22nd World Scout Jamboree
In late July 2011 over 4,300 Guides and
Scouts departed the UK to attend the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in
Sweden.
'It was huge!'
Sara Peat, from the Scotland East Unit, says,
‘Arriving on the Jamboree site, I couldn’t believe the size of the
place that would all be filled with tents. We headed down to the
main stage for the opening ceremony and all 40,000 participants
from over 150 countries were in one place. It was then I realised
the massive scale of the Jamboree – it was huge!
'Each day we went to a different activity,
from physical games such as an assault course through the forest,
to reflecting and relaxing away from the excitement of the camp in
the meditation tents. The activities gave us the chance to learn
about ourselves, others and the world around us.
'A World Scout Jamboree is an action-packed
experience that I will never forget. I would encourage every Guide
to put themselves forward for international selection!’
Camp in Camp
Jenni
Mallay from Scotland South East Unit loved meeting friends from
around the world in her patrol at the ‘Camp in Camp’. Based on
a peaceful Swedish campsite, her group of British, French,
Australian, Irish and German Guides and Scouts did pioneering, hill
walking, games and arts work, as well as having a great laugh
together.
Jenni describes the last night's campfire as
‘one of the best campfires I’ve ever been to. Every song had the
whole audience up dancing and having the time of their lives. I
will only ever look back on it with fond and hilarious
memories.’
A Guide from Buckinghamshire said of her Camp
in Camp experience, ‘Brilliant people, brilliant location and a
brilliant experience, never to be forgotten. We also had a visit
from the fire brigade at our camp in camp. Don’t panic though,
there was no emergency, they were simply giving a talk to everyone
about fire safety. Although a fire truck arriving with sirens
blaring did provide some entertainment!’
The Final Countdown
All too soon it was the closing
ceremony. One Guide reports, ‘After the closing ceremony I
thought the fireworks were finished, then I discovered what the
Vikings meant when they talked about Thor: the whole sky lit up and
stayed lit up for miles with an amazing electrical storm...this was
Sweden saying its goodbye to us.’
Guides from Girlguiding Ulster said, ‘The
closing ceremony was definitely a memorable experience. As Europe
sang "Final Countdown" the heavens opened and we got drenched. No
matter, this did not dampen our spirits. We just joined in the
Jamboree song with more enthusiasm. We took part in an enormous
Mexican wave with 40,000 Guides and Scouts from around the world,
danced in the rain and had a night that we will never forget. We
were even graced with the presence of the King of Sweden. Wow what
a Jamboree! Japan 2015 - how I would love to be there!’
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Christine Haddock - a member of the UK
Contingent Management Team for the Jamboree - who has been given a
prestigious Scout award. Christine was awarded
the Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service at the final
review weekend for the Jamboree management and support teams, in
recognition of her work helping to plan and deliver the 22nd World
Scout Jamboree in Sweden.
What next?
The Jamboree may be over for now but there are plenty of other
international events coming up!
Check out the
Roverway 2012 webpages and join the mailing list by emailing
roverway@girlguiding.org.uk
to find out about next summer's massive international camp in
Finland!
You can also join the mailing list for
Moot 2013 in Canada by emailing moot@girlguiding.org.uk