My 25th World Scout Jamboree Experience
By Jake Kester
In August 2021, I made a decision that would ultimately lead to me writing this article today: I applied for the 25th World Scout Jamboree. A couple of months later following a multi-stage selection process, I received a congratulatory email from the UK Contingent inviting me to represent my country, not just as a Scout but as a Jewish Scout and a proud member of the 11th Edgware Scout Troop. “Happy” was an understatement! “Elated” only begins to describe my emotions upon hearing this news. It felt like an opportunity, yet equally, a responsibility.
Two years later, I found myself standing in Heathrow Airport sporting the brand-new UK contingent uniform and an 11th Edgware scarf worn proudly round my neck. Two years of commitment (including fundraisers, activities, and training camps) had led to this moment. I waved my father goodbye as I began this adventure. 19 hours of flight time later, I took and savoured my first steps in South Korea. The first thing I realised was, despite the training and constant reminders, we weren’t ready for how blisteringly hot it was – at first it was funny but as you probably heard on the news, the comedy quickly wore off. But I tried my best to not let it bother me as after all this was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I was adamant I was not going to waste it.
After a few action-packed days in the capital city Seoul, it was time to relocate down south to Sae Mangum – AKA the jamboree site. Little did we know what was to come. No one knew the extent of the issues on the site yet, and that was somewhat exciting. Despite the images of a flooded site, stories of missing tents and ill-prepared facilities, we were ready to get going – I can’t recall one single person who wasn’t buzzing to climb out of that incredible Korean air conditioning into the 45 degrees heat and do what Scouts do best… build tents. Lots and lots of tents – I’d be lying if I said I built any less than 30 tents that afternoon or dug any less than 50 metres worth of trench to drain the flooding. We had sweat down our backs and dirt over our faces, but you just couldn’t cover our smiles.
The days to come were interesting to say the least. Our first two days on site were packed with trading badges and scarves, exploring and concerts – everything the jamboree had promised us. I had the privilege of spending much of my time with the Israeli Scouting Contingent who only had a mere 80 Scouts participating in comparison to the 4000 from the UK. For me personally, the meet and greet aspect of the jamboree was the most rewarding experience of the trip. The privilege to be able to walk up to any person wearing a Scout scarf and know you share something in common despite any political or religious conflict outside the jamboree – for me that was the most incredible part of the Jamboree.
And then the news arrived. All UK scouts were to be evacuated from the Jamboree site with immediate effect. Hearing my leaders pass this onto us, words can’t begin to describe that feeling. Distraught and in denial, I was determined to make the absolute best time out of my remaining day on site. I spoke to every person I could see, traded as many badges as I could hold and visited as many scouts of the 158 countries as my legs would allow. 15 hours later, we had arrived back in Seoul bringing our Jamboree to an end. “Draw your dream” was the motto given to the 25th World Scout Jamboree, and we were going to do just that. The next 10 days I spent in Seoul were undoubtedly some of the best of my life. I toured the city as much as my time would allow, tasted the best Korean food I could find and experienced everything the city had to offer.
The last night was sombre. As I described it then “I could easily stay here for another 3 weeks or go home today, and I would be happy either way”. And that was the case for most people. We departed South Korea on the 15th August and following a wildcard day in Thailand (due to a 12-hour layover), my last hours of that trip were spent asleep over the Atlantic Ocean. We touched down 7am, 16th August back at Heathrow Airport. The 11th Edgware scarf successfully made it to South Korea and back. I made my way through baggage and border control to be met with a large group of people cheering and celebrating upon our arrival. Loudest and proudest of all was my dad. The events of the World Scout Jamboree made global headlines 3 days running. At the time, I felt as though I had missed out on what was promised to be the best trip of my life; only recently I realised that although I didn’t receive the trip I bargained for – I can proudly say I represented my country, my community, and my Scout group in a unique and incredible World Scout Jamboree.
