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Original poster

Anyone got a Scout or Explorer going to WSJ in South Korea?

630 replies

lazylittlelucy · 16/07/2023 16:57

Just thought I'd start a thread for parents if there are any on here.
My 17yo DD is going as an Explorer and is getting excited now.
Anyone else?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
33
karmaisavibe · 16/07/2023 17:01

My nieces are both going. They've worked really hard fundraising and we're very proud of them!

mycoffeecup · 16/07/2023 17:03

Yes! Getting close now

Original poster
lazylittlelucy · 16/07/2023 17:07

Cool.
Yes, the fundraising was hard but they managed it.
And when they get there it will all be worth the hard work. I'm so excited for them🤗

OP posts:
Badgerstmary · 16/07/2023 17:13

Yes, my ds is 14 & he’s going too.

Original poster
lazylittlelucy · 16/07/2023 18:05

Surprisingly low numbers here on MN as there are 3000 going from UK incl adults and young people. Is there another section where this is being discussed?

OP posts:
GU24Mum · 16/07/2023 18:13

My son applied but didn't get a place. Sounds like a great trip though.

PeasInOurTime · 16/07/2023 19:17

DD (16) is going. I wondered if a thread might pop up on here at some stage 😊

DS applied but was not selected. Disappointing but also a relief as not sure we could have paid/fundraiser for 2!!

Original poster
lazylittlelucy · 16/07/2023 21:02

Yes, fundraising for 2 would certainly be a challenge.
DD was fortunate enough to be in Yr 12 this year so had a p/t job that didn't interfere too much with her exams. For those doing GCSEs or A-levels it would have been much harder...

OP posts:
Ifailed · 16/07/2023 21:12

Surprisingly low numbers here on MN as there are 3000 going from UK incl adults and young people

There are 17 million people under 25 in the UK, so less than 0.02% are going. what do you expect?

oricella · 23/07/2023 11:22

DD leaving tomorrow.. I think we have all been a little in denial, but packing is in full swing now.

clarrylove · 23/07/2023 11:32

Yup, DS off on Tuesday. But concerned about the weather over there but I'm sure they will have a great time!

missingthewinchesterboys · 23/07/2023 11:57

Yep they fly Tuesday morning first thing so we say goodbye Monday night!

missingthewinchesterboys · 25/07/2023 21:48

12mins until mine lands in Seoul!

underneaththeash · 25/07/2023 22:16

dS1 would have loved to have gone, but even though he has been in scouting for 12years, helps with cubs and I run a section, the first thing we knew about it was when the assistant leaders son asked us for sponsorship! DS had no idea who he was…
I would never have allowed my child that much preference over everyone else.

missingthewinchesterboys · 25/07/2023 22:38

The selection is done by the leaders taking the contingent unit not the leaders of each group.

The kids apply and then go through a selection process, normally a weekend camp but because of Covid it was a selection day this time.
Each of the 4 unit leaders then gives a yes, no, maybe vote on each applicant and the 36 kids are picked from the ones with the most yes's. Each county will have had at least 1 unit of 36 kids to select.
Our county had over 200 kids apply for the 36 places.
Kids have to be 14-18 at the time of the jamboree so can apply while they are a scout as long as the will be 14 during the event itself.

The selected unit will be made up of kids from across the county who then spend the next 2 years bonding and training for the event. They also need to raise £4K each to pay for it.

The unit leaders will have gone through a similar selection process to be chosen as well and also have to pay their £4K.

It's wrong that the selection events and application wasn't well advertised so your child missed out on applying but the 'leaders child' wasn't selected because of who's child they are!

missingthewinchesterboys · 25/07/2023 22:41

Also if you run a section are you not getting info from county/ district / HQ on upcoming event etc.

There is a moot in Sweden 2024 if your son looks he can apply for that

mycoffeecup · 26/07/2023 09:25

missingthewinchesterboys · 25/07/2023 22:38

The selection is done by the leaders taking the contingent unit not the leaders of each group.

The kids apply and then go through a selection process, normally a weekend camp but because of Covid it was a selection day this time.
Each of the 4 unit leaders then gives a yes, no, maybe vote on each applicant and the 36 kids are picked from the ones with the most yes's. Each county will have had at least 1 unit of 36 kids to select.
Our county had over 200 kids apply for the 36 places.
Kids have to be 14-18 at the time of the jamboree so can apply while they are a scout as long as the will be 14 during the event itself.

The selected unit will be made up of kids from across the county who then spend the next 2 years bonding and training for the event. They also need to raise £4K each to pay for it.

The unit leaders will have gone through a similar selection process to be chosen as well and also have to pay their £4K.

It's wrong that the selection events and application wasn't well advertised so your child missed out on applying but the 'leaders child' wasn't selected because of who's child they are!

Exactly. My daughter is going. The leader's son wasn't selected.

CheersToMe · 26/07/2023 13:32

Here you all are!
DS arrived in Seoul this morning (late afternoon there) with his IST crew.
It's his second jamboree, he was lucky to go to USA 4 years ago as a participant.

Hope your DC have had good journeys so far?

Gateappreciation · 26/07/2023 13:36

I have a sibling who is going as a leader. Slightly envious. Remember going to jamborees as a guide and venture scout. Happy memories.

PuttingDownRoots · 26/07/2023 13:43

Two of our Young Leaders are going... brothers and I didn't envy the parents the fundraising!

Hope they all have a good time.

(Re leaders kids getting extra opportunities.. the only time our kids get extra stuff is when they need to accompany us when we are "working". This can be fun stuff like extra camps... but more often its stuff like clearing out old equipment or serving cups of tea for several hours at the village fair. Its definitely not going to help them get selected for County stuff)

CheersToMe · 26/07/2023 15:17

That was us last time, and they were in different units too, so two lots of camps, activities, paperwork, fundraising events, airport drop offs and pick ups, shopping for kit etc. DC3 also applied but was unlucky so went on another trip at the same time.

The week before was utter packing chaos!

oricella · 26/07/2023 15:50

Interesting to read more on the selection process: I felt making it through the process alone was an achievement.
DD hopefully tucked up in a comfy bed just now.. we looked at the instructions of pitching tents on top of plastic pallets the other day, and comfort on site will be in short supply. I just hope they're not going to be flooded out; reclaimed land in an ex-wetland wouldn't be my first preference for hosting such a crowd.

CheersToMe · 26/07/2023 16:02

I've not been involved this time, the site sounds rather alarming! But they will hopefully muck in and have a great time regardless.

missingthewinchesterboys · 26/07/2023 17:36

I get a bit defensive when people suggest leaders kids get preferential treatment.
My girls work 4x harder than any other scout. Every camp they are there before everyone else and after everyone else, putting up tents in the garden or hanging them up after wet camps. Sorting badges out, cleaning up past finished etc etc.
During our district selection no surnames were used at all either.

There were 3 other units on their flights out and they realised they got to the airport way too early!
We've had a FaceTime this morning and they've been to the rainbow bridge.
Not really experienced any Korean food yet though as they hunted down a Burger King 🫣

WotNoUserName · 26/07/2023 17:48

I'm a Scout leader and I don't think my sons got preferential treatment. I think they'd agree after many years having to stay behind and help with clearing up!

None of them wanted to do the jamborees so never applied.

2 Scouts (now move on to Explorers) from my troop are going. I'm very proud that they made it through the selection process, and very excited for the amazing experience they are going to have, can't wait to have them back next term to tell the Scouts about their adventures.