143 South African Scouts and Adult Leaders are set to attend the 24th World Scout Jamboree (WSJ) in the United States of America. The WSJ is one of the most diverse events for young people in the world and takes place from the 22nd of July to the 2nd of August 2019. Over 40 000 youth from 133 countries across 6 continents will be coming together to “Unlock a New World”.
For 11 days, Scouts aged between 14 and 17 years old will live in tented camps at one of the world’s most sustainable campsites, the 10,000-acre Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. This year’s theme is “Unlock a New World” and participants will be invited to unlock new adventures, new cultures, and new friendships. They will get the opportunity to learn more about others, whilst taking adventurous activities and discussing global challenges.
Nowhere else can young people do so much in one place!
The activities include:
Sustainability:
Sustainability is an important pillar of the event. At the interactive Global Development Village (GDV) Scouts will be encouraged to think practically about sustainability and about their own roles as youth in creating a better world.
Adventure:
- The Big Zip – Riders can reach speeds of up to 50 MPH as they soar over the Summit on one of the longest zip line courses in North America!
- The Ropes, The Rocks, and The Canopy – Climbing, rappelling, and more at the largest and most extensive man-made climbing, challenge course, and canopy tour venue in the world.
- Low Gear – Mountain biking on 36 miles of forested trails.
- The Trax – BMX biking and at one of the world’s largest facilities.
- The Park – Skateboarding, including introductory, transition, street, and bowls, as well as a training area with mini ramps, banks, quarter pipes, and a foam pit for practicing aerial tricks.
- The Pools and the lakes – Water sports at The Pools (think: scuba diving) and Goodrich and Tridave lakes, including water obstacle courses, kayak touring, and stand-up paddle-boarding.
- And more…
Sharing cultures:
In addition to meeting new people and exchanging stories and experiences, a World Point hub will be open where Scout Associations from around the World can highlight their culture and demonstrate the uniqueness of their countries. Scouts will be able to explore the different cultures and how what makes us different can actually draw us together. The SA contingent will be hosting an SA exhibit.
It is the 24th time that this event is being held. The first one was held in 1920 in London. The WSJ takes place every four years in a difference country. Many Scouts consider attending a jamboree as the highlight of their Scouting journey. This year it is jointly hosted by Scouts Canada, Asociación de Scouts de México, and the Boy Scouts of America.
A new feature this year is the introduction of country-specific global ambassadors. These youths will allow us all to see this event through the eyes of the participating young people. Western Cape Scout Mia Ehlers and Gauteng Scout Megan Evans will be giving us the inside scoop by sharing videos, stories and images on a regular basis to the SCOUTS SA and SA WSJ Contingent social media pages. Facebook @SAScout; Instagram @ScoutsSA and @24wsjssa.
As this is a journey of a lifetime, the Scout African Scouts and adult volunteers will be leaving on the 14th of July and take in some of the sites such as Washington DC and New York City before joining their peers from around the world.
For more information and interviews contact: SCOUTS South Africa PR Manager Natasha Kayle on 073 127 93 56 or natasha.kayle@scouts.org.za.