HERTFORDSHIRE SCOUTS TAKE PART IN INTERNATIONAL JAMBOREE
Adam Binnie
July 27, 2011
More than 4,000 scouts from across the UK will be settling in to the
first day of a fortnight long “Jamboree” in Sweden.
For the past 18 months, 90 scouts from Hertfordshire have been
fundraising so that they and scouts from Armenia, Papua New Guinea,
Sierra Leone can go to The World Scout Jamboree.
The event is held every four years and attracts about 40,000 boys and
girls, aged 14-18, from 150 countries. It is the biggest gathering
of young people in the world.
This year the event takes place in Rinkabe, near Kristianstad, from
today until to August 7.
Each scout has to raise about £2,000 for the whole trip, and part of
the money helps people from poorer countries who otherwise would not
be able to attend.
The UK contingent has helped three patrols of ten Scouts each, from
Armenia in Eastern Europe, Sierra Leone in Africa and Papua New Guinea
in Australasia.
Tom Smith, of Edinburgh Avenue in Mill End, is a member of the
Explorers at Batchworth Sea Scouts.
The 16-year-old’s fundraising efforts included organising quiz
nights, bag-packing at supermarkets, making cakes and selling them
at a Swedish-themed coffee and cake session. He also made and sold
greetings cards.
The St Clement Danes School pupil said: “I enjoyed all the effort. It
was great fun. I’m very much looking forward to the jamboree and the
trips to Copenhagen and Croatia.
“I’m looking forward to seeing different sights, tasting different
foods, learning different languages. It should be the experience of
a lifetime.”
Amy Hardstaff, of Carpenders Park, is one of six Guides who is going
along with the Scouts. She is a member of the 7th Oxhey Guides.
The 16-year-old made friendship bracelets that she sold to guides,
raising £350. She also did bag-packing at a supermarket and made
cupcakes which she sold.
She also appealed to councils, businesses and other guides which
raked in a further £300.
The Parmiters pupil said: “I’m really excited because I have never
done anything like this before. It will be good to experience other
people’s cultures and see the way that they run their camps. I’m
hoping to make some new friends.”
To ensure the event goes as smoothly as possible, a team of adult
volunteers will also be travellin to Sweden.
Paul Knapp from Croxley Green will represent the International Service
Team (IST), a multinational collection of adults who volunteer to
spend their summer holiday in the engine room of the Jamboree.
There are 7,000 in total, with more than 700 coming from right across
the UK. The IST aim to make every day a little easier without being
noticed.
Mr Knapp said: “I am so pleased to finally get here, at last the
adventure can begin.”
In light of their fundraising efforts, the Hertfordshire scouts have
been entered the Citygate Young People of the Year award, which is
now in its seventh year, and offers £2,000 for winning entrants.
The YOPEY contest was created by former national newspaper journalist
Tony Gearing, to give younger generations a fairer image, and encourage
young people to give to the community.
Mr Gearing said: “Young Tom and his friends have shown how prepared
they are to knuckle down and raise money, to help themselves and
scouts from poor countries.”
Mike Aston, Hertfordshire assistant county commissioner, nominated
the group for their efforts in raising money to fund the trip.
He said: “They have been doing some amazing things to raise money,
some have had a Swedish theme evening, some abseiled a building and
others staffed a car park. I’m very proud of what they achieved.”
To nominate young people for the Herts YOPEY, which is open to young
people aged from ten to 25, and live, work or study in Herts, visit
the related link below.
Alternative send an SAE for an entry form to YOPEY, PO Box 236,
Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 1DP. Young people can nominate themselves.
Entries close on August 26.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
