Page 12 | Anyone got a Scout or Explorer going to WSJ in South Korea?

lazylittlelucy · 2023-07-16T15:57:23+00:00

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?

Original poster

lazylittlelucy · 05/08/2023 16:06

Agreed @MrKenTuckey the whole premise of the WSJ is the opportunity to meet and make friends with scouts from other countries. Even for the 5 days they were there, despite the gruelling conditions, that was the highlight for them.

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RedToothBrush · 05/08/2023 16:07

Germany and Sweden also say that they are staying

swanling · 05/08/2023 16:25

missingthewinchesterboys · 05/08/2023 16:02

The whole point of a jamboree is to mix with all the scouts of the world. The meet new scouts from different cultures, make swaps and friends. Mixing with only English contingents is not the point at all. It's so sad

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Of course and that's really disappointing.

But let's keep it in perspective with all the hand wringing about "how awful" it is that they're sharing air conditioned hotel rooms without showers on demand - when they were expecting to be roughing it in tents.

It's disappointing, it's not what they were expecting, it's not perfect circumstances, but they do have accommodation of a higher standard than where they were just pulled from, so let's not make out like sharing hotel rooms is some terrible deprivation.

I am sure a programme will be pulled together once the whole contingent has been relocated. Other world camps have had successful urban elements, so there is still potential for an international scouting experience and a great time - even if not what they originally imagined it would be.

Keep it in perspective and focus on what matters, rather than hotel reviews.

Badgerstmary · 05/08/2023 16:39

swanling they are not exactly sharing hotel rooms. They are on the floor in a conference room.

swanling · 05/08/2023 16:44

Badgerstmary · 05/08/2023 16:39

swanling they are not exactly sharing hotel rooms. They are on the floor in a conference room.

And that's worse than camping how?

Badgerstmary · 05/08/2023 16:50

Camp beds in tents would be far comfier & preferable for the majority of Scouts than a hard floor in an air conditioned room with only a silk liner.

AnotherThingToThinkAbout · 05/08/2023 17:10

Badgerstmary · 05/08/2023 16:50

Camp beds in tents would be far comfier & preferable for the majority of Scouts than a hard floor in an air conditioned room with only a silk liner.

Most will have inflatable sleeping mats? I know they were on the kit list.

Really disappointing for them but even if uncomfortable still safer than the conditions at the site.

AnotherThingToThinkAbout · 05/08/2023 17:14

My mistake, they were optional (our nephew borrowed ours). But hopefully they all have something or can share.

It would be nice if they could have more rooms soon, of course.

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

Badgerstmary · 05/08/2023 18:05

I do agree at least they are safe. It is a huge undertaking moving thousands of young people. It is just not helped by the media stating they are all being moved to hotels & implying that they are now living in luxurious conditions.

AnotherThingToThinkAbout · 05/08/2023 18:08

Badgerstmary · 05/08/2023 18:05

I do agree at least they are safe. It is a huge undertaking moving thousands of young people. It is just not helped by the media stating they are all being moved to hotels & implying that they are now living in luxurious conditions.

I agree there is some real cruelty in the media (and especially on social media) including, sadly, from some Scout families from other countries. Best ignored if you can manage it.

User5653218 · 05/08/2023 18:30

Rock and a hard place for the decision makers. Pull them out first and you're being a wimp, giving them an easy option, spoiling all the fun. Leave it too late and there's nowhere left for them to go to, someone gets seriously sick.
And now the big UK and US contingent have left the pressure on the site has eased a bit and their decision will be questioned all over again.

Fwiw I think the right decision was made to withdraw quickly in a calm way and find sensible alternatives.

UsingChangeofName · 05/08/2023 19:25

swanling · 05/08/2023 16:25

Of course and that's really disappointing.

But let's keep it in perspective with all the hand wringing about "how awful" it is that they're sharing air conditioned hotel rooms without showers on demand - when they were expecting to be roughing it in tents.

It's disappointing, it's not what they were expecting, it's not perfect circumstances, but they do have accommodation of a higher standard than where they were just pulled from, so let's not make out like sharing hotel rooms is some terrible deprivation.

I am sure a programme will be pulled together once the whole contingent has been relocated. Other world camps have had successful urban elements, so there is still potential for an international scouting experience and a great time - even if not what they originally imagined it would be.

Keep it in perspective and focus on what matters, rather than hotel reviews.

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Well said.

Willmafrockfit · 05/08/2023 20:18

agree @swanling

BookShop · 05/08/2023 22:44

My DD is now in a hotel in Seoul. It’s been hard for everyone involved but I’m glad they have made the choice for their safety. It cannot have been an easy one.

Original poster

lazylittlelucy · 05/08/2023 22:50

DD's unit is supposed to be leaving at 10 (it's now 6.45) but she said some didn't leave until 4 hours after their allotted time yesterday. Shocking stuff...

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Original poster

lazylittlelucy · 05/08/2023 22:57

On the plus side, she says she's ok. Just looking forward to some air con. But the unit members are getting irritable. Completely understandable.

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entitledparents · 06/08/2023 00:28

I know two kids there. Both have scouting parents. Both are gutted to have left but safe & well. I can only imagine that the toilets aren't coping with volumes, lack of shelter and poor food options made leaders think we can't do this for another week

entitledparents · 06/08/2023 00:38

I've done festivals in awful conditions but what I can choose to suffer for three days as an adult is different from what I'd decide if I'm charge of a big group of other peoples DC in SK

elliemac209 · 06/08/2023 04:45

I've just spoken to DS who is on the bus back to Seoul. He is disappointed but looking forward to a shower. They are lucky enough to be going back to the really nice hotel they were in before so he knows he will get decent food and facilities.

He says his leaders are really positive and will ensure they have a good time in Seoul. Most tellingly though he says he wants to go again as IST in 4yrs and has had a great time.

My personal opinion is that a large part of the decision to move has been based on IST who seem to have been having a terrible experience but have done an amazing job making sure the young people have as smooth an experience as possible. That's not a criticism at all. They deserve safe working conditions and I'm very very grateful to them for everything.

handmademitlove · 06/08/2023 07:17

DS ( unit 74) says they spent last night in a hotel in Seoul with a few other units (he mentioned 73, 61 and 85?) Some had rooms and the others slept in the conference room - like sleeping in the scout huts on training but with Aircon 🤣 They are all out and about today - he is happy, fed and cared for. And having a good time and an amazing, albeit different time. We are grateful for this.

handmademitlove · 06/08/2023 07:18

He also said that the Swiss unit on their subcamp have been running their activities for them so they still get used, which is very much in the spirit of scouting!

oricella · 06/08/2023 08:25

Our unit is back in Seoul too. I have been wondering whether the typhoon played a part in decision making too.. warnings are now coming out for most of South Korea later this week, but it has shown as a possibility on weather trackers for a long time.
I would not be surprised if that triggers a change in plan for the remainder of the event. Having the UK contingent already away will make a difference to others if it comes to that. The thought of that site in even a moderate storm and rainfall has been giving me nightmares from the start and I really hope other contingents won't take risks.
Also, if Khanun hits the south east you would not want resources tied up in the Jamboree support.

CheersToMe · 06/08/2023 09:25

Typhoon Khanun - wouldn't that just be the cherry on the cake!

DS back in Seoul now with IST.

Twyford · 06/08/2023 09:41

User5653218 · 05/08/2023 18:30

Rock and a hard place for the decision makers. Pull them out first and you're being a wimp, giving them an easy option, spoiling all the fun. Leave it too late and there's nowhere left for them to go to, someone gets seriously sick.
And now the big UK and US contingent have left the pressure on the site has eased a bit and their decision will be questioned all over again.

Fwiw I think the right decision was made to withdraw quickly in a calm way and find sensible alternatives.

I don't see how they could possibly have stayed given the issues around unsafe food and in adequate toilets.

RedToothBrush · 06/08/2023 10:39

oricella · 06/08/2023 08:25

Our unit is back in Seoul too. I have been wondering whether the typhoon played a part in decision making too.. warnings are now coming out for most of South Korea later this week, but it has shown as a possibility on weather trackers for a long time.
I would not be surprised if that triggers a change in plan for the remainder of the event. Having the UK contingent already away will make a difference to others if it comes to that. The thought of that site in even a moderate storm and rainfall has been giving me nightmares from the start and I really hope other contingents won't take risks.
Also, if Khanun hits the south east you would not want resources tied up in the Jamboree support.

Definitely to do with the forecast too I suspect.

The British contingent as the largest, will take the longest to get off site - UK scouting seeing that weather incoming on Friday will be thinking about that.

If there is heavy rain I find it pretty implausible that the site will cope with it given the situation already.

It's no longer typhoon strength and has been downgraded to a tropical storm and probably will lose more steam but will still be very windy and very wet.

I think the UK were being prepared for that: tent + tropical storm + reclaimed land below sea level are not a combination that I would want to gamble with.

I can well see the South Korean determination to go against world scouting and continue the event despite the request to end it early being questioned again in a few days time if that forecast doesn't get substantially better.