Bloomin' 'Eck - Talk About Busy!

As you know, I was originally aiming to update this blog about once every couple of days, but I've fallen behind slightly as I was so busy and so will do my best to catch up, starting where I left off last time - 29th July.

We woke up on this day to find out that Aquaville had been cancelled due to a problem with the generator (the Gloucester Unit maintain that the hamster died), so the day was in effect given over to choice time. This meant that I could show my mum and dad round as Day Visitors, and that they could take me out for lunch in Hylands Cafe. It was hard, though, when it came to leaving them at the end of the day! The Arena show that was put on for the day visitors certainly appears amazing, and it made the signiature tune "Jabagai" stick in my head. In the evening we ran round the site completing tasks for "Challenge 100", and I got my right knee covered in mud!

After a decent night's sleep, the 30th held for us the challenge of Starburst. We were fearful of a hard day's labour spent cutting down trees or hacking away brambles, but in the end we were taken to the seaside town of Birnam-on-Crouch for dance lessons and instructions on giving the locals tours of the area. Both of these were things we put into practice in the afternoon, along with attendance of an exhibition on ageing. (I took a leaflet on incontinence.) That night, we

The 31st was our first programme day which we spent on-site, and was divided between the Global Development Village in the morning and Choice Time after lunch. I ended up going to one of the GloBuses, before taking one of the Unit Leaders up on her request that one of our Unit read a testimony on what Scouting means to them. I consequently wrote mine (after a relaxing afternoon in the English Tea House), and performed it after registering as a Young Correspondent and hurriedly legging it back to the Canyon Stage!

Scouting's Sunrise took place today, on 1st August. After an amazing Sunrise Ceremony in the morning, we then went back and prepared for our Food Festival. This was, for us, the offering of traditional strawberries and cream as well as provision of pull-based "Ascot Races". After this, we created a pseudo-monarchy before leaving for Choice Time.

That's all from me as I have only 10 seconds of internet time left.

Thoughts on the First Few Days

So, we're into the third night of the Jamboree now. Every night will now break my record for the longest number of consecutive nights away... not that I have any intention of leaving of course.

Yes, it gets a bit depressing when there's nothing to do, but remember that I was at the opening ceremony. Seeing so many Scouts from around the world join together for the biggest Jamboree ever is really something, and I certainly won't forget it in a hurry. I also met the Hong Kong contingent this evening, and we're probably going to invite them over to dinner on the 30th.

As for the future, the programme starts in earnest tomorrow. It's Aquaville for us, which is an element of the World Villages programme. As I sit here and listen to the faint sounds of the party going on outside (no need to go it's loud enough to hear from the Mountain Hub, 15 minutes' walk away!), I can only sit and contemplate the next few days, and try to keep busy. A big Jambo-Hello to everyone at home, and especially to Mum and Dad, who are day visitors tomorrow. Bad news mum - I'll be getting wet on Aquaville...

Jambo ("HELLO!")

"Jambo" is the official song of the WSJ. Admittedly it sounds really cheesy, but it's really grown on me and I can't recommend it enough! Hear it at www.berkshirescoutsjamboree.org.uk or click on the banner below.



Click For The Song Of The Summer!

About Berkshire and the Jamboree

This is the Unit badge for my Unit. Yes, I'm from Berkshire. And that's pronounced BARKshire, not BERKshire.Even my Unit leader gets it wrong (although he could be joking).

Berkshire is sending two Units of 36 young people each to the Jamboree. I'm lucky enough to be a member of one of these Units, which has been dubbed "Blue Troop". This particular Jamboree holds particular significance for Scouts everywhere, as it revolves around Scouting's Sunrise on August 1st - a day of worldwide celebrations for Scouts everywhere on the exact centenary of the first ever Scout camp. At 8am on this day, Scouts around the world will remake their promise to see in the next hundred years of Scouting.

The Jamboree also brings together Scouts from all around the world. From July 26th to August 8th, Hylands Park in Chelmsford will host 40 000 Scouts camping on site as well as over 50 000 day visitors. These figures make this Jamboree the biggest ever! Every single NSO (National Scout Organisation) is sending Scouts to the event, making it a truly international experience.

Okay, now I really can't wait.

Testing, Testing, 1-2-3...

*clears throat*

Umm, hello. You've probably already read all about why I'm here, so yeah - welcome to my blog. Here, I'll be covering my time at the 21st World Scout Jamboree. But as I write this I haven't even left for the Jamboree (unlike those unlucky Japanese Scouts who've had to travel for 16 hours), so first I'll outline what exactly a Jamboree is.