WESTERN REGION - AREA 1-Contingent 7
Pre WSJ Union Bulletin Articles
JAMBOREE FOLLOW-UP-Eight Explorers at the 24th World Scout Jamboree
Jamboree Photo Page : https://www.exploring-311.com/444047034
After over a year of fundraising and preparation, eight members of Exploring Post 311 left Walla Walla to join their Unit on July 20th for their journey to attend the 24th World Scout Jamboree. The Jamboree took place at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in West Virginia, from July 21-August 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N51YsN-Wegs
Wa-Hi students that attended were Citlali Perez, Janie De Leon-Lara, Jimena España , and Alejandra Gonzalez. From College Place, Mayra Campa, Jasmyn Ramirez, and Melany and Carlos Meza attended. Each Unit of approximately thirty-five young people was divided into Patrols of 7-10 with the Patrols choosing their own names.
Our local Patrol chose the name “Bean Dip”. The other three patrols were the Alien Phoenix, the Paw Patrol, and the Tech Titans. Our local Explorers were part of contingent USA 407, comprised of girls and boys ages 14-17. These contingent members came from Scouts BSA and Venturers from the Seattle/Tacoma area, Portland, San Francisco area, Long Beach, California and our local Walla Walla/College Place Explorers.
Prior to the Jamboree, Janie De Leon-Lara had these thoughts: “I am very excited to be going to the World Scout Jamboree this summer. We leave on Saturday, July 20th, for a five hour drive to Seattle. We fly out that same night, reaching West Virginia the next day. Over the last couple of weeks before the Jamboree my family and I have been busy getting the things to take along that I am missing, such as hiking shoes. During what was called a Shakedown over Memorial Day weekend, we learned about the upcoming Jamboree. We were at Camp Pigott near Monroe, Washington, in an area that required lots of walking and hiking to get around. For the first time ever, I camped, slept in a sleeping bag, roasted marshmallows around a campfire, met new friends, and saw a tiny version of what the Jamboree will be like. I have never been more excited in my life! I've never been on an airplane or left the Northwest. I will have an experience to remember and to keep in my heart.”
By tradition, the US hosting participants showed up to the Jamboree one day before the other international participants to help set up things. USA 407 helped set up three entire camps for US Troops that came in late at night and set up several dining canopies for those international contingents coming in during the second day. It rained hard the first two days we were there and weather continued to be a factor throughout the Jamboree. Jasmyn Ramirez noted, ”The weather was kind of unpredictable. It was extremely hot and humid. If it rained, the rain lasted for hours with heavy downpour and thunder and lightning.”
On the second day, we were amongst 5,000 Americans from the United States that welcomed and helped set up camps for more than 35,000 Scouts from 169 different countries for two weeks of high adventure and cultural experiences.
In the evening on our third day, an arena show ceremony opened the event which featured introductions of each country and a concert by Recycled Percussion. One highlight that night was the opening which included the “Circle of Life” from Lion King performed by "Lebo M" Morake who was the arranger and original vocalist for the song. Bear Grylis, noted for his survival television shows, is the Chief Scout of the United Kingdom. He repelled on to the stage and gave a great opening speech. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKRJNem5jfM
There were two more arena and stage shows during the Jamboree. Jimena España noted, “The arena shows were really pretty. We got to see many acts including Pentatonix, Light Balance, Disney on Broadway, and many more. At the second arena show, the concert was opened up by a traditional mariachi band playing for Baile Folclórico dancers! Then Broadway performers sang Disney hit songs and the night was topped off with the famous hit, "Let It Go." During one of the concerts, they were throwing shirts out to the crowd and one of them ended up hitting Melany in the head and then falling into my hands. I kept the shirt. Sorry Melany !!” In fact, at the closing ceremony, the word was that someone donated a million dollars for the ending fireworks show. The show featured a 15 minute 360 degree close proximity fireworks show around the arena and a laser light show which lighted the smoke from the fireworks as it drifted across the arena. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V286WM9cIas&t=16s
Another highlight was the daytime concert by the K-Pop group “NCT Dream.” Jimena stated, “My favorite event of the entire Jamboree was when Lali, Alejandra, Melany, Carlos, Mayra and I went to the NCT Dream Concert in Camp C.” One of the most valuable parts of any Jamboree is the opportunity for participants to meet a lot of people from all over the world. That was Mayra Campa’s most memorable part of the Jamboree. “A year ago I would have never thought I could go on a trip like the World Scout Jamboree. It was one of the best experiences I've ever had. Some of my favorite activities were to walk around to nearby base camps and meet people from all over the globe, as well as trying new things such as white water rafting, paddle boarding, and zip lining. It was a trip I will never forget and I deeply miss the new friendships I made. I will admit that waiting in line for events was a little harsh, but I got the courage to talk to my fellow neighbors and I was able to make new friends while waiting in line.” Jasmyn Ramirez also found the same experience. “One of the best things I did at the jamboree was meet new people from different cultures. Meeting people from different countries was interesting. Sometimes it was difficult to communicate by word but we would eventually get by the language barrier and have a great time talking! I made so many new friends every single day even if it was outside of my comfort zone.”
One traditional part of a World Jamboree is “Cultural Day.” One day is set aside for each Troop to promote its country’s culture. Contingent members dress up in typical or traditional clothing and serve samples of food typical in their country. Contingent 407 members dressed up in their favorite sports jerseys and shirts and provided opportunities to play waffle ball baseball and soccer. To represent the west coast, we also had the opportunity to pass out and make balsawood gliders with the Boeing Company printed on them. For food we served Cracker Jacks and smoked salmon which is also a Washington delicacy. During cultural day “We went around visiting different campsites throughout the day and tried out some of their yummy food and learned about their culture. At our campsite we served smoked salmon and Cracker Jacks and built balsa wood airplanes. Then we held a competition to see whose plane could go farthest. Best day yet!” commented Jimena. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dsuk-37PRmk
Technology was everywhere. AT&T had set up the site in 2013 to have cell phone coverage and Wi-Fi (62mb) throughout the Summit. Last year, they upgraded the coverage so just about everything that used to be on paper was on an App on your phone. We had a Jamboree App, US Group App, Campsite App, Food acquisition App, plus a few others. Requiring everyone to have a phone and charging those phones was a general problem since there were limited charging stations.
For our contingent, phone charging was not a problem since we had our own solar power station. Our Contingent Quartermaster was from the Silicon Valley. Prior to the Jamboree, he assembled equipment to construct our own solar power station. He distributed the parts in the baggage of the 22 Scouts from the San Francisco Bay area and transported it all to our Jamboree campsite. Not only did we have ample charging ports for our phones, we also had 115 volt power to run a soldering iron to put things together, glue guns to glue balsawood airplanes together, and even show movies at night.
One particular App called the NOVUS game was set up so every person at the Jamboree developed a profile on the App on his or her phone. Then each person was issued a high tech watch-like wristband that connected with other people. You accumulated points as you made connections. In addition, if you met certain people or attended events you could connect at those sites and gain more points. One additional feature is that during arena shows they could be triggered to go off and on or flash several colors creating a light show of their own in the arena. At the opening ceremony, there was a synchronized lighted drone show which featured 250 drones programmed to make 3D images in the sky. Along with the lighted drones, they synchronized the lights on the NOVUS game armbands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nei5RU-bSFs
As with all events, the Jamboree had to come to an end. Our Post members who went to the Jamboree still maintain contact with those they met. In reflection, Jasmyn’s experience allowed her to “become very close with a UK troop named the Lincolnshire Aviators and the day before we parted we traded gifts. I was given playing cards with the UK flag on the back of the cards. I was also given a patch from the UK and their troop patch. They also taught me how to play card games I did not know. I am still in contact with most of the people I met at the Jamboree. I’m glad technology exists today or it would be very difficult to hear and see my friends that live all the way across the world. The people I've met have truly changed me and made me a better person. They will always be on my mind”
After a month and a half of being back from the 24th World Scout Jamboree, our Post members are back to school starting a new school year. Even so, they still carry the strong memories of their experiences. From using their Jamboree backpack to carry their books to wearing their Jamboree shirts and other mementos to school, they continue to relive those experiences they had in the mountains of West Virginia this past summer.
Special thanks to all those folks who helped make this trip possible both in financial and in-kind support. Our Explorers would especially like to thank the following organizations: National Office of the Boy Scouts of America, Rotary Club of Walla Walla, United Way of Walla Walla County, American Association of University Women, Sherwood Trust, Pacific Power Foundation, Relay for Life Committee, Exchange Club of Walla Walla, Blue Mountain Council BSA, College Place Lion’s Club, College Place Presbyterian Church, and numerous individuals that choose to remain anonymous.