Local scouts off to Japan for Jamboree

Four local scouts form part of the South African contingent of 142 scouts and 36 adult leaders who are travelling to Japan this week for the 23rd World Scout Jamboree.

Bridget Brookstone, Sarah Evans, Matthew Eckhart and Devon Garland and their adult leaders Malcolm Micklethwaite, Gerard Evans and Sean-Felix Dickinson are quite excited to depart from OR Tambo International Airport today, Wednesday 22 July. They are travelling to Yamaguchi City, Japan where altogether 32 000 scouts and leaders from 144 countries will meet up. The Jamboree is a celebration of scouting held every four years in a different country and will be held from 28 July to 8 August.

The South African contingent of 178 people from different provinces camped at the Gilwell campsite next to Florida Lake since Sunday 19 July to bond and prepare. According to Andrew Tanner, head of the International Service Team, scouting started in 1907 in England and has steadily been growing in South Africa. He believes it a great learning school for children to prepare for their adult lives.

“When people think of scouts, they think of tying knots and campfires, but we believe in developing children’s leadership and strategic [planning] skills,” Tanner told the Record.

“Every exercise, albeit fun and practical, is meant to teach the children to take leadership on projects, to be prepared for challenges and to think for themselves.”

The contingent should safely arrive in Yamaguchi tomorrow (Thursday 23 July) five days ahead of schedule and will enjoy a pre-tour of the city, travelling to the South of Japan where the camping site is.

The children are very excited to represent their country and even took their mascots (plush rhinoceros, springbok and sheep, among others) with.

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