International Adventurers
Biggest Ever Aussie Contingent at World Scout Jamboree
692 Scouts from around Australia took up almost three entire planes as they crossed the Pacific Ocean for “most exciting event of the year.”
On 17 July, 692 members of Scouts Australia, including 527 Scouts aged 14 to 18, checked in at Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane airports ahead of a once in a lifetime trip to the US for the 47,000 strong World Scout Jamboree 2019.
To travel to the biggest Scout gathering in the world, the Australian Scouts racked up a total of 28,200 flight hours, taking up almost the entire economy cabins of three Qantas planes on long-haul journeys to Washington DC via Los Angeles, New York and Dallas.
VIC and NSW have the biggest contingent with 240 and 233 respectively, as 119 members made the trip from QLD. SA has 42 participants WA has 24, with ACT, TAS and NT sending 19, 11 and 4 lucky members respectively.
Once Stateside, the biggest ever Australian contingent joined up with around 47,000 other Scouts from 170 different countries around the world.
The Jamboree, running in West Virginia, US, from 22 July – 2 August, is an entirely youth-led, adult-supported event. Scouts will surround themselves in diverse international cultures by joining new friends from around the globe for 12 unforgettable days.
Phil Harrison, Chief Commissioner Scouts Australia explained: “The World Scout Jamboree is one of the most exciting events in the calendar for any Scout.
“This year’s theme ‘Unlock a New World’ is so fitting because our youth are getting the opportunity to literally unlock a world of possibilities.
“Scouts will be presented with a range of age-appropriate challenges which they will need to work together to solve, developing real leadership and teamwork skills in the process while having a great time with friends new and old.
“For our 692 members making the trip to the US, is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many to experience living away from home with different personalities for the first time.
Scouts Australia International Commissioner Aaron Wardle praised members for going to extreme lengths to make sure they didn’t miss out on the “international experience”.
Aaron said: “It’s an amazing opportunity for thousands of young people to mix with peers from up to 170 different countries to explore and learn important life skills and build confidence and resilience.
“Not every teenager in Australia gets to travel across the world with friends for 12 days of fun, so no one will be taking this for granted.
“It will be an amazing experience for all involved and credit goes to participants for working hard to make it happen, many of whom raised the money needed to make the dream a reality.”
Deputy Contingent Leader and Scouts NSW International Commissioner Lloyd Nurthen said the skills and life lessons that participants will develop at the World Scout Jamboree will be invaluable.
He added: “Scouting taught me the foundations to life. It has given me the ability to think clearly and practically when approaching any situation as well as the ability to be organised.
“These skills are nurtured at events such as the World Scout Jamboree and they matter to our youth members. What they learn will help them become responsible citizens as members of their local, national and international communities.”
