by the stage and impromptu football pitch. After this you enter the heart of the camp, whose eccentricities include a gigantic replica of the Eiffel tower, erected by a French troop, a small tower-castle created by a group of Hungarian Scouts and numerous other ambitious and ostentatious shows of pioneering skills.

While you are there you should definitely swing by either of the Dutch sites to take a picture of their gigantic wooden ducks or the Swiss, to see their two metre long wooden feet. Also noteworthy are the Japanese with their highly decorated fish-shaped wind socks.

The last thing you should do before you leave is to visit the troops from Puerto Rico and from Dorset. The Puerto Rican troop is actually made up of Scouts from Puerto Rico, The Netherlands, Germany, and the U.K. and is known for constantly yelling at all hours of the day or spontaneously breaking out into song. The troop from Dorset is one of the most spirited troops in the entire sub camp, constantly running around or doing something extremely original, just for the sake of being able to do it. For example, one day one of the troop’s members even painted himself entirely red just because he could.

So in conclusion, if you don’t have anything to do and you’re bored, or just looking to have a good time after your activities have finished, head on over to Mangrove Subcamp in the Tropical Region and you won’t be disappointed.

I'm just doing the job

2007-08-04T01:45:00.000-07:00

One of the invisible jobs at the Jamboree that are noticed only when they aren’t done, is cleaning the toilets and showers. British Donna Doner is a Shift Leader for the team cleaning toilets and showers in the adult camping area. She had applied especially for this job: "I think that it's a really important job and therefore I applied for it. Though I'm their leader I'm working here like one of them." she said with a rag in one hand and a brush in the other.

Bog Squad

Arturo Loza from Bolivia is one of the hard-working members of Donna's team. "I think there are only few who are coming to the Jamboree for cleaning the loos, but I don't complain. This job needs to be done by someone anyway," he said.The cleaning is done by two eight hour shifts a day and each team has certain toilets and showers to be responsible for. "If we are finished earlier than in eight hours, we'll leave then", Arturo continued. In addition to work the team is of course having a lot of fun together and has their own special humour. One sign of this is their name "Bog Squad". The team has decorated its buggy with full-blown vinyl gloves and written its name on those "balloons" on the buggy's roof.

Difficulties along the way

In the beginning of the Jamboree rainy weather and muddy ground were adding extra mess to toilets and showers. Now the teams are facing a different problem, people that are assigned to them but aren't showing up for their shifts. As the job still needs to be done, the others must work even harder.

Also cultural differences in toilet and shower behaviour are complicating teams' work. Donna gives an example that in some cultures people are used to putting the paper into trash instead of into the pan and they have to be advised to act differently. Washing shoes in showers will sooner or later block the drains with mud and grass. Showers must then be closed and that of course lengthens the queues in busy hours.

Luckily the cleaning teams are now receiving support from volunteers from other teams and contingents. "This isn't exciting and I'm not enjoying this but if I had to do it again I would absolutely do it," said Andy Harris who was spending his day off among the members of the UK contingent helping "Bog Squad", yesterday morning.

Thankful to all of them

Donna keeps praising her team as well as all those who have been helping them, "People in my team are amazing, I cannot thank them enough! They are doing this hard job under a great pressure without any complaints," she rejoiced. Donna was glad that others have also noticed their work and are thanking the team when passing by.Why couldn't we all do our part of the job for the "Bog Squad". Let's put paper into pans and walk with muddy shoes. When ever you feel that you could give a hand to the cleaning team, don't hesitate to join them even for only a short moment!

World Press on Scouting's Sunrise

2007-08-04T01:32:00.000-07:00

A new century dawns
From the Sydney Opera House to the peak of Mont Blanc, Scouts around the world have been gathering to celebrate Scouting’s one hundred years of fun and friendship.

With over 28 million Scouts around the world renewing their Promise at 8am local time, Scouting’s Sunrise is biggest and most significant expression of peace and unity the world has ever witnessed. It is the perfect opportunity to look to the past, present and, most importantly, the future of Scouting. Happy Scouting Sunrise!
(Scout Association)

Boy Scouts honor founding with ceremony
Wednesday marked the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts.
On Aug. 1, 1907, Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the movement, blew a Kudu horn at 8 a.m. to begin an experimental camp for 20 boys on Brownsea Island off the coast of England.
Wednesday morning, Scouts all over the world replicated the beginning of that movement by blowing the Kudu horn. The group of 10 atop Mill Mountain included Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Eagle Scouts from the Roanoke Valley.
(Roanoke.com - US)

President urges to obey Scout promise
The President and Chief Scout yesterday called on the Maldivian Scouts to obey the Scout promise and Law and to maintain the spirit. He made the statement in his speech at the function held this morning at the Official Ground to renew the Scout promise on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the World Scout Movement. (Jesus - Germany)

Centenary Scouts go back to where it all began - breakfast on Brownsea
As 28 million members of the Scout Association marked the movement’s centenary, a representative contingent from all over the world celebrated on the island where it began.
(Times Online - UK)

Scouts across the world mark 100 years of trooping
Millions of Scouts will today renew their pledges to celebrate 100 years of the movement at events held at sunrise around the world.

Around 40,000 Scouts in the UK are expected to take part in sunrise events, reaffirming their promise to build a tolerant and peaceful society.
(The Herald - UK)

Still prepared after 100 years
The World Organisation of the Scout Movement marks its first centenary and heralds the start of the second century of its existence with a “scouting sunrise” today. Members of the Scouting Association of Malta gathered on the Granaries, in Floriana, in the early evening yesterday and remained there overnight to renew their scout promise at eight this morning together with the rest of the World Movement.
(Delfi – Lithuania)

Scouts in centenary celebrations
Millions of scouts around the world have renewed their promises in ceremonies to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the movement’s founding.

Brownsea Island, in Poole Harbour, Dorset, where the first camp for 20 boys was held by Robert Baden-Powell in 1907, is the focus of celebrations.

Some 300 scouts from 160 countries have set up camp at the National Trust site. Some 40,000 scouts and leaders from across the world are also at a 12-day jamboree near Chelmsford, in Essex. The Hylands Park event, opened on Saturday by Prince William, is believed to be the biggest event in the history of the Scout Association.
(BBC News - UK)

Happy birthday - Scouts celebrate 100
More than 200 Nelson Scouts were on Wednesday morning among the first in the world to celebrate scouting’s centenary.
(The Nelson Mail – New Zealand)

Facts and Figures
• On Sunrise day, British radio transmitted about 200 reports on the Ceremony.
• On Saturday, we appeared in every mayor newspaper and in most of the regional newspapers in the UK.
• During this Jamboree, we have been front page news in the Daily Telegraph three times so far. Normally, it’s really difficult to get on the front page.
• There was a five minutes report on the Sunrise in the CBBC news round, a British news programme for children.
• Channel 5 covered the whole of Scouting’s Sunrise day.
• CNN broadcast an extensive report on the Sunrise day. It also integrated a lot of Jamboree video material.
• BBC World had a large report on the Sunrise event. More than 148 million people all over the world watch BBC World every day. Most of the audience comes from Asia or America.
• The 21st World Scout Jamboree 2007 has given 272,000 results on Google. For Scouting’s Sunrise there are 42,200 results.
• The official Jamboree site receives almost one million page views per day, three hits per second. • The top stories on thejamboree.org daily attract about 150,000 readers.
• The Promise FM live stream had 22,000 listeners through the whole Jamboree.
• Since January 2007, thejamboree.org has had 30 million page views.
• Most of the reports on this Jamboree are positive.

A Free Hug!

2007-08-03T03:59:00.001-07:00

At the jamboree, you can see a lot of signs which say things such as “Free Hug,” or “Hug Me!” I am very surprised and a little bit shocked because I never see these things in Taiwan.

In most eastern countries, for example Taiwan and Japan, people are usually shy and introvert. Perhaps it is formal or just a kind of culture, but I believe that it makes us always be polite and we hardly hug the people who aren’t our relatives.

This is a new challenge for me, and also for other Taiwanese. Before I came here, I couldn’t have imagined it and I certainly would never have tried it. But after I saw a lot of people hugging, I saw them laugh and look happy, and I felt like having a go.

Finally, I went and hugged the person who was holding the sign. People around us all hugged together. I started to laugh and I understood the magic inside hugs, inside “Free Hug!”

This might be crazy in my country, but I believe they will like it after they try, so next time, perhaps I will be the one who is holding the sign in Taiwan!

A very modern Baden Powell

2007-08-03T03:53:00.000-07:00

Amongst the many new faces at the Sunrise ceremony, one man with a familiar name came out to join the celebrations. Lord Robert Baden Powell, grandson of our founder was there to see the lasting legacy of his namesake.

It’s a difficult equation to think about, what would a man steeped in the past think of the legacy and modern fresh appeal of the movement now. He was clear: “Something like this, particularly this jamboree with its motto would have sent him round the bend, he would have been so excited so pleased, and here at this jamboree that people are mixing together and there just becoming friends as they have something in common, it’s lovely.”

The current Baden Powell has clearly defined memories of his grandfather after listening to him as a small child.

“I do know he was very egalitarian, democratic, and free. He was very keen that everybody in this life should be made aware that no one is better than anyone else, nobody has a god given right to be superior to anybody else that everybody is the same. The first world war very much upset him because it was so terrible that there was this war going on, he saw that there could be a message for peace if only the people dropped this thing of nationality”

So it’s clear our founder would have approved of the Jamboree’s ethos where race or religion is no barrier to communication, something the modern day Baden Powell saw for himself.

“The sunrise ceremony was very moving; it was quite exciting standing on the stage. When they mentioned Lord Baden Powell was coming out, it’s the one thing that all the people of this jamboree have in common, the name Baden Powell, it means something to them. When we came on you just got this great wave, like a magnetic current, I’d experienced that two or three times before but to experience that today it was the most powerful.”

Very Special Guest

2007-08-02T08:15:00.000-07:00

Then upon the stage walked Lord Baden-Powell, the grandson of founder BP. To a hushed audience he said: "I am very happy to be here. My grandfather started the movement with 20 boys on a camp at Brownsea Island. One hundred years later 28 million people in 158 countries are involved in Scouting across the world.

"The movement he started has become one of the instruments for peace. He would have been delighted to see how the seed he planted has grown into such a movement. "Thank you for inviting me to this unique event and in the words of my grandfather 'have a happy life and good camping'."

Rohan Puthran, 15, from Singapore said: "It was definately very emotional and bonds everyone together. The ceremony was the best way to mark the occassion."

The first to rise

2007-08-02T03:28:00.001-07:00

5.30am and at Atoll sub-camp there was lots of activity. Participants are already lining up at the sub-camp gates ready for the Sunrise Ceremony. Armed with their Sunrise scarves, their packed breakfast and huge smiles, everyone is surprisingly full of energy.

At the head of the procession is Ross, 17 ready and raring to lead the way with his bagpipes. “I had to get up at 4.30am to tune my pipes” said Ross “Today is such a special day for Scouts. It’s such an honour to be asked to play the bagpipes leading the first sub-camp into the arena. I really hope I don’t mess up, I want everyone to be proud of me”
Following Ross was the sub-camp mascot and banner, with the rest following closely behind. The sub-camp leaders were organised and had thought everything through, which of course led to a smooth set off.

As the participants walked the long journey across site, everyone was in high spirits. Singing along with the bagpipes, chanting “Atoll” songs or performing a Mexican wave, the 1,200 strong group were excited to finally be on their way.

“Today is a Celebration, which I hope will help to lead us forward to the next 100 years” said Ben, 17, of the UK contingent.

The anticipation grew as the group were close to arriving at the Main arena, and the noise from approaching sub-camp group was deafening. Proud smiles, they can truly say they were here, the
morning of the Centenary Sunrise and were allowed to celebrate with 44,000 other people.

“Today means that all of the Scouts that have made friends over the last 100 years will be together in spirit” Helena, 17, Poland said excitedly.

Atoll sub-camp finally reached their destination, the bagpipes sounded again confirming their arrival in the main arena. As the group of new made friends settled together on the grass, to re-new the promises that they made in places far away the sense of belonging surging from the group was truly amazing.

Brownsea Sunrise

2007-08-01T03:31:00.000-07:00

Perhaps there is no better place to reflect on the movements birth than Brownsea Island. And whilst many will mark the occasion in their own way, there are special reasons to be at the birthplace for Scouting on August 1st.

Scouts all around the world will take the day to reflect on the past 100 years and look forward to the next. Every Scout will have the opportunity to renew their promise at the 8 am Sunrise Ceremony.

Of particular significance is Brownsea Island, the birth place of Scouting. On the 1st of August 1907, Baden Powell woke the experimental camp by blowing a Kudu horn.

The camp of 20 boys had been drawn from various backgrounds; all were taught new skills and a code of honour that we now know as our Scout Law.

300 lucky Scouts from over 100 countries are waiting to see the sunrise from Brownsea. Neil Commons explained the significance of Brownsea as a focus for the 100th Birthday celebrations and what the Scouts have been experiencing during their stay.

The Scouts will wake up with a Tai Chi session before forming a carnival procession to the original campsite for the Sunrise ceremony, which will be broadcast on the Community Channel and linked to the World Jamboree.

Peter Duncan, Chief Scout of the UK will blow the Kudu horn, 100 years to the minute that Robert Baden Powell did, to start the celebrations. Six people have been chosen to comment on their experiences at the camp and will shake hands to show solidarity for fellow Scouts and our heritage.Following the Sunrise ceremony the participants will return to the four sub camps to have breakfast and then later in the day they will return to Hylands Park and the World Scout Jamboree.

For all those that are involved, wherever we celebrate, the day is about reflection and focus on the changes that we as Scouts can bring to our communities, countries and the future. Neil feels that being at Brownsea is important “it was Scouting’s birthplace. Everything has its beginnings”, despite now being a world wide organisation with over 28 million members it is important to remember where it all began.

Scouting has brought all involved a peace and many friendships all of which are still relevant today.

Message continues to spread

2007-08-01T03:24:00.000-07:00

Whilst most of the Jamboree were sleeping the rest of the UK were continuing to be told about the impact of the Jamboree and the preparations for the Sunrise Ceremony.

Chief Scout Peter Duncan spent two hours talking to 26 BBC Local Radio stations during a marathan session known as GNS.

The GNS systems gives interview slots in ten minutes sections and from one central location, Scouting is able to talk to the entire world.

Assistant Director of Communications Simon Carter said: "These are a hugely effective way of spreading the message about our work. Armed with local knowledge Peter was able to tell each station about their areas plans and this helps the local media development manager when they are trying to get localised coverage."

Peter literally went the length and breadth of the country and it's exhausting work listening to - so I've no idea what it's like to actually do! It must be incredibly hard work. But the prize is worth the sacrifice and hopefully we are able to support Counties with their own positive coverage later on in the week.

Sunrise marks our 100th birthday

2007-08-01T03:19:00.000-07:00

The dawn of a new day signals the start of a new century for Scouting.

At 8am on August 1st 1907 Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouting movement opened the world's first ever scout camp, on Brownsea Island, by sounding his Kudu horn three times. One hundred years later, and the UK Chief Scout, Peter Duncan, was there to blow his Kudu horn three times to mark the beginning of the Worldwide Scouting Sunrise.

Throughout the different time zones, Scouts from around the world renewed their Scout Promise at exactly 8am to mark the centenary of the opening camp.

Meanwhile, at the World Scout Jamboree in Hylands Park, UK, 40,000 scouts were treated to a fantastic sunrise ceremony. Brownsea Island and the Jamboree were linked via live satellite as Peter Duncan led the renewal of the Scout Promise.

The Jamboree then watched as doves were released on stage, and thousands of coloured balloons were launched in to clear blue skies over Chelmsford.

Then, to the sound of music and dancing, scouts began collecting signatures on their yellow 'sunrise' scarfs from those around them - another opportunity to meet new friends and share a common aim.

A whole day of celebrations and activities are planned, culminating in 'Gifts for Peace' concert on the main stage in the evening.

English Tea Rooms

2007-07-31T03:57:00.000-07:00

As excited Scouts found their way to their first activities, and a sea of amazed day visitors found their way around the Jamboree site, a place of tranquillity could still be found on site. Jamboree reporter Sam Taylor found sanctuary from the hustle and bustle in the English Tea Rooms.

In the glorious sunshine, a winding queue snaked around the quaint English garden, as leaders and day visitors alike waited to be served at the tea room. With scrumptious cakes, and the welcoming aroma of tea circulating the air, a feeling of calm came across all those who visited this little bit of traditional England.

Many customers were ordering cream teas: special Jamboree tea served with scones packed full of clotted cream and jam. They were just as delicious as they looked.Visitors from Derbyshire were on their second trip to the tea rooms, and whilst seated took time to reflect on their experience at Hylands Park. Anthony, a Scout leader visiting a Jamboree site for the first time, said “you need time to sit and take in the whole experience. This is absolutely enormous”. Alan, a member of Fellowship was lucky enough to be part of the Korean World Jamboree in 1991. He added “not much has changed; the atmosphere and enjoyment are still the same. Being here at a Jamboree brings back a lot of memories for me”.Scout leaders were also taking a rest whilst their Scouts were at activities. Maria from Murcia in Spain said “we are very happy to be here, but still catching up on sleep after arriving very early yesterday morning”. “It is simply brilliant to experience another culture whilst also relaxing. We are looking forward to visiting the other international restaurants and coffee houses before we go home” said Jose.If you haven’t already had chance to taste the English delicacies at the tea rooms, make time before you leave. And for those who already want to take a piece of England home with them be sure to call at the tea shop for your own jar of Jamboree tea!

Can't wait to arrive on Brownsea

2007-07-31T03:47:00.000-07:00

About three hundred Scouts left the Jamboree site early yesterday morning to trave to Brownsea Island, the place where Baden Powell started Scouting 100 years ago. Having been selected to represent their countries on the island, these Scouts are now making close friendships and enjoying this one-off event.

On Sunday evening they all met for Development Boulevard. As they walked in, they each shook the hand of the UK Chief Scout, Peter Duncan, before being split into four patrols and meeting their subcamp leaders.

"My heart feels like up here"
In a short speech, Peter Duncan welcomed everyone before he raised his hand above his head and said “I don’t know about you, but my heart feels like its up here”.A short DVD was played which showed activities on the island. For many of the seen what the island looked like. It was at this point that many of them realised how wonderful it is going to be for them to celebrate 100 years of Scouting at the place where it began.One of the participants, Al Frankl, said “I’ve been making loads of new friends and now can’t wait to arrive on Brownsea”. Al’s excitement was reflected in everybodys faces as their smiles grew throughout the evening.During their three days on the island the participants will discover the diversity of Scouting by taking part in many activities, including a 'time trial' across Continents where they will learn about different Scout music, dance, food, culture and religion as well as a World Carnival. The organisers of the event said: "These Scouts will represent the hopes of the world as they show how itis possible to live together in peace."

Restaurant Facts

2007-07-30T12:45:00.000-07:00

Meals to be served during the jamboree: 450,000
People served daily: 8,000 IST memberes and 2,500 jamboree managers, delivery team members and the jamboree organisational team
Restaurant seating capacity: 3,000
Restaurant staff: 320
Contracted staff: 60
Lorry (truck) deliveries daily: Up to 14
Waste recycled: 70%
New flags to be displayed in the restaurant as of Friday: nine, including Serbia and Venezuela
British word for potato chips: crisps

Wake up with Promise FM

2007-07-30T12:43:00.000-07:00

Wake up with Promise FM

In the middle of the Plaza stands a portable container, with one side open. Besides burgundy walls, it is furnished simply - a table for two in the middle with two microphones, two computer screens and a mixing desk with loads of switches taking up most of the space. Two people are able to squeeze in behind the table, but that’s it. This is the home of the Promisefm 87.7, the Jamboree’s own radio station.

A small crowd has gathered outside the station, and today they got lucky. The Adventure, who recorded the Jamboree song, Jambo, popped in unexpectedly for on interview and sung part of the song live, both in English and French.

At 09:00 the four morning show DJs, Jennie Hornsby, Oliver Lackie, Dominique "Calao" Tinguely, and Harvey Kennett have already been up for 4.5 hours and on air since 06:00. However, they do not look tired. Multiple cups of coffee and hot chocolate have been consumed during the morning to keep them going.

The morning show is not scripted, but the time is divided into two sections. The first hour is in the studio with all the DJs, and for the other three hours of the show two of the DJs go to sub camps and take part of the show on the road.

“Dominique and I talked with a Korean troop and they offered us breakfast, says Kennett. “We had rice, seaweed, and some other Korean specialities. Another day we were at the Island Hub and while Dominique was still eating breakfast I was trying to do an interview in English with a French Scout. When he heard that on the radio, he ran to finish the interview in French.”

Combining a career and a hobby

All of the DJs are experienced radio personalities. Hornsby, 21, has her own radio show in Essex, Lackie, 18, has a weekly radio show at his college, Tinguely, 26, has a radio show in Geneva, and Kennett, 37, has helped with Scout camp radio stations. Talking on a radio is something they are all passionate about and what they love doing.

“I wanted to be a part of team instead of having a show of my own,” says Hornsby. “This was an opportunity, and I love this job.” “For me this was a challenge,” adds Tinguely, the French DJ. “I wanted to improve my English and get memories.”

At 09:55 the DJs are playing the funny bits from yesterday’s show. They have 5 minutes of the show left. The time runs out, they switch to the news coming from the Media Centre, and leave the broadcasting room.

You will not hear their voices on the radio until the next morning but they are not done with talking. Lively chatter in English and French continues as soon as they are out of range of the microphones.

Programme begins across the Jamboree

2007-07-30T08:50:00.000-07:00

The sun came out around lunchtime and started drying out all the mud, which was lucky as so many people were walking round site getting to the activities. There was lots of noise from every corner of the site, recycled music came from Trash and Rockets were flying in the air on Elements.

Day visitors were able to come on site finally and many were walking around in awe with the enormity of the site and number of people taking part. Comments such as “There are so many tents it’s breath taking” were heard. It is not surprising that most of the guests don’t appear to want to leave!

Participants were bustling around enjoying the activities and all made lots of new friends. There are so many challenges around site that it will be a challenge itself to get them all completed!

With so much happening it’s a wonder anyone had any energy for their evening activities, but whilst walking across the Plaza Sunday evening on my way to Black Magic, there were plenty of participants around making use of the shops and food outlets, assuring me that they had a fun packed day and were looking forward to a fun packed evening as well.

Message August 1st

2007-07-30T04:43:00.000-07:00

The sun is rising on a new century of Scouting.

When joining millions of other Scouts in the renewal of the Promise let us thank all those who made it possible for us to live the unique, exciting and involving experience of Scouting, starting with our Founder BP.

We live in times of increasing disparities, world wide intolerance, tensions and growing conflicts. Irresponsible life-styles and wild consumerism are seriously putting our planet's environmental stability at risk.

As “citizens of the world”, we have a responsibility.

As Scouts our duty is to actively engage for creating a better world.

Let's be firmly guided by our common Promise and face the future with optimism and courage.
As sisters and brothers, recognising in every human being a friend, whatever her or his beliefs or situation, let's devote all our energies to building Peace.

Eduardo Missoni, Secretary General, World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM)

Jamboree Dreams

2007-07-28T08:10:00.000-07:00

On the web...

Almost every day I write on my secret diary something about the Jamboree. I think it will be an exciting experience. In our group we began to talk about the Jamboree almost two years ago. Immediately I liked the idea of taking part in a so huge camp.

We kept a big sheet of paper against the wall of our headquarters and everyone who wanted to go to the Jamboree had to write their name on it. Now two of my group are going to the World Scout Jamboree: my friend, Lorenzo, and me.

In my country Scouting is famous. There are many groups in Italy and everyone is doing many activities to celebrate 100 years of Scouting. For example, in many cities in Italy the mayor nominates some streets with the name “Robert Baden Powell”. Then, on a Sunday of May, every group did in his own city many activities in which many non Scout children (but also adults) took part. We organised games, competitions, music, dance and also an exhibition. Furthermore, the Scouts who will not come to the Jamboree will be in contact with the camp thanks to the media.

There are many things that make me look forward to the Jamboree. First of all, being a girl Scout is one of the things I love the most. I’ve been a girl Scout since 1999. At the end of my first Saturday afternoon with my group I was already loving it. I said my promise and I’m still glad to be a girl Scout. The last years were really thrilling for me.

Now I notice that I begin to become enthusiastic over my new Scout experience. I’m really looking forward to the Jamboree… I think I’m very lucky to take part in it. One of the things that convinced me to go to the Jamboree is friendship: in fact one of the best virtues of the boy Scout is his friendship. I will have the opportunity to make new friends from all over the world. But sometimes I’m a bit shy. Maybe this Jamboree will help me to make new friends without hesitation.

Then, I think the Jamboree will be special for its activities. That’s the second big camp I’ll take part in: three years ago I took part in a National Camp and I made lots of new friends. If I imagine the Jamboree, I think about that wonderful National Camp with its hundreds of tents and thousands of Scouts. There is only a difference: the Jamboree will be even bigger and unique. It will be like visiting the world staying in the same place! I’ve never met scouts from other countries before… I’m sure it will be exciting!

When I was asked if I would like to be a young correspondent, I immediately wanted to. I really like writing: I keep a secret diary (I have already written 21 books!) and I gained my Scout Patent in Journalism. “So why not to be a young correspondent?”, I said. I’m sure it will be nice to write for the Jamboree newspaper.

Chiara F, Young Correspondent, Italian Contingent.

Friday the 27th of July 2007

2007-07-27T17:57:00.000-07:00

UK Participants Arrive.
Yesterday saw the UK participants arrive on the site. And yes it was chucking it down. But in true Scouting style the young people pitched their tents with not a care in the world. There was an evening welcome party which saw acts like the Liberty X and Le’mar. A great way for the UK Contingent to get ready for the rest of the World when they arrive today.

The World In My Pocket

2007-07-27T17:53:00.000-07:00

After four weeks of ‘build’, the Jamboree site is starting to come to life. Scouts from all over the World are making their way to Hylands Park to be part of the International Service Team for the 21st World Scout Jamboree.

Four weeks ago Hylands Park was just like any other public park, a quiet haven for dog walkers and family picnics. As people walked their dogs on those late June evenings, they probably didn’t appreciate what their park would be transformed into over the coming weeks.

After many years of meetings and planning, the time finally came for the Big Build to commence.
The Jamboree Build Team (JBT) ‘hit’ Hylands Park to start the immense task of building our Jamboree town on Saturday 30th June. Ever since it's been a fantastic experience, as buildings and services were put into the site to make life as welcoming as possible for the young people who are crossing the globe to attend the world’s largest ever World Scout Jamboree.

Building was an international affair during the Build period thousands of volunteers arrived to help with the construction process. Even this was a truly international affair - Scout Leaders came from as far as southern Chile and Australia to help with the Build. There is even one remarkable team of volunteers walking from Serbia, just to be part of the event.

I remember early in week one, we stopped off at the Adult Camping Area to witness the first marquee being erected. It was raining and quite windy on the field and as we stood there talking about the layout of the Island Hub, it was hard to imagine the transformation that this empty field would undergo over the coming weeks. Now, four weeks later, our Jamboree town is near complete and as the sea of tents continues to grow, it is warming to think that as I sleep after another day's end, I do so with the World in my Pocket.

Good News!

2007-07-16T08:28:00.001-07:00

Each morning after breakfast Paul Walker holds a short team briefing to rally the troops. This morning he announced to the build team that HRH Prince William and The Duke of Kent will be attending the Jamboree Opening Ceremony!

This is great news for the Jamboree and you can see it all on the Community Channel (see below!)

Live on the Telly...

2007-07-16T08:03:00.000-07:00

I've lifted this from the Community Channel website...

http://www.communitychannel.org/content/view/1486/75

Scouts from nearly every country in the world come together between 27 July and 8 August to celebrate the 21st World Scout Jamboree and the movement's Centenary.

Some 40,000 Scouts will camp, live and work together at Hylands Park in Chelmsford for 12 days of celebration.

On 1st August Scouts in the UK and 28 million scouts worldwide will mark the dawn of a new century of scouting.

On Brownsea Island where scouting began, two representatives from each national scouts organisation - some 300 people - will renew their promise to scouting.

Community Channel presents live coverage of the key events of the jamboree, and will also broadcast regular updates from Mon 30 July.

The broadcast schedule is as follows:

Saturday 28 July: Opening Ceremony LIVE from Hylands Park at 1.30 pm
Transmission 1.15 - 2 pm (45 minute window) (on Sky and Virgin Media)

Mon - Fri 30 July - 3 Aug: Daily 10 Minute News Updates at 07.30 - 07.45 am (on Freeview, Sky and Virgin Media)

Wednesday 1 August: Sunrise Ceremony LIVE from Brownsea Island at 8 am
am Transmission time: 07.45 - 08.30 am (45 minute window) (on Freeview, Sky and Virgin Media)

(Note: Times of repeat transmissions of the recorded live coverage will be advised)

Where Can I Watch?
Community Channel is broadcast 24 hours a day on Sky 539, Virgin TV 233. The Channel is also on Freeview 87 from 6am to 9am, everyday.

All Going to Plan

2007-07-16T07:28:00.000-07:00

Everything is coming up roses!

It's been another busy weekend at Hylands Park. Over the last couple of days 'hundreds' of people came along to volunteer their services to help the Jamboree site grow.

Teams of people worked together to packed patrol boxes, erected fencing, put up fiesta tents, worked on plumbing and run electric supplies.

The adult camping areas are final mapped out and yesterday I spent the afternoon planning out the work of the last 5 days on the laptop.

On Saturday morning a large team from Scotland erected a marquee know as 'the kross' it was amazing each member of the 30 or so strong team busily ran around putting various parts of the tent in position. it took them three hours to erect it! Three hours to put up a tent I hear you cry..! Believe me, this tent is huge.

Square Dancing..!

2007-07-12T15:20:00.000-07:00

WOW... What a week!

I just don't know where the time has gone! These last 7 days have been a whirlwind of activity...

Last Friday was the first night that the Build Team camped on the adult sub-camp. In the morning we put up our tents, it was very, very windy but we managed between us.

Martyn, Brian and I have mainly spend the week on the Island Hub and adult camping area.

It has taken us nearly a week to mark out the team camping squares on the adult camping field and in between be have started to build the areas in the Support Centre.

More and more people are joining the build now, with Scouts from around the globe joining the team. Teams 'muster' outside the restaurant at 8:30am each morning with people lining-up to work in teams to link fencing around the site, pitch festia tents, pack patrol boxes, the list is endless. In the evening, after a productive day round the site, teams return to join together for a well earned meal and a little social time.

The restaurant is steadily rising from the ground and from the floor footprint alone you can tell its going to be an awesome sight.

I just can't express how much fun each day brings. Its hard work, rewarding and a fantastic experience. I wouldn't like to guess how many kilometers we have walked marking out the adult camping area.

Standing at the top end of the sub-camp looking down on the Island Hub and the area where the Build Team is camping, it's hard to imagine that in just over a weeks time adult volunteers from all around World will be living in harmony on this field in preparation for the participants arrival.

I'll write again soon!

Block Party!

2007-07-05T13:37:00.000-07:00

Wednesday...

We bumped into Pete first thing this morning... He was pushing a bin. We said good morning and he said, "if I had a step ladder I'd get in!"

We had a very productive day today. Work has started on the Elements activity field, tents are been erected a bock of toilets had been delivered and the whole field needs to be fenced off.

Martyn and I spent the day distributing the rubber block feet that the fence panels sit in around the edge of the activity area. Our first load of blocks were placed in a small Transit van. At the other end we had to 'man handle' them off the van and put them in a tidy pile! That was the only time we did that!

We swapped the Transit for a flatbed truck and had four loads loaded onto it. When we got to the field we distributed the blocks about four feet apart around the edge of the field, a much easier way of doing it and a time saver for the fencing team!

Friday we move to site so I don't know when the next gripping installment of this blog will be. As soon as we get electricity and an internet connect onto the adult hub I'll get right on to it. I'm guessing that will be about a week away, I'm sure that the photos will show you a much more developed Jamboree site then!

Busy doing something....

2007-07-03T10:19:00.000-07:00

Day two is under the belt!

As soon as we got to site the first person we bumped into was Peter Morrell! We always seem to have a nack of Peter being the first person we meet wherever we go.

We were soon allocated a task: taking a 7.5 ton lorry to Warren Farm storage facility to start the big move of equipment to the Jamboree warehouse. Needless to say that as soon as James started to load the lorry with the forklift it started to chuck-it down.

The ground underfoot at Hylands Park is starting to get interesting... Martyn compared it to the conditions at the Somme, to which I replied that unlike him I wasn't there (",)

The world’s largest voluntary construction project

2007-07-02T16:33:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend the first tent pegs were driven into the ground at Hylands Park, Chelmsford. The construction of the huge tented city that will house 40,000 young people from almost every country on earth has begun. The tents and buildings being put up this weekend are the first of 20,000. Combined these will create a home from home for young people from over 180 countries who will be attending the 21st World Scout Jamboree.

Over the next month, many other buildings and services will be put into the site to make life as welcoming as possible for the young people who are crossing the globe to attend the world’s largest ever Scout Jamboree.

Work will take place between now and the opening ceremony on the 28 July to construct stages, accommodation areas, a hospital and the largest temporary eating area in Western Europe, capable of accommodating and, more importantly, feeding 8,000 volunteer staff. Neil, a young person who will be attending the Jamboree, said ‘It’s difficult to imagine that this green parkland will be teeming with people from all over the world in just a few short weeks’.

During the Build period thousands of volunteers will arrive to help with the construction process. Even this is a truly international affair, with Scout Leaders coming from as far as southern Chile and Australia to help with the Build. There is even one remarkable team of volunteers walking from Serbia, just to be part of the event.

Setting up the site needs a wide range of skills; the building team consists of people with all abilities, from professional plumbers, medical practitioners to energetic Explorer Scouts ready to help. By the end of the preparations, the 574-acre area will be transformed into spectacular home grounds and activity sites for the Scouts. It will be the largest ever volunteer construction project, consisting of more than 8,000 volunteers.

The Jamboree will take the equivalent of 10,000 'person days’ to set up and take down – tasks being done solely by volunteers. Paul Walker is the volunteer responsible for the build phase of the project. He said. ‘The adults we have in Scouting are amazing. Their dedication is allowing this world-class event to take place. We have more participants involved in this event than are attending the 2012 London Olympics.

'The great thing is that while it’s hard work, all the adults involved in the event are really enjoying it. People think volunteering to be part of an event like this means that they have to give up something, but in reality everyone involved is gaining from the experience, which is just what being a Scout Leader is all about’.

Sorting tent poles...

2007-07-02T09:08:00.000-07:00

Day one is over!

It started a little bit damp and muddy! Martyn and I arrived at Skreens Park Scout Camp Site (where the JBT are bases until they move to Hylands Park this Friday), and booked in. It wasn't the 'hub of activity' I was expecting. A handful of people were being booked in so while we waited I took the opportunity to have the full English breakfast that was on offer!

After registration we made our way to Hylands Park to be greeted by the familiar sight of the warehouse tents. The track way to the warehouse was in the process of being laid although this had been held-up a little by the weather of late and the condition of the ground (mud) under foot.

We made ourselves known to the willing volunteers that where there and had a quick chat with Nigel Hayley. But we were soon assigned a job which involved going to the 'storage facility' at a nearby farm where the site services equipment has been in storage since the end of EuroJam in 2005.

There we spent the rest of the day merrily sorting festia tent components into various stacks ready to move to site for erection. We sorted a fare few, but we didn't make a visible dent in the task as a whole!

Oh too soon it was time to go home (as we have a District meeting tonight.) On the way we stopped off at the adult campsite to witness the first tent (the chillout tent) being erected. It was raining and quite windy on the field and as we stood there talking about the layout of the Hub it was hard to imaging the transformation that this empty field will undergo over the next 3 weeks and the fantastic time we are all going to have in the process of getting it ready for the arrival of the International Service Team!

Role on tomorrow...!

After all this time...

2007-07-01T15:26:00.000-07:00

Well, after all the talking and planning it's finally here..!

The Jamboree Build Team (JBT) 'hit' Hylands Park to start the big build tomorrow. Martyn is picking me up at 7am in the morning as we need to be at registration for 9am.

As always this week is a busy week with the monthly District meetings tomorrow night and the County AGM on Wednesday evening. It fits in quite nicely really as the JBT are not camping at Hylands this week so we have decided to commute Monday to Thursday and move to the site on Friday morning where we will camp for 36 nights! I'm sure this blog will be an interesting read over the coming days and weeks!