£14 million raised, 2.3 million hours spent fundraising, 48,000 days of pre-event training is all it took for Hernes Hill scouts Iris Tunely and Flynn O’ Rourke to join 45,000 others from 150 countries to attend the 24th World Scout Jamboree, writes Hillary Chaisson….
After months of anticipation, scouts from all over the UK arrived in North America for the experience of a lifetime.
Ten scouts are from the Southwark district.
The World Scouts Jamboree allowed two weeks for scouts to learn new skills and teach a few of their own.
The opening celebration took place on the 23rd of July where 45,000 people gathered together, flags representing each country varied from the UK, USA, Pakistan, Kenya, and everything in-between.
Before jetting off Iris Tunely, 14, said before arriving to the Jamboree: “I cant wait to learn life changing skills and try all the high adventure activities they have got planned.
“I am most looking forward to the social aspect of the Jamboree, it puts me outside of my comfort zone.
“I have never done white water rafting before, but I am going to give it a go, because if not at the Jamboree, then when?”
The opening ceremony was hosted by UK Chief Scout Bear Grylls, who said: “The World Scout Jamboree only happens every four years and tens of thousands of scouts attend each one.
“They are incredible festivals of peace, friendship, and adventure
“Young people will make friends for life with people from over 150 countries, experience different foods, languages, and cultures while learning new skills.”
The 2019 Jamboree is jointly hosted by USA, Canada, and Mexico, it’s theme, “unlock a new world” which focuses on creating a sustainable world.
To highlight the Jamboree’s impact a few days in Flynn O’Rourke, 15, said “Today we’ve been to the global development village where we learnt all about how Scouting and Girlguiding can support refugees.
“It’s made us feel so privileged in comparison and makes us think how we can do more as scouts to help.”