International Jamborees: 1982 Report UK
1982 - 75th Anniversary of Scouting - Brownsea Island
The Adventure of a lifetime
By Scout John Waterhouse of 1st Vrijzee Troop
What an exciting experience being chosen as one of the two Scouts to represent South Africa at the 75th Anniversary of Scouting. It has been a great privilege and adventure.
The adventure began in December 1981 when I first applied to attend the camp. At first nothing seemed to happen and then I was told my application had been approved; kit lists, interviews, medical check-ups, passport applications and the like followed, so that by the time the 1st of August 1982 dawned I was at the peak of excitement.
The South African Contingent Scout uniform looks really smart, and it was with pride I boarded the plane at D F Malan Airport (Cape Town) amidst the fond farewells of my loved-ones.
The flight was long and tiring, but reaching Heathrow on Monday morning dissolved all my weariness. I was met at the airport and taken to B-P House in London. There I met Lance Michler, the other Scout chosen to represent our Country. We spent the day looking about London and meeting the other Scouts from foreign countries who were also taking part in the camp.
The next day we went down to Brownsea Island by coach and crossed to the Island by ferry. There were about 300 Scouts on the Island, all excited about the events to come.
We were divided up into three camps, Atlantic, Pacific and Baltic. I was in the Pacific camp. The camps were then divided into Patrols, there were 8 Scouts in my Patrol. The Patrol consisted of two Canadians, one South African and the rest were English. The camp was really a multi-national affair with Scouts from all over the world. In fact we became one big family, so close that when the camp finally broke up many of our members had tears in their eyes - something to be said for the Spirit of Scouting!
The camp was opened by the Chief Scout of Britain and the days that followed were fun- filled and included sailing, canoeing, grass-skiing, wide games, soccer, archery and many other activities. On one of the days all the foreign Scouts were invited to tea at Branksea Castle (as were the original 1907 Brownsea campers) and here we met two of the original Scouts who attended that first camp. They regaled us with interesting anecdotes.
All too soon the camp came to a close and we moved off to our Scout hosts in various parts of Britain. I went to Shanklin on the Isle of Wight with one of the British Scouts in my Patrol. We stayed on the Isle of Wight for 5 days visiting the local Scout Troop, sightseeing and enjoying ourselves.
After the "Home Hospitality" which was designed, I think to give us an idea of how people live in the various areas in Britain, we all visited the Scout Campsite at Ferny Crofts about 15 miles from Southampton. We spent three days here preparing our Patrol projects. The Patrol projects were on various subjects. We had to prepare a project on the changes in buildings from 1907 to 1982 in the area where we lived. We had all done some preparation before the camp and now we had to put it together. At the final presentation many interesting talks were given.
Our days were not spent working all the time while we were at Ferny Crofts; we had more time for fun and again enjoyed many Scouting activities.
From Ferny Crofts we went to Gilwell Park in the Epping Forest just outside of London. This is a beautiful Scout Camp and we spent many an hour just exploring. At the final Camp Fire we presented our Patrol projects. The Camp Fires were very well led and some of the items put on, especially those by the Spanish and Japanese Scouts, were really excellent.
We were also given the opportunity of spending a day in London as a Patrol. All too soon the final day of our Adventure dawned; it was a sad day for many of us as we had made many good friends and felt like brothers in the true sense of the word. The final Flag Down ceremony was performed at Gilwell, and after the parting handshakes we left for our stations or airports.
I was fortunate enough to spend a further two weeks in Britain with relatives so I came home later.
The Camp was a tremendous adventure and I would like to thank all those who made it possible for me to attend. I have been left with many good memories; I have made many friends and I have gained a wealth of experience. Not many of us are as privileged as I, but if the opportunity arises for some I recommend they take it. Once again, thanks to all who made this trip possible.
S A Scout Heritage