World Jamborees: 2015 Report
2015 – 22nd World Jamboree, Kirara-hama, Yamaguchi, Japan
27 July - 8 August / Participants 33 838 / Countries 152 / South Africans 178
The Theme was 'A Spirit of Unity'
"It was awesome...!" There are no words possible to actually describe a true Jamboree experience, thus only brief hard facts are recorded here, with Gallery telling the story. The theme was 'A Spirit of Unity', attended by 33 838 Scouts from 152 countries. South Africa sent 142 Scouts and 36 Adults in 4 'tree' Troops Acacia, Baobab, Marula and Tamboti, with Adult Support and an IST (International Service Team of 12).
Departure was Mon 20 July from all over SA to rendezvous at a 'shakedown camp' Gilwell at Florida Lake in Gauteng - for final preparations and team building, before actual departure to Japan.
On Wed 22 July, the entire contingent, ready and full of excitement left SA for Japan to arrive at Tokyo Narita Airport on Thurs 23 July.
The following 3 days Thurs 23 to Sat 25 July would be spent in a hotel and touring Tokyo, visiting restaurants, a full day at Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Tower, the Imperial Palace, Asakusa Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Arcade, before coaching to Lake Ashi campsite for sightseeing around Hakone and Mount Fuji. Most tours were in the company of an English speaking guide and meals on the go by means of bento box (pre-packed meal ready to eat). There was much seen and learnt while on the go across Japan, just some of the key highlights are mentioned here.
Sun 26 July saw camp pack up, then transfer to Odawara Station by coach to take the amazing Bullet Train (travel speed 250km/h) from Tokyo for 520km's to Kyoto. Here the contingent stayed two nights for sightseeing around Kyoto, visiting the Kinkakuji Temple 'The Golden Pavilion', Ninenzaka (for souvenir shopping), the Fusahimi Inari Shrine, Pontocho and Gion (old Kyoto streets) with restaurant stops.
Tue 28 July dawned with a hotel check-out in Kyoto and walk to Kyoto Station to board another Bullet Train to Shin-Yamaguchi. There our contingent was coached with thousands of others to the 23WSJ Site, Kirara-hama, Yamaguchi, for a lifetime jamboree adventure.
The theme embraced three concepts being;
- Energy from Scouts around the world and involvement in many fields;
- Innovation from jamboree experiences, cultures, traditions and different ways of thinking;
- Harmony of Scouts living together in a culture of peace.
Cultural Exchange Day was when countries interacted with traditional foods being served. SA made a hit with their Rooibos Tea and Ouma Rusks.
Many activities were on offer, some highlights being; a Peace Program off site at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park including the museum; the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Japan with a peace memorial at Hiroshima; Global Awareness of environment; Exploring Nature; Cross Culture Awareness; Science and Technology of which Japan is the fore-runner in this field; Community Service off site in a bid to reach out to others; Water Activities on a wide range of activities.
There's also no guessing as to which country had their flag flying the highest at the Jamboree, a beacon from anywhere on site at just under 50m.
Johann Visser, aka 'Guppie' of 1st Durbanville was chosen to represent South Africa on 2 Aug to have lunch with the Crown Prince of Japan with about 70 other Scouts from different countries.
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SA Contingent
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Adults
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Acacia
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Marula
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Baobab
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