Halfway Around the World!

Day 1, we don our Scout uniforms and head for the airport. Day 2, we converge with Scouts from 158 countries in South Korea, the host of the 25th World Scout Jamboree. Among the 43,000 participants are 2 members of 51st Bath Scouts! Charlie, a Scout, as a participant, and Ashley, our Lead Volunteer, who is volunteering as an Assistant Subcamp Chief.

World Scout Jamborees are run every four years and bring together Scouts from everywhere to camp and build a community that will extend long past the event. Scouts are only selected to attend after a rigorous process, to recruit those with the right attitude and resilience. In the two years prior, Scouts are trained and prepared. Trained to work together as a unit; to look after themselves far away from home.

“It was a real build-up and when we got the airport, we were all really excited” remarks Charlie. “Landing in South Korea, seeing lots of other Scouts from different countries around was amazing” he says, “they even had banners up welcoming Scouts to the Jamboree in the airport!”

This year’s Jamboree was hit with challenges, but neither Charlie or Ashley were phased. Charlie remained with an upbeat attitude, making friends and making the most of an extended visit to Seoul. Ashley was one of the last international volunteers on site, making sure everyone departed safely from his subcamp.

“It might have been different and quite challenging at times” says Ashley. “But we still made a great Jamboree experience.” Even in between flooding, heat, monsoon rains, and an incoming typhoon, Scouts met, shared stories, danced, and cooked for each other. “Schnitzels made for me by some German Scouts, that was my favourite” Ashley adds.