World Scout Jamboree
Aussie Scouts On Trip-of-a-Lifetime to World Scout Jamboree
692 Australian Scouts are having an unforgettable experience at the biggest Scout gathering in the world.
Right now, 692 Australian Scouts are embracing new adventures and challenges at the 24th World Scout Jamboree. The cultural and skills festival is happening right now in the hills of West Virginia, the United States of America. Bringing together over 50,000 other Scouts from 152 countries, the event offers young people the chance to learn new skills that they can use in other aspects of their life and taste high adventure.
On 23rd July, Bear Grylls, Chief Ambassador of World Scouting, got the biggest cheer as he rappelled into the Opening Ceremony from the roof of the main stage. While on stage, Bear delivered an inspirational address urging Scouts to make the most of their time at the Jamboree and learn as many skills as they can to take them back to their home countries. “Scouts are changing our society for the better, from inside out – an unstoppable force for good – and we are only just getting started,” Bear said during the empowering speech. Closing out the energising ceremony was an upbeat performance using recycled instruments, followed by a unique drone show. Taking everyone’s breath away, the drones manoeuvred into different patterns to form shapes, words and logos. Watch the replay here.
Australian Contingent Leader, Shane Troyahn, said “The young people on this adventure are experiencing the opportunity of a lifetime. The skills they are developing, friendships that are forming, and the adventures they are experiencing will last them for many years to come.”
Before arriving at the Scout Jamboree, the Australians toured through Washington DC for four days. The action-packed adventure included visits to iconic American venues such as The White House, Washington Monument, Capitol Hill and the Lincoln Memorial. During their self guided stay, Scouts also visited venues such as the Smithsonian museums, Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon.
While also on pre tour, the contingent travelled up to Baltimore to watch the Baltimore Orioles defeat the Boston Red Sox. For many this was a dream come true to experience the atmosphere of an American stadium game. The green and gold contingent shirts were easy to spot amongst the crowd!
Alongside adventurous outdoor activities, Scouts at the Jamboree are able to interact through the Better World exhibition and the Global Development Village to strengthen their understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This comes as part of World Scouting’s flagship “Scouts for SDGs” initiative which has pledged to make the world’s largest coordinated youth contribution to the SDGs by 2030.
The Jamboree is nothing short of a fully operational city. The campsite stretches over 4,000 hectares of land and is considered to be one of the most advanced and sustainable adventure bases for young people in the world. The 24th World Scout Jamboree will feature the hallmark programs of past World Scout Jamborees while also offering access to the most advanced adventure facility base for youth in the world, the Summit Bechtel Reserve.
