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

[lazylittlelucy]

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?

Ahhh this is so exciting! I was Heathrow and then catching an inward flight from Dublin and there were hundreds of Scouts at the airports. I was curious to know where they were going - seemed so exciting!

This is their Youtube channel - my sister sent it to all of us!

https://www.youtube.com/@user-jj4tr8sy3n/streams

Guess if it is streamed it will be here?

dd who lives in s korea, seems to have heard that some are in hospital due to the heat.

My son (21) is an IST out there and conditions are a bit tough on site at the moment - but the WOSM team are now in place getting things sorted out. Sunburn seems to be a real issue as there is currently a lack of shade so please make sure if you have contact with your Scouts/Guides to remind them to cover up and use suncream and drink water like they are getting paid to do it!

At the risk of sounding stupid what is the WOSM team and what do they do?

DD's unit are having a briefing from the leaders shortly, hopefully with an update on when they can travel to the site.

Looks like they are moving to camp from tomorrow. DD's unit is leaving first thing in the morning. Not sure if that's the whole UK Contingent, or if they are moving in stages.
Hope the site is nearly ready for them and at least they won't miss opening ceremony 😄

WOSM = World Organisation of the Scout Movement

In other news, Bear Grylls has arrived in S Korea.

Let's hope the site issues have been mostly resolved now 🤞

Ds says they are moving hotels for this evening but no news about tomorrow yet ...

One of the issues I heard about was a fallen tree that was blocking the entrance. That alone would have caused a huge logistical challenge with so many buses arriving, not to mention other damage caused by the storm.
Anyway, looks like things are on the up and up and theywon't miss the opening ceremony 👍

Yeah - Bear may appear for the photo shoot opportunity at the Jambo opening and then poof he will be gone!
The WOSM is the big wigs of the Scouting movement globally.
Son has been told UK Contingents will start leaving their hotels around 5am their time tomorrow possibly a 5 hour journey depending on traffic. Food Halls should be open too so ISTs won't be starving any more 🤞

OMG have those IST volunteers had to go without food? That is awful 😢... after giving up their time, at their own expense in such a challenging situation and climate. That is shocking 😱

No food? I heard there was no tea but have seen photos of people eating, but massive queues outside the mess tent 😳

DD's unit just up now and leaving at 9am local time. Should be at site early afternoon. Hope it's mostly ready for them..

Just seen that DD’s unit are on their way to the site 🥳

Only just found this thread - my DS14 is out there - he and his contingent seem to be having the amazing time they hoped for judging from the pictures and info that the leaders are kindly posting .

We had 3k to raise as our district kindly gave a grant of £1k to each of their 6 participants.

My son did babysitting, quiz night, boot fair , bag pack , Carol singing , car washing , sponsored overnight hike that also benefitted cancer research, dog sitting, etc etc - very proud of him - in our area they did a selection weekend camp - lots applied so I think he is incredibly lucky to have been selected . They also had 7 pre camps as a unit which he loved - he didn't know anyone in his contingent and has made lots of good friends before even leaving to attend the jamboree.

It sounds an amazing country to visit - I'm sure it will stay with him forever

They've arrived on site, no report to say what it's like, other than "hot". They can only work for 15 mins, then rest in the shade with water 💧

Unit 74 have arrived on site, following a late night change of hotels - not sure how much sleep they have had so far! The two leaders without their kit have also been reunited with their bags just in time to go to jamboree site which is great news ...

DD just left Seoul.. seems they spent most of the day waiting in the hotel lobby. Hope there's still light when pitching camp.. maybe slightly easier than in the heat of the day

ITV has a reporter on site www.itv.com/news/2023-08-01/floods-cause-delays-at-world-scout-jamboree

Fingers crossed they arrive in time for the opening ceremony

Link for opening ceremony

Pretty sure there are bagpipes on board.. hopefully not being played!

Opening Ceremony