Adventurous scouts celebrate 100 days to go until Jamboree in Japan

Across the planet Scouts from nearly every country and territory are busy preparing for their trip to the 23rd World Scout Jamboree.
Celebratory cake for scouts ahead of Jamboree SUS-150422-125852001Celebratory cake for scouts ahead of Jamboree SUS-150422-125852001
Celebratory cake for scouts ahead of Jamboree SUS-150422-125852001

Amongst them are 36 Scouts from West Sussex who have spent over 18 months planning, raising funds and training to take part in the greatest adventure of their lifetime, the World Scout Jamboree which takes place this summer in Japan.

The Jamboree is based in Yamaguchi prefecture in the south of Japan. The Jamboree site will hold around 30,000 people from over 100 countries all over the world and include space from activities which include science, global development, nature and water sports.

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Over the course of 12 days at the Jamboree, the West Sussex unit, known as Yewnity, which is made up of 36 young people and 4 adults, will not only learn through the structured programme but also by working with and interacting with hundreds of other cultures from across the world.

After 18 months of preparation and learning about Japan, Yewnity are finally starting to see the reality of going to the 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Japan unfold.

With less than 100 days to go until they fly to Japan all of the unit received their specially designed kit to take to the event at their penultimate preparation camp last weekend.

The atmosphere in the room was electric and they celebrated in style with a specially made cake.

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The kit that has been designed for the event will ensure that all of the 4,000 young people and adults that are attending the 23rd World Scout Jamboree as part of the UK Contingent will be comfortable in the Japanese summer climate.

Summer in Japan is known to be very humid and have sustained temperatures in the high 20 degrees. Yewnity have been supplied with dry wicking clothing specially designed for the humid climate as well as a hat, neck towel and water bottle to ensure that they remain hydrated and healthy while at the event.

The biggest challenge for the Young People will be finding their bag at the airport amongst the hundreds or even thousands of bags that are all identical! Every member of the UK Contingent has a rucksack and an 80 litre wheel assisted bag to carry 3 weeks of kit. To ensure that Yewnity can easily find their bag at the airport they have personalised their bags with neon name tags to make them easy to spot.

Ross McKay, 14, said “After receiving all of our issue kit for the 23rd World Scout Jamboree it has made the whole experience seem even closer.

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“The kit is amazing and is even better than I originally anticipated! I, for one, cannot wait to attend the event and look forward to sharing my experiences with those who have helped us make this whole experience possible.”

Chief Scout, Bear Grylls, said: “While lots of people know that Scouting is all about adventure, they often don’t realise that adult volunteers get to do just as much as our young members through their involvement.

“The World Scout Jamboree is a great example of this. Over the course of the Jamboree Scouts will be able to meet people from around the world, take part in amazing adventures and experiences and be challenged to think about global issues in a new light. That is why Scouting is one of the greatest youth movement on earth and why I am so proud to be part of it.”

Report and picture contributed by Jessica Plumtree, Communications Champion, Unit 18 - West Sussex (Yewnity).

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