Posted 12/08/2011
Home
Hi everyone, it's Emily for the final time.
We returned yesterday from our Home Hospitality in Switzerland
which Meg is going to tell you a little more about.
Our journey home was very emotional; after landing in Manchester
we only had a few minutes to say our goodbyes to the Scouts
from the Isle of Man. For some of us it was the last time we
are likely to see Roger, Nick, Josh, Aaron, Peter, Paul, Owen,
Tom, Todd and Ryan so there was no shortage of tears and
tissues.
Everyone was happy to see their families but we will all miss
our extended family so much - in fact we are planning to get
together on Monday, a four day reunion!
From all of us we would like to say thank you to our leaders,
Jon, Debbie, Neil and
Roger for taking time out to give us this opportunity. All of you
were fantastic and we will miss you a lot.
Yours in Scouting,
Emily
Posted 14/08/2011
HoHo
After the closing ceremony we all
crashed in one of the activity tents for a few hours sleep before
we had to leave at 3:30 the next morning to go to the land of
chocolate, cheese and Rivella. Switzerland.
Once arriving in Switzerland we took a double-decker train to
get to the beautiful village where the scout hut was. Once we were
settled in, some of us went to the local swimming pool for a
much-enjoyed swim. When we got back a delicious dinner was ready
for us made by Dianne and her team of Swiss helpers. But before we
could eat it was a Swiss tradition to sing before eating so for the
next few nights before dinner we learnt a song and on the last
night we knew it Farley well. However that night we all enjoyed
sleeping on mattresses instead of roll mats.
The next day we went to St Gallen via train. We had two tours
one that showed us the main sites in St Gallen and the other was
around the Abbey Library of St Gallen. It was so beautiful and the
decorations were exquisite. That afternoon we were allowed to go
shopping in groups. Where I accidentally bought two right
shoes.
The day after we went to a chocolate factory in the morning
which was great because there was no chocolate on the jamboree
site. That afternoon a few others and I went back to St Gallen to
get my shoes sorted out and for some more shopping time. Whilst the
others chilled back at the hut. That night we had racculette
On the last full day we did a hike with the other Swiss explorer
unit. It was hard work but we did it and the views were
definitely rewarding. On top of the hill we cooked German sausages
on the fire, which was accompanied by fresh roll and tomato
ketchup. On the way back down we stopped at the swimming pool for
one final swim.
Finally after 4 fabulous days we had to say our goodbyes to the
other Swiss unit. We all thoroughly enjoyed our stay and thank you
very much to the entire Swiss unit, to all of the people who helped
to organise this amazing opportunity and to the leaders who took
time of to take us to the best three weeks of our lives.
Megan Selley
Posted 08/08/2011
Switzerland
Following all the travel on Sunday everybody was in bed by 8 pm
last night in preparation for our full day out in Switzerland today
(Monday). Some of the day has been spent in St Galleon where we
were given a guided tour including the library/museum. Everybody
found it interesting, particularly the Mummy they had on display.
The unit enjoyed the shopping, most of the lads bought Swiss pocket
knives, the girls bought shoes - much more practical!
They came across one shop they wished was in the UK, it was
called C&A.
Tomorrow we are off to the chocolate factory, can't tell you how
excited everybody (well certainly me) is about this excursion.
Transport has been by train today, very efficient, tomorrow we are
walking to the chocolate factory.
Debbie Phillips
Posted 08/08/2011
Free Day
After camp in camp it was our units free day off. So naturally
when you have a day off you have a lie in and brunch and that was
exactlly what we did. In the afternoon we went to the gorgeous
beach. If you stood still and looked to your left you could see the
sparkling ocean just waiting to be swam in and on the right a lush
pine forest. I mean where else in the world would you find a jam
packed beach with different nationalities and laughter right next
to a flourishing pine forest in the beating sun. Only on the World
Scout Jamboree.
Megan Selley
Posted 08/08/2011
The Last day
Sadly the last day has arrived, tents and equipment are being
packed up and away. The big town that has been our home for the
past 10 days is closing. Sorrow has started to seep in to
everyone as newly and beloved friends are leaving. Last minutes
badges and buisness cards are being swaped. As the 22nd world scout
jamboree comes to a close with a spectacular ceremony.
Megan Selley
Posted 08/08/2011
The Last night
Unit 9 Last night was the closing ceremony (Saturday), the King
of Sweden gave the closing speech before handing the official flag
to three Scouts from Japan who will host the next world scout
jamboree. It ended with fireworks and lots of emotion despite the
very wet weather. We had packed everything away during the
afternoon which was just as well because in the early hours there
were thunder and lightning storms before are departure at 3.30am.
It was a sad goodbye to the Jamboree site as we made our way to
Copenhagen to catch our flight to Zurich in Switzerland. Our Swiss
hosts met us at the airport and helped us catch the train to the
Scout centre which will be our home for the next few days. On
arrival a couple of the unit described it as awesome and everybody
is looking forward to sleeping indoors on a mattress and food
cooked for us. Some have already been swimming and we have an early
start tomorrow for a full day of "surprise activities" which will
be followed on Tuesday with a visit to a chocolate factory (unit
don't know about this yet!) Our Swiss hosts have just told us that
they have obtained sponsorship for our stay so they are able to
provide the whole experience at no cost, Scouting really is a
fantastic organisation and this is going to be an amazing end to
our adventure.
Debbie Phillips
Posted 05-08-11
Culture day at Jamboree
Costumes were being put on, exotic food was being served and the
sound of laughter could be heard from all directions of the vast
site. Smells hung in the air enticing people in to try local
dishes from around the world. This was culture day at the Jamboree,
the day most had been waiting for.
Bright flags were being put all around the site to show the
different nationalities and cultures. Girls floated by in their
traditional dresses alongside the boys who weren't afraid to show
their national colours. Despite the sweltering heat everyone
still laughed and danced enjoying each others company and cultural
differences.
After what started as a hectic day rushing around preparing to
show off our countries best, everything soon relaxed into a chilled
calmness of trying Turkish Massages and flavorful food. All this
soon subsided into an action packed ceremony at the main stage
staring local BMX riders and two local bands. Lively music
providing a wonderful backdrop to an energetic evening of
entertainment. A great end to a great day enjoyed by all that will
not be forgotten.
Joshua & Megan Croston & Selley
Posted 05-08-11
Camp in Camps
We had culture festival yesterday where we served scones and tea
to people from all over the world whilst dressed as a deck of
cards, Alice, a mad hatter, white rabbit and tweedle dee and
tweedle dum! ha We then went down to the main arena and had a
party. We sat at the front of the arena and all the unit were
impressed when they turned around and saw the rest of Jamboree in
one field. Last night there was about 48, 000 on site as we had a
thankyou party for the hosts of camp in camp. There was hilarious
dancing going on from members of our unit...no names being
mentioned!
Today is our last day of activities...bit sad really. Nobody wants
to go home. I think quite a few of the participants have caught the
jamboree bug! ha
Posted 05-08-11
Culture day
Last night we attended the culture day evening event which
required us to leave our campsite at 5:30 for an event that started
at 8pm so it proved a long evening, it was all a bit strange
really. This morning the weather has turned bad, its a lot colder
and raining. Tonight we are performing at The Castle which is the
English food house and hoping to meet up with the other Cheshire
contingent members. Tonight is our last night under canvass,
tomorrow night is the closing ceremony and party and the we have a
very early start the following morning for the airport, heading for
Switzerland. Before the party we are hoping to break the camp down
in preparation for an early departure but there is still lots to
experience before we get to that point. It has all gone so
quickly.
Debbie Phillips
Posted 05-08-11
Activities
After a
spectacular opening ceremony everyone was launched into activities.
For the first day of activities our unit did 'People' which was to
do with different cultures and different types of people. There
were stations inside of the activity such as Raffa Raffa, a great
game, and a silly play on the stage to make us all happy. At the
end of each activity we get given a bead that goes on a leather
bracelet. The activities finish at 3 o'clock allowing enough time
to get to know more people and to swap more stuff.
The next day we all set off to go to Quest. Quest had bigger
stations such as a maze and a obstacle course which was great fun,
even in the rain. The obstacle course was sprinted by patrols not
wanting to loose. But some parts were not fun such as nearly
sitting on an ant's nest or being attacked by slugs.
Earth followed the next day. The main sections in earth were air
(where we had to build a windmill out of card, bolts and wood),
soil (where we had to filter water through different soils and
talk about whether it would be safe to drink not
taste whether it was safe to drink. But hey pictures
as instructions can be confusing especially for explorers with the
mental age of 3), and water where there was a big trough full of
sand and we had to make a river through the middle but there were
factories and animals in the way and we had to make sure they
didn't die. Well that theory went down the drain as the water got
pored at the top of the 'river'. That night the Narwhale
patrol swapped with a Hong Kong patrol for dinner. We had fried
rice, roasted vegetables and baked beans and sausage.
Megan Selley
Posted 04-08-11
Mid week update
Having had a "lie in" following the Dream experience, which was
an activity taking place in the forest starting at 11 PM finishing
at 3 AM in the morning. It was based on reflection, thinking about
your place in the world and looking at how other people deal with
problems in their part of the world. I think everybody found it
fascinating.
Wednesday was a rest day so we decided to take advantage of the
fantastic weather and spend part of the day on the beach. It
is a hard life you know!
In the evening we joined the crowd who went to watch unit 10
perform their song and dance act on the stage in The Castle, which
is the English food house here on site.
Woke this morning to find the weather was cooler. This afternoon
is the cultural festival where we are serving home made scones and
hoping to experience food from around the world. At teatime there
is a carnival around the site and then everybody is going to the
main arena for the evening entertainment.
Can't believe that we will all be home this time next week.
Debbie Phillips
Posted 02-08-2011
Camp in Camps
Currently we are on the bus back to the main site
after completing our "Camp in Camp" hopefully will be back about
3pm. The location was located about 3 hours from the main Jamboree
site near the Norwegian border and the whole unit has travelled and
camped together. During our 24 hours we went swimming and canoeing,
cooked our tea over open fires and had a campfire which was really
good, there were all nationalities there, including some Scouts
from Israel, Ireland, Namibia and Holland.
We found a shop and treated everybody to an ice cream last
night. Everybody, well certainly the girls, are looking forward to
a shower, the toilets were disgusting (a hole in the
ground!)
Tonight we are on "Dream" which takes place in the woods
and is meant to be time for reflection, don't expect to get bed
until 3am. Tomorrow is a day off, recovery time, so our plan is to
take everybody to the beach if weather ok. Today it is very hot and
sunny, a real relief after the first few days.
Debbie
Phillips
Read more about this event at http://www.worldscoutjamboree.se/2011/07/camp-in-camp-begins/
Posted 29-07-2011
Opening Ceremony
Hi Everyone! Emily here!
Last night was the official start of the Jamboree and we
definitely started in style! Each subcamp paraded down into the
main arena in a world of different uniforms and sat in the crowd of
39,000; not something you could say every day!
The ceremony began with the flags from the 160+ countries living
in our city for the week. We then had a visit from the main man
himself: the Bear! He abseiled in and flipped off the stage,
reminding us all of the sense of adventure which Scouting gives
us.
A host of entertainment, from dancing to flame throwing, took us
along the journey of Swedish history, before the event organizers
and the Chairperson of the Worldwide Scout Association declared the
ceremony open!
All of our unit are now buzzing and ready to take on all of the
excitement the World has to offer - if a little damp along the
way!
Emily
Posted 28-07-2011
Copenhagan
Author: Megan Selley
& Daniel Hadaway (Jamboree unit 9)
After
saying goodbye to all of our parents at Lymm services we hopped on
a plane that would takes us to the start of the jamboree
experience. Once arriving in gorgeous Copenhagen we got bussed to
the Cabinn Scandinavia hostel, where we were allocated our rooms,
themed as a boat.
The next morning was spent seeing some of the landmarks in
Copenhagen, such as the little mermaid and the town hall. Later we
all made our way to point B (The Docks) where we all then went onto
a speed boat travelling up to 50 knots. As soon as we got off the
speed boat we made our way to the sports complex via the metro.
In the sports complex we all were given an activity that we
were allowed to do, varying from zumba to roller skating and
Picasso arts. Each was thoroughly enjoyed by all the scouts
and the leaders and we all met new people and got a chance to do
activities that we wouldn't normally do or get the chance to
do.
However the adventure didn't stop there after we did our 2
activities we then went to Tivoli gardens theme park where we had
our supper and then split up into different groups where we enjoyed
our time on all the different rides where we all had yet another
opportunity to speak to the rest of the UK scouts whilst waiting
for the rides.
On the last day that we spent in Copenhagen all the UK
contingents came together for a pre jamboree party which was
awesome! We had bands on stage playing and other forms of
entertainment. The majority of scouts were in the arena raving all
night long ignoring the fact that they had to be up next morning at
5 o'clock to travel to Sweden!