World Scouts Jamboree 2023: South Korea In August, most major news outlets had extensive coverage of the international Jamboree in South Korea. Most focused on the difficulties of dealing with an epic heatwave and the inability of the organisers to keep all their visitors safe and comfortable. But was it complete failure? Wendover News asked members of the Buckinghamshire contingent (known as the ‘Bucks Beacons’) to give their first-hand account. This was provided by scout Adam Hodges, with photographs by Phill Rycraft, Scout Leader, 1st Wendover.
local area, found countless amazing coffee and cake shops, hired paddle boards, and paddled on the Han River in the shadow of the Lotte World Tower (the sixth tallest building in the world).
Held in Saemangeum, South Korea, the World Scout Jamboree brought together 45,000 Scouts from across the world. In the year before the event, the Bucks Beacons, with 36 young people aged 14-17 and four leaders, participated in training activities, getting to know each other, learning how to camp, cook and stay healthy while abroad.
Later in the evening we “Being in the mountains by Seoul went up the tower and hiking down from the Buddhist temples some of the unit walked and walking through waterfalls across the Sky Bridge, a to cool off” - Matt’s highlight walkway 500m above the city. We also visited the beautiful Gyeongbokgung Palace and dressed up in traditional Scouts also ran their own local fund-raising campaigns with a Hanbok clothing. target of £3,670 each, from activities that supported their local communities. Local scouts Rory Atwell “The official closing ceremony was an and Adhi Khan would like to thank opportunity for all 45,000 participants all Wendover News readers who so to come together one final time for an generously helped them. amazing K-pop concert and firework display. The final time in South Korea The first five days of the 20-day included a hike to Bibong Peak, followed adventure were spent travelling to Seoul by a day trip to the De-Militarised Zone via Amsterdam, then exploring some of (DMZ) that borders North Korea, then a the sights in and near to the city. Adam trip to the Caribbean Bay water park.” recalls the impact of then arriving at the jamboree site: “We arrived quite late in What stood out for Adam was the the afternoon and only had a short time close bond that members of the unit to drop our kit and set up camp before an developed. He recalls one participant Mikey Bancroft and Ceri ‘making amazing opening ceremony. It included a saying: “The jamboree wasn’t what the best of the situation...’ flag parade of every country attending, I expected, but learning to trust the an appearance from Bear Grylls with people in my unit has helped me K-pop, and a drone show to finish. “We were 500m above Seoul in Lotte Tower and one develop the strongest friendships I’ve 45,000 scouts sharing the same passion of the Scouts started playing the piano, then another ever experienced.” and energy – it’s something we will never started singing, I was in shock at how talented they forget”. He also said, “The World Scout Jamboree were, and to see them express themselves with such was an incredible opportunity for us passion was amazing.” Phill Rycraft, Unit Leader. In the end the Bucks group only stayed scouts to broaden our horizons, make at the Jamboree camp for four days. The new friends, and develop important life situation of the heatwave and inadequate facilities, with a typhoon skills. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I would do it threatening to follow, was widely publicised. Adam explained all over again if I could.” Fellow adventurer Abigail added “Although “Despite those challenges the Jamboree was not quite the experience I expected, it was the The Bucks Beacons experience I got, and I loved every minute. It has changed me so endured, and dare I say much and is truly the best thing that has ever happened to me.” even thrived, in the face of adversity. The hotter it got Adam concluded “Although the official jamboree adventure is the more opportunity for ending, the memories and friendships we have made will stay with water fights! us forever. Many of us are looking to attend the Poland jamboree in 2027, while others extend their Scouting experience by inspiring “After being advised to the next generation of Scouts to follow us. Either way, the legacy of leave the camp seven days the Bucks Beacons lives on through all of us.” earlier than planned, the “We had some of the most amazing food, Bucks Beacons travelled The full original report by Adam Hodges, and further photographs although due to the language barrier back to Seoul and can be found on wendovernews.co.uk. we were not always sure what we were improvised a programme eating!” - Nick Warner to make the best of the For details of Scouting in Buckinghamshire: www.bucks-scouts.org. situation. We explored the uk and for 1st Wendover Scouts, www.1stwendoverscouts.co.uk. 18
Wendover News November 2023
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