Scouts from Aston Clinton and Wendover selected for an adventure of a lifetime

People

Adam Kellett, Tabitha Clark & Nathan Gray from 1st Wendover and Alex Wall from 1st Aston Clinton have been selected to be part of the Buckinghamshire Unit to represent the UK at the 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Japan in 2015. They will be part of a unit of 36 young people aged 14-17, who will be guided by four volunteer leaders from the County who have been specially selected to support the unit during their adventure.

Adam, Alex, Nathan and Tabitha were selected after impressing at a special selection event in November. At the event they had to carry out many tasks which demonstrated teamwork, problem solving, dedication to the task and empathy. Lead volunteer Dave Tichener said “The selection event gave young people a great opportunity to take part in a range of different challenging exercises in an environment that was outside their comfort zone.

Preparation for the Jamboree has already begun and will continue for nearly two years. During this time there will be joint activities with other members of the unit, along with fund raising events and getting to know a bit more about the Japanese culture and customs. During this time all members of the unit will grow in confidence and learn many new skills. The unit will bond over a series of weekend camps and activities on the lead up to the Jamboree to ensure they are fully prepared for the trip.

Adam, Alex, Nathan and Tabitha will be part of the 2,400 Scouts and Guides attending the Jamboree from across the UK. Before the event the UK Contingent will travel to Tokyo before heading down to Kirara-hama where the specially built Jamboree site is located.

Over the 10 days at the Jamboree, they will join with 30,000 Scouts from around the world and will camp, live and work together for 10 unforgettable days of celebration and international friendship. They will work together to find out about each Country’s cultures and faiths, learn new skills, take part in adventurous activities and tackle some of the biggest issues facing the world today.

Attending the Jamboree is an opportunity of a lifetime for them and the rest of the UK Contingent to represent the 500,000 UK Scout Association members. Not only will they get to meet 30,000 people from nearly every country in the world – and share their knowledge and experiences whilst working towards greater international understanding – this Jamboree offers them the chance to learn new skills that they can use in other aspects of their life.

Between now and the summer of 2015 they will bond with the unit from Buckinghamshire, learning how to live and work together for their adventure of a life time. Activities will include:

  • Fundraising as a unit the £3,000 per participant attendance fee,
  • Building a sense of team work and togetherness,
  • Prepare for a period of three weeks away from home in a very different cultural setting.
  • Developing the skills needed and prepare themselves for the life changing experience

Chief Scout, Bear Grylls said: “Congratulations to Adam, Alex, Nathan and Tabitha and all the other UK volunteers who have been selected lead Scouts from Buckinghamshire to the Jamboree in Japan. While lots of people know that Scouting is all about adventure, they often don’t realize that adult volunteers get to do just as much as our young members through their involvement. The World Scout Jamboree is a great example of this. Over the course of the Jamboree they will be able to meet people from around the world, take part in amazing adventures and experiences, and be challenged to think about global issues in a new light. I wish them all the best and I know they are going to have an amazing time over the next two years.”