Essex Explorer Scouts who are attending the 21st World Scout Jamboree at Hylands Park, Chelmsford are going to be updating this blog as the Jamboree progresses with all the latest news of what's going on both with the onsite and offsite activities.

Thursday 2nd August

Sam Elvin – Eastie Beasties

We headed off to Terrville in the morning and we would be staying there all day. First we hit the food tent and we tried different foods from all over the world including India, Turkey, Japan and Holland.

There are loads of different tents in Terraville, all representing a different county – in each tent there are different activities, crafts or games for us to take part in. We went to the Swedish sport tent and found a craft tent where we made woggles. Even during our lunch we were entertained, we sat on the grass and watched knights jousting.
 
In the afternoon I had a go at Cross Country Ski-ing and American Baseball. I tried some Swedish Cherry Tea, which was really sweet – but very good!

While going round Terraville we got our Participant Handbook stamped – it all ties in with our Friendship award that we can earn at the Jamboree.

In the evening we had entertainment on our Subcamp. All the units on the Subcamp were invited to come and perform on the stage – we had everything from Japanese Rock to our ‘Bohemian Jamboree’

Its been great to exchange cultures with so many people. 

Tuesday 31st July

Peter Beresford-Gamble – Essex East

Today we are visiting the Trash Activity. The first section of Trash focuses on Music, using dustbins as drums to make different rhythms. We soon moved onto the Art section, where we are using bottles, cones, lids and other random rubbish to construct a huge piece of artwork. We also took part in the Trash Challenge – which is where we work as a team using rubbish to do simple tasks. It taught us all about recycling. The final section of Trash was a Quiz – full of facts and trivia to really get us thinking about global issues of recycling and saving the planet.

That night we had an international food festival on our Subcamp. Each contingent set up a stall with the food of their country. The Belgium scouts had chocolate fondue, America had ‘peanut butter and jelly’ sandwiches and we had English Tea and cucumber sandwiches. It was really good to get to try other foods and learn more about other cultures.

Monday 30th July

Matt Arthur – West Unit

We woke up, collected Breakfast and arranged our pack lunches. And soon we were off on our way to Gilwell via the Jamboree coaches. I slept most the way on the coach – I obviously wanted to conserve my energy.

When we arrived it was straight to the Village Green, where there were loads of activities to keep us occupied including; Coconut Shy, Stack Its and a Buz Wire Game. The first section of Gilwell was Scouting Skills – cooking on an open fire and making balisters and firing wooden balls at targets. It was good fun. The second section was mountain and motion – where I did Abseiling, BMX Biking and helter-skelter. I then did mountain biking, grass sledging. We then went to the Village Green for lunch.

In the afternoon we went to the Discovery Section and learnt about scouting History and why Gilwell is so important. It was really interesting to know why Gilwell is considered UK NSO Headquarters. We then went to Adventure section and we did the Assault Course – there were loads of obstacles, it was really exhilarating – its been developed recently and the improvements are great.

Finally, after a full day’s activity we were back on the coach, I took another opportunity to charge my batteries and slept on the way back. We had dinner when we got back to site – but we burnt the rice so our leaders bought us chips!

Tonight we are having a Subcamp Show – where members of my Subcamp can come up on the stage. I’m looking forward to seeing all the different cultures and traditional dress and dances.

Saturday 28th July

Matt Funnell and Jess Preston: Eastie Beasties

JP: We started the morning of by cooking breakfast, showering and putting on some make up – because today we needed to look our best, for we were going to be meeting Royalty.

MF: We met the Prince William at the Hyland Park Pleasure Garden and guided him through to the One World Garden.

JP: I was really honoured to have the opportunity to meet Prince William and really proud to share scouting with him.

MF: We told him how the idea of the Garden came about and how the money was gained. We introduced Prince William to Sue Island who is part of the Chelmsford Council and who had influenced the creation of the One World Garden.

JP: We then went and watched the Opening Ceremony. My Mum makes all the costumes – so it was great to see the cast.

MF: It was amazing to see all the people packed into the field, it really made you realise the scale of the event.

JP: After the Opening Ceremony we had some time to relax and look around before dinner. After Dinner we headed back to the main stage to party alongside 30,000 other scouts and guides from all over the world.

MF: It was a great way to begin the Jamboree.

Friday 27th July

Matt Smith – West Unit

We got up as usual before heading down to the main gate. The Americans and French were the first to arrive from the Stanstead Coaches. After swapping some badges and talking for a bit, we helped carry their luggage and their heavy wooden kit boxes.

In the Afternoon we were given some time to wander round the site explorering all the Jamboree has to offer.  I visited the other Essex Units on Wadi and Plateu subcamps before heading back to my unit on Rainforest subcamp.

As the evening drew in, there were still scouts arriving from all over the world. The transport team issued us with High-Vis jackets and radios and we helped to guide all the new arrivals to their sub camps. Language could be a barrier, especially with some confused Columbians – but there was always a translator on hand and a friendly voice down the radio if we needed assistance. 

My favourite part of the experience was helping some boys from Bangledesh and Thailand. It was about 3 ‘o’ clock in the morning when we finished and although tired, I really felt like the Jamboree was officially starting and that is a really exciting thought.

Thursday 26th July

James Clark - North Essex Unit:

We took the coach to North Weald Air Field. This is where we checked in and got our World Scout Jamboree scarves and passes. Once we had gathered our gear, it was a quick 30 minute drive to Hylands Park, we entered at gate One and got off at the main bus terminal.

Once we unloaded we had to carry our kit to our sub camp. We’re camping on Plateau, which is part of the Mountain Hub. It was really windy when we arrived so we had to help each other put our tents up so it took some time.

Once we had put up the group Marquee, we headed off to the UK BBQ and Party. The Party was really good, once you got into the crowd and started jumping you didn’t even notice that you were knee deep in mud. The atmosphere was buzzing and everyone was hyped up. The acts that appeared on stage were quite famous like Liberty X and Lemar.

Since arriving I’ve already met some Americans and I can’t wait to meet more people from all over the world. I’m really excited about being a participant at the World Scout Jamboree. Prince William is visiting site tomorrow – so I’m really looking forward to the Opening Ceremony.