I have just returned from a trip to the World
Scout Jamboree in Sweden with my fellow travellers; Chris Harris
(Regional Commissioner), John Woolley (CC in Manchester) Steve
Buckley (DC Alderley), Cathy Bland (ACC Cubs) Katheryn & Keith
Hadaway (parents), Chris Ralston (Warrington), Alan Wilding
(Chester), Hilary Roberts (Chester) and Jo Turner (Chester)
On the flight out from Manchester to Copenhagen we met up with
Mark Tarry Deputy Chief Commissioner for England and a selection of
other leaders heading for the same destination. Also on the
flight were a group of Guides on their way to spend ten days on the
"camp in a camp" activity with Swedish Scouts & Guides. They
will be hosting groups from the World Scout Jamboree each day.
The weather in Copenhagen on arrival was warm and
sunny.
Our visit to the WSJ site in Sweden took place on Saturday with
an early morning start for the 2 hour coach journey. During the
visit I met up with all the Cheshire Leaders and lots of Explorer
Scouts, all of whom seem really happy. The site was very
muddy in lots of places and the day was punctuated with some very
heavy downpours, a reminder of the World Scout Jamboree send-off at
Tatton Park! The good news is that weather has improved since we
left with a heat wave.
All three Cheshire units have received a visit from Wayne
Bulpitt, UK Chief Commissioner who when I caught up with him
at Copenhagen airport for the return journey home was very
complimentary about the standard of camping and spirit in the
Cheshire units.
There appears to be a huge range of activities, which on my
visit participants were just getting to grips with. Many of
them are a reflection of the style of Scouting in Sweden
which is of course giving Scouts from Cheshire a different
perspective on Scouting. Many of the Cheshire contingent who
I met were very excited at the opportunity of meeting Scouts from
different parts of the world and had obviously engaged in some very
interesting conversations with them.
The catering arrangements are really interesting with each
Patrol deciding what they want to eat that day, then going to the
supermarket to buy food before cooking it. The only complaint I
came across was the lack of chocolate, biscuits and crisps. In
Sweden they believe that fresh fruit is better for you therefore
they have not provided chocolate etc. Being ever resourceful our
units have set up a network to identify where the chocolate is
being sold before spreading the word. One unit has even devised a
way to create chocolate time treats, the recipe is a closely
guarded secret I'm told! Another unit has found a way of
reserving a table (not easily achieved) in the Swiss food house
where they are serving chocolate fondues. Other unit members
I came across are simply on a mission to try every variety of ice
cream they can find on the site.
One of the other challenges that they have found is the way in
which some Scouts are quite happy to walk around the shower block
naked, not something we are known for in Cheshire!
Parents will be pleased to know that most of the unit members
have been doing some of their own washing.
The two Cheshire units have both been on "camp in camp" where
they go off site for 24-hours, usually in a wilderness type
location to have the opportunity of camping Swedish style.
Our consolidated unit experienced the other option, which was
a hike with Scouts from a variety of countries.
Despite the bad weather on the day of our visit and the fact
that they had already experienced lots of rain everybody seemed
really happy, inspired at the opportunities they were having to
meet people from around the world and genuinely excited about the
rest of their time at the Jamboree. Many unique members have
already experienced "meal swaps", this is where they visit another
unit, from a different country and eat with them, in return members
from that unit joine the Cheshire unit for dinner
The Cheshire members are doing us proud and I know they will
have some amazing stories to tell on their return. It was both a
pleasure and privilege to spend a little time with them and share a
tiny fraction of their experience.