World Jamborees: 1991 Report
1991 - 18th World Jamboree, at Mount Sorak, Korea
8 – 16 August / Participants 20 000 / Countries 135 / South Africans 84
Report by Nigel Forshaw - GS 2nd. Bergvliet Sea Scouts and TS Pongola Troop at the Jamboree.
In August 1991, the 17th World Jamboree was held at Mount Sorak in Korea. Eighty four South African Scouts and Scouters gathered at Gilwell, Florida for the shakedown camp. Here, the Scouts got to know each other checked kit and uniforms and attended to other administrative requirements.
Before the start of the Jamboree the South African contingent toured Thailand and Korea. In Thailand the Scouts were totally amazed at all the temples, the inexpensive prices and the friend-liness of the people. In Korea, goods were very expensive and it was obvious that Korea was a rich country.
The Jamboree site was set at the foot of beautiful mountains. The first task on arrival was to pitch tents, set up kitchens, build gateways and flagpoles. The Jamboree was opened by the Korean Prime Minister at an impressive ceremony in an arena that seated over 19 000 Scouts. The highlight of the opening ceremony for the South African Scouts was, perhaps, the fantastic fireworks display.
It was tremendous to see the return of Hungary, Poland and Czechoslovakia at this Jamboree. They had not attended one since World War 11. There were also Scouts from USSR, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Yugoslavia. One hundred and twenty eight nations were represented.
South African Scouts were quick in learning to swap or 'trade' badges, getting to know other people and visiting bases. Some of the base activities were an Obstacle Course or 'Challenge Valley', Silk screening, Motor Bike Riding, Rock Climbing, Hiking, Swimming, Hot-air Ballooning, Micro-light Flying, Korean Wrestling, Amateur Radio and Scuba Diving.
All countries had the opportunity to put on displays typical of their country. The South Africans put on the traditional Gumboot Dance. They also invited many nations to a Koeksuster Party where the many guests were treated to this culinary delight.
Unfortunately all good things come to an end and the time for the closing of the Jamboree arrived. The Scout Flame was passed on to the Scouts from the Netherlands which is the venue for the 18th World Jamboree in 1995. The Jamboree was closed by the King of Sweden.
The South African Contingent then toured Hong Kong for a few days where many pockets were emptied in exchange for cameras, videos, hi-fi sets, etc. On 20 August 1991 a most memorable tour ended when the Contingent arrived back in Johannesburg. 1991 - 18th World Jamboree, at Mount Sorak, Korea
Report by Ewan Olds - His memories written 17 years later in 2008.
From the magazine The Red Scarf: 50 Years of 1st Hillcrest Scouting
As a boy of 11, I had the opportunity to witness the homecoming of seven participants of the 1988 Australian Jamboree contingent. A debriefing session was held where the boys shared their experience with the rest of the Troop. A few minutes in and it was clear as day they'd just returned from what was truly a highlight in their Scouting careers, an adventure I was green with envy over and one that I would strive to be a part of in years to come.
Three years later I found myself blessed with the opportunity to be fundraising like mad with tremendous support from my family, fellow Scouts, the Hillcrest Scout Group and greater Hillcrest community in an effort to raise sufficient funds to send three representatives from Hillcrest to the 17th World Scout Jamboree in Seoul, Korea.
Realising the dream as the three of us from 1st Hillcrest Scout Group, Craig Victor, Sean Kiely and I, made our way to Johannesburg for the Shakedown Camp to meet up with the rest of the South African Contingent.
The trip to the Jamboree: Bangkok for four days, Cha Am beach resort for two nights, Seoul for three nights before heading off on a five-hour coach trip out to the Jamboree site in Soraksan National Park situated in the eastern province of Kangwon well away from the booming metropolis of Seoul and instead into the serene and majestic mountains that inspired the name "Land of the Morning Calm".
The Jamboree theme "Many Lands, One World", for me, really hit home and encapsulated the Scouting Spirit that exists worldwide. A very apt Jamboree theme as 20 000 of us from 135 countries stood side by side on one giant parade ground to witness and share in the opening ceremony. Scouting has no boundaries - has no limits, sees no colour and speaks one tongue. The opening ceremony for me was the highlight of the whole Jamboree as I stood there in awe of the enormity of the gathering. The spirit felt and camaraderie experienced was just incredible.
Daybreak and the start of eight days of fun filled activity, long days and very short nights - too much to jam in! With Badge and souvenir swopping, the vehicle for meeting and getting to know and understand fellow Scouts from all comers of the globe, not to mention the array of activities laid on. The Jamboree site was divided into 17 Sub-Camps of approx. 40 troops in each. With activities aplenty to fill your days, and all the while sharing and engaging with foreign Scouts. Time away from activities was spent visiting other Sub-Camps, learning foreign cultures, eating foreign meals, learning other Scouting skills and ways, not to mention seeing different Scout uniforms - something I didn't expect to differ so much country to country.
AII-in-all an unforgettable experience and one I can recommend to every Scout.
Report by the Contingent Leader Richard Stuart
On the 26th of July 1991, 74 Scouts and 10 Scouters assembled at Gilwell, Florida for the Shakedown Camp prior to departing to the 17th World Jamboree.
This shakedown was no different to any prior shakedown camp - a hive of activity and last minute catastrophes.
Transvaal Area were most kind to host a farewell braai on the Saturday night in what I am sure turned out to be the coldest night of the year.
We were up bright and early on the Sunday. The buses arrived early as scheduled and we set off for Jan Smuts(Johannesburg).
The Pre Jamboree tour
And so to Bangkok. Fascinating, exciting, a venue enjoyed tremendously by all. Then on to Cha-Am for 2 days relaxation in luxury. Back to Bangkok for one night. Our stay in Thailand was most memorable, I believe that much credit for this must go to our tour guides who were most helpful and could not do enough to please. Next morning, 4th August we were off to Seoul.
After a 10 hour day we arrived in Seoul. Travel weary and exhausted. (We had spent something like 3 hours in the Hong Kong transit lounge). Armed with what we believed were the necessary documents we set off for the passport control. "Hi South African, where's your visa?" We produced letters from the Korean Embassy in Namibia stating we did not require visas. We had letters, which we could not read, but we believed substantiated this fact. "Ha" says the customs official, "you need a visa", so I was ushered off to an office and told to sit down, because this was going to take some time. One hour later and some many dollars lighter we were once again on our way - in style.
We were given a police escort from the airport to our hotel. The Contingent was well received by all. Photographs of the Contingent appeared on the front pages of 2 local newspapers.
Seoul - an experience never to be forgotten. Different. In Bangkok breakfast was a feast - buffet self service - eat as much as you like. In Seoul you could have as much as you liked as long as it was not more than was served up on your plate. A kosher breakfast, much to the dismay of the recipient was a plate of shredded lettuce and some cold chips.
On the morning of the 4th of August we departed Seoul by bus for the Jamboree. This was it. The some 19 000 Scouts and Scouters who had gathered together for the Jamboree all had to arrive via Seoul, and now the bus loads of participants had to be moved to Mount Sorak National Park 210 km distance away from Seoul.
What slick organisation. This convoy, of who knows how many buses, set off from Seoul. This journey which we were warned could take 10 hours, actually took 6. A pleasant journey through scenic country side, and the whole 210 km was lined with Jamboree flags and banners.
The Jamboree
The organisation of the Jamboree was good. The opening and closing ceremonies were, to say the least, spectacular. They were in fact 'extravaganzas'. The fireworks displays, the performers, the sound effects and lighting were breath-taking.
The on-site activity bases were well supported and the 'Challenge Valley' (commando course) proved most popular.
The safety at some bases was cause for concern initially eg. Scuba diving and motor boats in same area - these concerns were conveyed to the organisers, who unfortunately took it as criticism - but after meetings with the organisers, a safety committee was established and experts were co-opted from the Contingents to assist and advise the base leaders.
The food was different and the combinations of courses hard to understand, but the food was sufficient and could be prepared to suit individual Contingent's tastes.
The receptions given by the individual Contingents were varied and a new 'standard' evolved. Caterers from the local holiday resort were called in by many Contingents to provide the catering for their receptions and the result was sumptuous feasts. It made those Contingents who provided traditional home fare on a budget look pathetic in comparison. Some Contingents who provided traditional fare were sponsored by businesses who flew in crates of 'goodies' for the occasion. Our koeksister party and Gumboot Dance was well received but turned out very amateurish when compared with the others, who in some instances had 'professional' entertainers performing traditional dances.
Mom, it's not serious
Participants on the whole were very well behaved and a tremendous spirit of friendship prevailed throughout the camp. 'Trading' became very professional and in the process lost some of the flavour enjoyed at previous Jamborees.
An interesting observation was that 40 of the participants were of the 'opposite sex' and some Contingents as high as 80% girls.
The South African Contingent was definitely one of the smartest on parade and the Scout Hat with the springbok skin a highly prized and well guarded item of uniform.
Overall I would say that the Organisers spared no cost in presenting the Jamboree and congratulations must go to them for a most enjoyable Scouting experience.
Gifts were presented to the Camp Chief, Boy Scouts of Korea and relevant sub camp chiefs.
Homeward Bound
On the morning of the 16th of August we started on our home leg. We departed from the Jamboree at 06.00 in the morning to beat the expected congestion and arrived in Hong Kong at 21.30 that evening. It was about midnight by the time we settled in our hotel. A long day.
Hong Kong - Words fail in trying to describe Hong Kong. The venue was enjoyed by all. The shopping unbelievable. A highlight of the tour.
The Contingent arrived back at Jan Smuts (Johannesburg) on the morning of the 20th of August. Those initial 89 pieces of luggage had grown to something like 125 pieces. Most of us were overweight with our luggage and it was quite a juggle to get the weight balanced out so that we did not have to pay for excess baggage.
Jamboree uniform
The South African Contingent to the 1991 Jamboree wore a hatband and woggle made of Springbok skin and the following badges on their uniform.
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| Above right breast pocket | Right breast pocket | Left breast pocket |