Thanks for the memories!

The Jamboree is over. Scouts from all over the world have left for trips, short or long – some are leaving for home and some for new adventures. In only a few hours most participants had left the camp. A green field dotted with remnants of tents was the only thing left.

Countless of meetings have inspired friendship that will last a life time. Over the past two weeks, more than 40 000 Scouts took part in the largest Jamboree to date.

For many participants and adults this Jamboree marked their first international Scouting experience. Others, however, have travelled to multiple Jamboree’s, having had the opportunity to watch the Jamboree scene change, grow and expand.

Looking forward to Japan in 2015, participants will have huge opportunities in the way of exploring nature, science, global issues, community service, cultures and water activities. Being held from July 28 until August 8, 2015, the 23^rd World Scout Jamboree in Japan is aiming to host a bigger and better Jamboree than ever seen before.

So, remember the time you spent in Sweden and at the 22^nd World Scout Jamboree. Hold on to your memories and cherish them. For those who want there is a Jamboree Memory Package available for purchase. It contains a 200-page photo book, a video documentary, and lots of extra material.


I would also like to thank our awesome unit leaders for helping us all have the best jamboree experience possible!!!!

See you in Japan!

These links may also be of interest!

http://www.worldscoutjamboree.se

http://www.scouts.org.uk/ukcontingent/cms.php?pageid=1869

http://www.youtube.com/user/UKScoutAssociation?feature=grec_index

http://www.youtube.com/user/simplyscouting?feature=grec_index

http://www.youtube.com/user/wsj2011

http://twitter.com/#!/search/realtime/%23jamboree2011

http://twitter.com/#!/jamboree2011

http://twitter.com/#!/simplyscouting

http://www.facebook.com/jamboree2011

http://www.facebook.com/groups/101709619225/?ref=ts

DAY NINETEEN - 11/08/11 - ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END

We woke up, for the final time, and packed all our stuff away. We quickly ate breakfast and then caught the bus from out side the house.
The bus took us into the center of Lisbon, from where we got on the famous Lisbon trams. We went on a tour around Lisbon on the trams for about an hour. We were then given about half and hours free time in Lisbon in which time we were chased by a drug dealer trying to sell us marijuana.
We got the bus back to the scout house where we finished packing up our own things. We then started cleaning, mopping etc... before we had our lunch.
After lunch, it was announced that we would be going in three 'waves' to the airport. Those that the leaders thought had helped the most over the course of the Jamboree first and then less as the waves went on, so that those who helped the most did the least cleaning of the scout house - I was in the first wave.
When we got to the airport, (it was lovely and air conditioned) we checked in and bought some drinks. When the next wave came we helped them through check in and then the final wave.
We then said goodbye to Anna, Rita and the other nice scout leaders from Portugal which was very emotional. We went through security quite quickly and easily and then went to board the plane. We quickly boarded and the British Airways plane was by far the best yet - we even got leather seats. We took off and were given food and drink, and due to Josh complaining when the air hostess wouldn't give him a £100 watch for free, we were given all the left over food and drink on the plane to share. The flight went quite quickly and before we knew it we were making our final decent. On the way down we all sang the various chants and songs that we had been repeating throughout the Jamboree and finished the last line of the Jamboree Song exactly as the plane touched down - everyone, including the public, cheered.
We got off the plane and sleepily got our bags and took then into the arrivals hall. When we were there we all said goodbye to Rosie as she was going to Norway from Heathrow the next morning so wasn't coming back on the coach with us - this was also incredibly emotional.
We then all got on the coach and left for Woodhouse park. We stopped at out usual services - Reading, where we were all bought a meal before. For the next part of the journey I made the mistake of sleeping and woke up with a temporary tatoo on my cheek.
At about 1am, we finally arrived. True to her word, Kathryn was in her hi-vis jacket guiding the coach in.
We all did one last round of 'shake the pony' before everyone hugged everyone else and left with their families.
The Jamboree was over.

DAY EIGHTEEN - 10/08/11 - THE BEACH

We woke up slightly later on Wednesday as we were all really tired after the last few late nights (most of us didn't go to bed until 4am the night before). As usual, we packed our things for the day, moved everything for breakfast. Most people then got in the mini buses to take us to the station but there wasn't enough room for all of us so some of us waited.
The mini buses then came back and took us to the station where we caught the train along the coast of the river/estuary. This took about half an hour. 
When we go off it was only a short walk to the beach. We all went into the sea which was surprisingly much colder than the Baltic had been the week before in Sweden! We spent the majority of the day, going in and out of the sea, eating ice cream, burying people in the sand (much more fun when their asleep) and chatting.
At about 3:30 - 4pm, we decided to go back. We missed the train by about 1min so had to wait quite a while for the next one. The train eventually came and the journey back passed quite quickly. We then came out of the station and waited for the next bus. That took about another 30mins to come. We then got back to the scout house and showered and relaxed. We were having the UK CST/IST based in Portugal and some Portuguese scouts over for dinner which was great fun. We spent the evening playing all sorts of awkward Portuguese games, many of which involved kissing and one in particular, where a blind folded person has to eat biscuits on someones body, without knowing. This was all really good, and we met some more really nice Portuguese scouts. We also gave our host UK neckers as well as some Bristol blue glass and our own personal gifts. As the night went on, people started to go to bed and leave, until at 3am, Alan started talking about starting to cook  breakfast so was told to go to bed, and the few people that were still up, cleaning and tidying, soon followed.  


"Wednesday

The Unit really are having a great time in Lisbon, it is so so hot and sunny and their hosts are taking such very good care of them - nothing is too much trouble.  The leaders are all enjoying being looked after a little bit as well.

Yesterday they went to the beach for most of the day, I think the temperature is in the 30's so I hope they all make the most of the sun shine as is so horrid here today.   Everyone looked so tanned in Sweden that I should think with another week of sun shine they will be barely recognisable!

The whole unit went out last night to celebrate their wonderful adventure and to spend the last whole night together.

I will be at Woodhouse later on tonight to Welcome the unit home and look forward to seeing you all then.

"All stories, even the ones we love, eventually come to an end.  And when they do, its only an opportunity for another story to begin. " (Mr Magoriums Wonder Emporium)

I really hope that this is the case for all of the Young People from Avon that have shared the adventure of a life time.


Kathryn
WSJ Bristol"

DAY SEVENTEEN - 09/08/11 - SIGHTSEEING IN LISBOA PART TWO

We woke up early again, and packed our stuff away for breakfast, just like the day before. After breakfast, Anna took us to the local museum to where we were staying - the tile museum. 
We were told about all the different ways tiles have been produced over time in Portugal, and how they are famous for it.
The building that the museum was in, was and old chapel which was almost entirely preserved inside. We also saw a huge picture of the Lisbon skyline made up of tiles. 


After this, Kevin took the people who were really sick to the doctors while the rest of us caught the bus to a park area. We then had our lunch in the shade of the park and wondered around the park for a while. After that, we were taken to a massive tower/monument which represents the from which all the ships left to the Portuguese empire. 
After that, we went to another large church/cathedral which was built from all the money the empire had made. By then it was about 3/4pm and we got back on the bus. We were told that if we wanted to, we could either get off at the stop nearest to the scout house, or carry on to the shopping center at the Lisbon exhibition center. I decided to go.


When we stepped in, it was great because it was so cold. The roof was made of two sheets of glass, with water pumped between them, keeping the building nice and cool. Me, Harry and Sam looked round - I mostly just accessed the shops unprotected wi-fi for about an hour when we all met up again in the foyer.
We then caught the next bus back to the scout house.
When we got back, we all had to be reasonably quiet because the people who were ill and some of the people who hadn't come to the shopping center were asleep. I took a shower and after chatting, playing cards etc... we had dinner.


After dinner, we were taken out to see Lisbon at night again. We went around the streets for a bit, but nowhere would let us all in. Instead, we went back up to the view point where we ate lunch the day before and the view was even better at night. We were then asked whether we wanted to go back or not. We stayed on a bit longer but quite a few people went back. We went on the next load of the mini buses. 
When we got out, I could sense something was wrong, when out of the night I heard "we are knights and we are defending our castle" - suddenly, water balloons were everywhere as well as buckets etc... I managed to get in without getting too wet and we all started preparing for the the next and final wave of mini buses. They took about half an hour which gave us plenty of time to stock up on water balloons and to fill everything we could find, with water, and to bring it up onto the roof. We completely soaked them - especially Beth, who go locked out...twice.
After that, we managed to soak all of the leaders (except Anna who had disappeared to bed shortly after the last group came even though it was her idea. 
After we'd effectivly flooded the scout house, and attempted to drain it, we went to bed, ready for another, not quite so early start the next morning.


Kathryn, our unit leader who sadly was unable to come to the Jamboree, sent an email round every day about what our unit had been doing from what Kev and other leaders/IST had texted her. You can find what she said about this day below:


"Good evening everyone

Firstly I understand that there is some concern from the Young People about the troubles back here in the UK.  These are difficult and indeed dark days but I would like to offer reassurance to all of our young travellers that Bristol has not been very badly affected and last night was a much quieter night here in Bristol.  Please do not worry in Portugal your families and houses are all safe and sound and the troubles in Bristol are contained in the St Pauls area and seems to have stopped here very quickly

Our thoughts go to the other Cities in the UK who have had very very rough and difficult days and we are all proud of you being positve young ambassedors for the UK in Portugal when so much of media is showing the UK youth in such a terrible way.


Tuesday.

The weather has been very good in Portugal and the Unit are having a really lovely time.  The host leaders are really being very very kind to the Unit and are doing are whatever they can to ensure that everyone is having a really good time.   Yesterday the Unit was taken another tour of the City, which I understand is very beautfiul.

They have made some trainsport available to the group and so the Unit are rushing around on the Happy Avon Bus - the Unit were taken on a tour of a Tile Factory (least that is what I think Kevin said!)  They are all enjoying themselves and are all making the most of the last few days of their adventure.

With regards to the travel arrangement home, the leaders are meeting today with a member of the UK management team to confirm all the arrangements and as soon as I have further details I will let you know.  For the time being we believe that the travel arrangements are the same as the original plan that was sent out to you.

I am sure you are all looking forward to having your children home and I hope to be at Woodhouse with you to see the Coach come home.

Apologies for a rather short email today, am in haste tonight!!

Kathryn

WSJ Bristol"

DAY SIXTEEN - 08/08/11 - SIGHTSEEING IN LISBOA PART ONE

We woke up on Monday, from Alan 'accidentally' dropping a stack of metal pan...right next to my head. We then packed up or things and pushed them to the side of the room so that we could get out the tables out for breakfast.
We quickly ate, and then me and some others, gathered everyone's uniforms together, sorted them and took them to be washed as well as getting some money out of the local bank. After that, we took some money out of the 'camp bank' before leaving at about 9:30am.


Rita wasn't there because she was auditioning/being filmed for some Portuguese soap. We caught the bus from outside the scout house and then went to the center of Lisbon, which was beautifully designed. We walked up to the water round (all the while Anna (our host) told us about where we were which was very interesting). We then went to the souvenir shop before walking up the main street in Lisbon, from which we could see a large viewing tower which Anna said we could go up almost the whole way for free. We walked on past a huge fountain, and up one of the steep 'sides' of the Lisbon - this is made much harder by the fact that the pavement are all made out of marble tiles which, although look very nice, give you hardly any grip.
We went into the tower and took loads of photos - the view was great! We then wen't up another fountain and waited there while some people got stamps and medicine (by this times lots of people were casually dying - including me). We were all starving, but Anna wouldn't let us eat, we walked up slightly higher and came to this spot, much higher then the tower which had a small public garden. This was where we had lunch and it was defiantly worth the wait! After that, we went to a old traditional Portuguese ice cream parlor (well that's what Anna told us). I can a scoop of chocolate, strawberry, apple & cinnamon and mango which were without the nicest ice cream I have ever had!
We then walked to this incredible church/cathedral which we looked inside. After that, we went up to a castle which was at, what seemed to be the highest point in Lisbon. We looked around here until about 6pm, when we went back to the scout house, we all showered, chatted and played cards until dinner at about half nine.
After dinner, we were told that, if we wanted, the hosts would take us out to see Portugal at night. Not all of us could fit in the mini buses so we had to wait before getting there and seeing that the place they were going to take us was closed. We went to another place briefly and then went back to the scout house and to bed. 


Kathryn, our unit leader who sadly was unable to come to the Jamboree, sent an email round every day about what our unit had been doing from what Kev and other leaders/IST had texted her. You can find what she said about this day below:


"Monday

Back here in Bristol Lucy returned from Sweden with lots of wonderful memories, a great tan and new friends made from all over the World - although she has worked hard like all the IST she has also very much enjoyed being with the group of people that were in her IST patrol and they are already talking about meeting up in Canada in few years time at a big Scout Jamboree.  The adventure is really not over when they return, in some ways it has only just begun.

The unit were up and about after a good nights rest and the hosts had organised a trip around the City to see the sights, they also were taken to an Ice Cream Parlour which by all accounts was enjoyed by everyone.

Compared to Sweden everything seems very reasonably priced and I think that the Unit is now spending some of their money.  There was not much to buy on Site but think that some of them are making up for it now.

The hosts continued to cook and feed unit and yesterday they had so much food that there was some left over, at the moment the young people have not met any Portugese Scouts as it is their summer holiday season at the moment so most of them are away.  The host leaders are hoping that they will be able to organise a get together with at least some of the Scouts before the Unit comes home.

Last night most of the unit were taken back to the City Centre to see it at night and were in an area a little like the Waterfront in Bristol, all having a lovely time.

The sun is shining and this has helped to get rid of the dreaded WSJ cough which alot of the site seemed to have been suffering with when I visited.

So everyone having a great time, good weater, excellent hosts and lots of smiling scouts and leaders and so the adventure continues.

Kathryn
WSJ BRISTOL" 

DAY FIFTEEN - 07/08/11 - DEPARTURE (4 countries in 1 day)

I woke up, cold and wet, in our lovely refugee camp. We quickly started to pack up the few things we'd got out and lifted our bags onto our heads (the easiest way to carry them). We then walked to the other side of the campsite and waited for our coach to arrive which it finally did after about half an hour of waiting in the cold and wet. I fell asleep on the coach.


We arrived back at Copenhagen airport about three hours later and waited about half an hour for check in to open. We then used the self check in for our tickets and put our bags in (there was a problem with extra baggage which took some time as well. We looked around the shops etc and sat in a posh cafe which I think really annoyed the owner. We then went through security and boarded our air France plane to charles de gaulle airport, Paris. The plane left late and I fell asleep.


When we arrived at charles de gaulle, I was really dehydrated and had a really bad headache. I had been told that it wasn't a nice airport and it was really the worst airport I have ever been in, and we were only there for under an hour! I couldn't but a drink because all my euros were in my main bag, but even if I had some money, because our plane was late we were rushed back through security (which was stupid because we were only one gate down from the ones we'd be leaving from) and straight onto the plane which was another air France (a company I now despise due to the fact that their planes (and airport) were considerably worse than everyone else we traveled with)).
We then took off and I stayed awake for this part of the journey (mainly to get my complimentary drink!) and about two hours later we landed at Lisbon.
We got off the plane, went through security and wen't to reclaim our luggage where we were meat by an airport representative who told us half our bags weren't on the plane. Apparently, because our plane from Copenhagen to charles de gaulle was late (air France's fault), then it had been cheaper (for air France) to annoy us and send half the bags on a later flight, then to keep their plane at their airport for an extra five minutes - starting to understand why I don't like air France now?
Luckily for me, my bag was one of the ones that hadn't been left, so we brought the bags that we had, with us and the IST who had traveled with us, said they'd wait at the airport until midnight when they'd finally come.


We then went out of the airport and met our hosts for our time in Portugal - Anna and Rita who were really nice!
We queued and took the bus to near the scout hut we were staying in and then walked up to it. The area around looked quite dodgy but everyone there seemed really nice and the scout hut we were in was great. Most of us then had a shower as we were all sweaty after being in three different climates. Some of us then spoke to Anna and Rita using a combination of several languages (manly Josh's 'fluent' Spanish before we had dinner which for most people was takeaway chicken and for veggies was lasagna (which came about half an hour after everyone else had finished - but it was so nice and they weren't used to cooking for veggies so i'm not complaining)
After we'd cleaned up we went to bed as it was already almost midnight and we were all tired.


Kathryn, our unit leader who sadly was unable to come to the Jamboree, sent an email round every day about what our unit had been doing from what Kev and other leaders/IST had texted her. You can find what she said about this day below:


"Hi everyone

Thank you once again for all your lovely emails to me.  I hope that my reports will serve as a diary for the young people to help them remember their WSJ experience.  I know that when Lucy went to WSJ she was a little sad that she had not kept a diary but was so busy that it was hard to find the time.  I am not sure how many of the Avon unit would be writing a daily diary but did not see much writing when I was there.

I know a few parents have said that are printing off the emails and that they will keep them for their children as a reminder of what they did each day and also a reminder of what an amazing experience they have had.  Something that they can maybe read another time and enjoy.

I will confirm the travel arrangements with the leaders in the next few days and email out a confirmation email for their return times etc.

Sunday

The unit made their way to their coach stop on Sunday morning, they were all wet and tired but were apparently very good and just got on with it.  A difficult night for both young people and adults alike.  The journey to Portugal went OK,  I think that mostly everyone slept when ever they could,  I am not sure that I would have wanted to be on that plane with the unit after two weeks of camping x forty people!!

They arrived in Portugal without about 8 of the bags which has gone missing somewhere along the line, luckily Ben,a member of the Scout Association from Bristol was travelling with the Unit and so after a bit of fuss and a number of hours the bags were eventually re united with the Unit.

The Unit were met in Portugal and are very lucky as are being hosted by a really friendly group of Scout leaders who have made the group feel very very welcome.  They are staying in a Scout hall on the outskirts of the City and when they arrived they were taken to the hut and given some much needed food.  The hall was hot showers, a real luxury after cold showers on camp for ten days.

The host leaders have even taken away some of the washing for everyone and are bringing it back all clean and tidy - how kind (and brave!)

Avon was just so pleased to arrive and I know that the leaders were very relieved that the somewhat sketchy plans that they had been given did actually come together.


Kathryn
WSJ BRISTOL"

DAY FOURTEEN - 06/08/11 - THE CLOSING CEREMONY

We all woke up, sadly knowing that today was the last day of the jamboree. Alan's patrol cooked breakfast and then we were told that we had until mid-day to do whatever we wanted and then we'd have to all work hard to pack everything up.

I decided i'd do some washing because otherwise I wouldn't have any clean cloths for Portugal. After that, I went down to the swapping area with Harry and swapped one or two things before looking after Alex's stall for him for a bit.

After that we wen't back to the campsite just before 12 where we first had lunch. Our first task after cleaning up from lunch was to take down our gateway and to take the pioneering poles back. After that I was given some important paperwork and put in charge of bringing all the kit back to the sub-camp (tables, benches, axes etc...) which took quite along time. When we got back we found that only the dinning shelter and hobs remained. We had a dinner of hot dogs and then I took the stoves and fire blankets and checked them in too. After that we took the crate and it's content to the other side of the jamboree site (that stuff way heavy!) where we expertly packed it all in including the urn which (because technically we weren't allowed it) became a 'large kettle'. We then went back to the campsite to find it was now just an empty field. I put my soft shell on and we took our holdalls to some Yorkshire scouts who kindly said we could keep them in their tents as they weren't leaving until later.

We then all went down to the closing ceremony and were seated around a big central stage with speakers with mini stages in a circle around us. The show started with the latest episode of 'Jam N' and then we 'simply discovered a new friend' - and that quite literally everyone in the world knows the theme music to 'F.r.i.e.n.d.s'. Afterwards, we met our presenters, who wasted no time in getting is to do a huge Mexican wave which went in loops around the main stage. they then introduced the Belgian entry to euro vision and we were deafened by the cheers of the Belgians who were standing next to us. After her the writer of the jamboree song preformed it (we sang that song three times that night and it was great every single time!) Afterwards, we were amazed that Europe played - who awesome! 

Throughout all this it chucked it down with rain and although almost none of us had coats - it din't damped the spirits any of the 40,000+ people watching. To top it all off. The king of Sweden make a speech before launching a rocket (something which is apparently quite common in Swedish scouting but we couldn't image our queen doing) which started the most amazing firework display I have ever seen!

The whole closing ceremony can be viewed here and the UK's video from the closing ceremony can be viewed here

After the amazing closing ceremony, I gave my soft shell to Laura becasue she got really cold, and we went to the Yorkshire campsite where we took all the bags down to the sub camp cafe which technically we weren't allowed in, but by this time, the rain had turned into a full blown thunderstorm so we made our own little refugee camp inside. We all lay down and got under blankets etc after we'd fixed a few leaks. Then, somewhere between pages 5 and 10 of issue five of Hej Jam I fell asleep. 

Kathryn, our unit leader who sadly was unable to come to the Jamboree, sent an email round every day about what our unit had been doing from what Kev and other leaders/IST had texted her. You can find what she said about this day below:

"Saturday

Today was the day that the big pack up started, it was always going to be a little tricky as everything had to packed up and the site cleared by mid day, including all the cooking equipement but the unit was not leaving site until 4 am on Sunday morning.  Not the best plan for the leaders and I know today was going to be a real challenge.  We spent a good few hours on Friday trying to work out the best way to get everything packed up but still managing to feed forty people with a very limted shop.  Not really a challenge that the leaders needed after a very two weeks.

The Unit packed and everyone was a little sad,  everywhere the site is being taken apart and the camp that has been so full of fun for the last ten days was gradually disappering.  The kids had the chance for some last minute badge swapping and the leaders did a check on passports etc.  There was a lot of work to be done and the sun got hotter and hotter.  There was some time for some good byes and some exchanging of details so that friendshlps made could continue on facebook - some friendships made that will last a life time and will cross over the World. 

The day moved on and then the bags were packed and Avon were allowed to put their bags in the Sub camp cafe as they had such an anti social coach time.   In the mean time just outside the site, coach after coach were parking up.  Row upon row upon row of coach all ready to take Scouts to their destination. 

The excitement grew and grew as the closing ceremony got closer and once again, all 40,000 scouts made their way to the main arena, lots of flags and uniforms and lots of excitement.  The Kind of Sweden, Carl XV1, went on stage to say hello and goodbye to everyone and even though there was some rain nothing could take away the atmosphere. So many memories and so much fun had been had.

When I was on site I asked Elenya, Sam P, Jake and  Dan if all the hard work had been worth it and without hesitatiion they all said yes, everyone I spoke to said they had never imagined that it would be so fantastic. 

After the closing ceremony had finished, with lots of tears, the unit went back to the cafe and then had a long wait till the next journey would start.  There was a huge thunder storm and everyone was a little tired.  Matt from Solar stayed with the unit to help them transfer to the coach stop.  Thank you Matt very much, and eventually all the heavy kit bags and 40 tired people made their way off site and onto the coach. 

Good bye WSJ Sweden and Hello Portugal

Kathryn
WSJ Bristol"