Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

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
evtheria · 31/07/2023 11:27

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!

This is very interesting to know.
My DS is just a Cub, but was very excited spotting Scouts & Explorers at the airport last time... I didn't know how the WSJ worked, don't think any go from round here (granted, not a wealthy area), those kinds of costs are 🫨

UsingChangeofName · 31/07/2023 12:00

We aren't in a wealthy area.
We always have people in our County Unit who come from families that are FAR from wealthy. This is why we do the selection 2 years before, and there are lots of opportunities to do fundraising. There are also some grants you can apply for. Our County and Districts also commit to contributing a small amount per Unit member and the County also accessed some funding to heavily subsidise the youngsters from low income families. It is also made very clear that "the Unit" raises the whole amount that the Unit needs to go ~ "no man left behind" sort of teamwork.
It is a big commitment time wise, but doesn't rely on your family having the money.

However the way it works varies massively across the Country, so you would have to find out what happens in your area. Some families (I am told) prefer to put fewer hours in and just pay out more themselves. Some Units make it clear from the start that each person has to make the payments as and when they are due and it is up to each individual if they fundraise or pay for themselves or do a mix.

Original poster
lazylittlelucy · 31/07/2023 12:26

DD and many in her unit are exhausted now after 4 days walking around Seoul in the sun. Some have heat stroke and have had to rest for a day.
They're off to the Jamboree site tomorrow so at least they get a long rest in an air conditioned bus. It's a 6 hour drive.

OP posts:
handmademitlove · 31/07/2023 13:17

Ours have today in Seoul then another 5 days post jamboree. Weather not looking too bad for next week so hopefully will be manageable!

mycoffeecup · 31/07/2023 14:11

It is also made very clear that "the Unit" raises the whole amount that the Unit needs to go ~ "no man left behind" sort of teamwork

Exactly, that's the ethos in our unit too.

Original poster
lazylittlelucy · 31/07/2023 14:12

Have you all had the email from UK contingent?

OP posts:
CheersToMe · 31/07/2023 14:49

Mine is IST so technically an adult, so no.
I have an idea what it might say. Would you mind sending me a PM please?

CheersToMe · 31/07/2023 14:54

Have PM'd you @lazylittlelucy

DinnaeFashYersel · 31/07/2023 14:57

Good luck everyone. My Explorer didn't want to apply. My Scout (who will be old enough) will definitely want to try for the next one which is in Poland I think.

CheersToMe · 31/07/2023 15:00

Thank you @AnotherThingToThinkAbout FlowersWink

mycoffeecup · 31/07/2023 15:15

lazylittlelucy · 31/07/2023 14:12

Have you all had the email from UK contingent?

Yes - I assume it is flooding being sorted, presumably with some sort of pumping?

Original poster
lazylittlelucy · 31/07/2023 15:17

Have pm'd you back @CheersToMe

OP posts:
oricella · 31/07/2023 16:08

Just reading the email and was notified of an extra day in Seoul. Would not want to be in charge of those logistics right now. But a chance to rest a day is welcome..

AnotherThingToThinkAbout · 31/07/2023 16:16

How are people's Scouts feeling about the extra day?

UsingChangeofName · 31/07/2023 16:18

I haven't had a letter, as don't have a participant out there this year, but have seen some photos and a little video from a friend who is out there are IST. It does look like she has pitched camp in a bog!

The logistics amaze me, every time. From when I first had anything to do with any of the Jamborees, when they were in Essex in 2007, through Sweden, Japan, and America, it is staggering to think that they (with the exception of America) in effect build a town to home 40-50 000 people for 10 days, with all the infrastructure that entails, and then the logistics of getting all the participants in and out of the Country, let alone the actual campsite, and then the way they deal with challenges situations like weather throw out.
It is mind boggling to think that it is all done by volunteers, who pay to be there themselves, and who give up their annual leave to do this so the young people can experience what they do.

I love the stats and numbers you hear - the number of toilet rolls or the number of kilograms of rice etc etc. I remember for the Sweden Jamboree, all the UK contingent met in Denmark for the 'pre-Jamboree' as Sweden didn't have the capacity to take them, and then coaches were crossing the long bridge (can't remember it's name) every 2mins, for 24 hours, to get everyone to site. Then the Ho-Ho (home hospitality, which sadly has being phased out) was spread across different countries as Sweden didn't have the capacity to host that many Scouts.

It really is mind boggling.

WilliamFaulkner · 31/07/2023 16:26

Just heard from my YP, who is happy to get another day is Seoul as loving it there but is little bit worried they’ll miss opening ceremony etc. I’d hope they’ll wait for them all to arrive?!

The logistics of the whole thing is mind blowing. All those volunteers have my upmost respect…I’d love to be that organised!!

CheersToMe · 31/07/2023 16:32

Absolutely agree with the praise for the UK Contingent leaders and IST , all are amazing.

AnotherThingToThinkAbout · 31/07/2023 16:56

WilliamFaulkner · 31/07/2023 16:26

Just heard from my YP, who is happy to get another day is Seoul as loving it there but is little bit worried they’ll miss opening ceremony etc. I’d hope they’ll wait for them all to arrive?!

The logistics of the whole thing is mind blowing. All those volunteers have my upmost respect…I’d love to be that organised!!

I guess it depends what they have planned for the opening and whether all the elements / people can wait...

stargirl1701 · 31/07/2023 16:58

Our DC are not going but joining in online through Dream:Live on Sunday.

https://www.dreamlive.org.uk

Original poster
lazylittlelucy · 31/07/2023 16:59

I think DD and her unit are glad of an extra day in Seoul, and will hopefully benefit from extra nights sleep in a proper bed, though they may have to move hotels 😕
She tells me that (so far) only UK, US, OZ and NZ contingents are delayed to site, but that may change. I hope for everybody, they can delay the opening ceremony while they make things safer...

OP posts:
AnotherThingToThinkAbout · 31/07/2023 17:06

lazylittlelucy · 31/07/2023 16:59

I think DD and her unit are glad of an extra day in Seoul, and will hopefully benefit from extra nights sleep in a proper bed, though they may have to move hotels 😕
She tells me that (so far) only UK, US, OZ and NZ contingents are delayed to site, but that may change. I hope for everybody, they can delay the opening ceremony while they make things safer...

Interesting that other contingents feel it is OK. I wonder if it depends where on site you have been allocated. (or whether your country is geared up for organising extra nights in Seoul).

CheersToMe · 31/07/2023 17:12

Those countries contingents are probably better resourced because of the sheer numbers they are responsible for.

UK obviously have their travel planner partner to assist too.

AnotherThingToThinkAbout · 31/07/2023 17:14

CheersToMe · 31/07/2023 17:12

Those countries contingents are probably better resourced because of the sheer numbers they are responsible for.

UK obviously have their travel planner partner to assist too.

I spent a lot of my childhood in a tiny country that it is only sending one Scout and one leader to the jamboree. (they are in a shared site with other tiny countries). I really hope tiny places like that have some good support. So tricky.

CheersToMe · 31/07/2023 17:19

Let's hope so.

handmademitlove · 31/07/2023 17:32

Does anyone know if the opening ceremony is being live streamed on Wednesday? Had conflicting info!