Southern Region Jamboree Weblog

Countdown to the Centenary…..

Let’s start with the weather…..which is simply spectacular. We are certainly prepared for rain and no doubt will be tested on this before our departure, but the weather today and in the near term forecast has no rain in sight. Let’s hope that this holds true at least through the Centenary Celebration on Wednesday.

As we walked around and visited each unit that was in camp this morning, it appeared that they were well-settled into a routine of cooking and camp life. We got no complaints from any unit that was not a simple solution. All of our unit leaders are simply wonderful and are taking the best care of our youth that anyone can imagine.

The daily program continued today and all reports from our units are fabulous. The Gilwell Adventure (off-site) attended by the units in Volcano Subcamp got rave reviews, and comments for all of the on-site program elements were great as well. Of course the continuing highlight for everyone that I see is simply the interaction with the youth of the world. Everywhere you look you see boys and girls from different countries talking, playing, and just enjoying being together. I know that it’s a simplistic thing to say, but I’ll say it anyway. If we could turn the world over to these 30,000 youth for about 2 weeks there would be no more political issues and strife on our earth. After every world jamboree my hope is renewed in the possibility of a better future for all of us.

Again today the jamboree site was absolutely full of visitors today. I especially enjoy talking with the cub scout groups and giving them gifts of USA flags and patches. They are so innocent and appreciative of the attention of an old Scouter from America. I wish that I had something for each and every one of them…..I probably gave out 300 flags just today. There will be visitors again tomorrow but not on Wednesday during our Centenary Celebration.

This evening we held a reception for one-half of our unit leaders and IST members (the reception for the other half will be on Friday evening). Each received a nice medallion and the thanks of our Jamboree Contingent Leader – Jack Furst from Dallas TX. Many of the larger world organizations hold these receptions and it is great fun to see all of the adults who paid “big bucks” to be a part of this effort on behalf of our youth.

There will not be a blog tomorrow (Tuesday) evening since I will be participating in the vigil ceremony for the centenary and then attend the sunrise service with our Scouts on Wednesday morning. On Wednesday night I will try my best to give you an account of these events and share the excitement of being here as we begin the second century of Scouting.

ONE WORLD, ONE PROMISE!