Jamboree News October 2014

E N L G 2 T I N U S W E N E E R O B JAM TOBER 2014 ISSUE 1 - OC

FIND OUT HOW TO GET YOUR HANDS ON A UNIT BADGE!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: • OUR JAMBOREE JOURNEY SO FAR • UPDATES ON ALL THE UNIT EVENTS • VISIT FROM JAPENESE SCOUTS @GLNE_wsj2015

We’re more than a Unit, we’re a Family!

Hello again Greater London North East!

Our last update focused on all the hard work contingent members and their supporters have been putting into raising money towards Japan. Whilst fundraising is a huge part our prep for the Jamboree, another major part is activities, gatherings and camps which help the young people forge strong friendships, gain confidence, independence and an understanding of important differences between life in Japan and the UK. By the time we embark on our adventure of a lifetime (in just over 10 months!) we will be more than just a Jamboree Unit, we will be one big ‘Dysfunctional Family’, heading off to the biggest family reunion in the world!  Let the Training Begin!: March

Our training camp in March brought the Unit together for the first time and saw people from different Districts get to know each other whilst playing games and learning Japanese maths and other skills from the visiting Japan Education Society.

Initial patrols were formed with groups of 9 having to plan their dinner, buy the ingredients within a budget and cook it all on an open fire! Everyone enjoyed themselves and went away buzzing about the adventure ahead. Here’s some of the things they had to say about the weekend: Sami Arouche

Victoria Green

Gabriel Adshead

Andrew Kirby

(Ilford East)

(Hornchurch)

(Ilford North West)

(Chingford)

(Sami) “I had a great time doing all the activities” (Victoria) “I loved getting to know everyone better!”

(Gabriel) “The thing I enjoyed most was getting to choose and buy our own food” (Andrew) “This camp has made me more enthusiastic about going to Japan” (All) “We want to do more stuff as a Unit now!”

Yo! Sushi & Monopoly run: July Our next Unit gathering was a visit to ‘Yo! Sushi’ in London to learn more about Japanese cuisine, sample a selection of tasty treats and even make some Sushi of our own! As if that wasn’t enough we then spent the rest of the day running round the city in teams doing all sorts of things as part of our own Monopoly Run. Matthew Bird (Waltham Forest South) says:

“It summed up the Jamboree in a day of teamwork, learning and culture!”

Top Golf: July Almost 2 weeks later and the Unit’s back together, this time at Top Golf in Chigwell. This was a very informal event giving us the chance to socialise, bond and chat about what we’ve done so far and what we would like to do next.

Bowling with Japanese Scouts: July Barely 4 days later and we were at The City Pavilion in Romford ready to go bowling with a group of Japanese Scouts visiting the UK. It was great to see the two groups mixing, laughing and learning more about each other, the Japanese leaders Sagi and Satoshi both said afterwards how much their Scouts had enjoyed meeting us and hope to see us again in Japan.

‘Scouts Speak Up’ Training Weekend: July Each Unit has 3 members who undergo media training to become Young Spokespeople. In July we gathered at Gilwell Park along with almost 100 others for a ‘Scouts Speak Up’ training course. All three of our young spokespeople were a credit to the Unit throughout the weekend and learned a lot about how to talk to the press, give radio interviews, TV appearances and most effectively spread the positive message of Scouting and the Jamboree experience.

William Tully

Jack Franklin

Sasha Levene

(Hornchurch) Interviewer

(Waltham Forest South) Interviewee

(Epping Forest South) Interviewee

William: “I’m here at Gilwell Park with Sasha and Jack from Unit 2 – The Dysfunctional Family to find out more about some of the training they’ve received. So Jack, what’ve you learned so far?”

Jack: “We’ve learnt about the ABC Rule which is Acknowledge, Bridge & Control. Basically when a negative point is raised in an interview it teaches us to recognise it and turn it into something positive, keeping the conversation going in the direction we choose.”

William: “Sounds very useful thank you. Sasha, how’s it been to work with lots of new people?”

Sasha: “It’s been surprisingly easy as we’re all here for the same reason so get along great!”

William: “That’s good to hear, thanks both of you for your time” 

Embassy of Japan Visit & Kew Gardens: August At the start of August we were very lucky to have the opportunity to travel into London and visit the Embassy of Japan. After passing through security we were shown inside and given an interesting presentation all about Japan, Yamaguchi and Kirarahama where the Jamboree will take place. The Japanese Ambassador was also kind enough to meet with us and give a short speech about his role and the warm welcome we can expect in Japan.

And if that wasn’t enough the Mayor of Hikari City was also in London with some Japanese students from Yamaguchi who we got to see! We presented the Ambassador and the Mayor with a framed set of our Unit Badges as a thank you for their time, they were both very impressed with them and our young people.

Hollie Edwards (Waltham Forest South) says:

“It was cool to meet some students from Japan and learn more about them. It was also nice to relax and explore Kew Gardens afterwards.”

Back for Round 2!: August The end of August saw us return to Thriftwood for our second Training weekend! This time the unit members were given much more independence, being told on arrival that by 2pm all tents and kitchens needed to be set up, food purchased and wood collected … a big ask but everyone pulled together in their patrols, prioritising tasks and splitting up jobs between them.

It’s a major milestone to have the Unit working so well together already and looking out for each other. Throughout the weekend we enjoyed various activities including Raft Building on the lake, Jacob’s Ladder, Rifle Shooting, Assault Course and the site Campfire. This was another very successful weekend which highlighted both new and strengthening friendships between those from different districts.

Jake Wiltshire (Romford) says:

“I‘ve had an amazing time trying new things and new foods like green tea KitKats, most of all thanks for boosting my confidence by encouraging me to stand up and sing some songs at the campfire. Can't wait till November camp!”

Easyfundraising has now raised over £628 for the Unit, thanks to all of you who continue to use it!  The Write Stuff: September Congratulations to Zoe for the publication of her book Herbert Minestalker. This week Zoe was interviewed by Scouting HQ about her achievement and how it will help pave her way to Japan! To read the full interview head to scouts.org.uk/news/2014/09/blog-the-write-stuff Zoe Rogers (Waltham Forest South) says:

Photo courtesy of Scouts.org.uk/news

“I met Bear Grylls at Gilwell Reunion this year and gave him a copy of the book. He said well done and what an amazing achievement it was to have produced a book. He signed a copy too! It was an amazing moment.”

Herbert Minestalker by Zoe & Peter Rogers is available on Amazon in print and as a Kindle ebook.

Get your GLNE Unit Badges TODAY! Our colourful and highly sought after Unit Badges are now available for purchase on Ebay under

World Scout Jamboree 2015 - Unit 2 (GLNE) Fundraising Badges Individual badges are available for £2.50 each or get your hands on the complete set of 5 for just £10! (all orders have an additional £1 postage)

Badges are also available from any Unit Member or Unit Leader as cloth badges and a metal pin badge if you wish to get them in person.

Upcoming Events!

If you wish to advertise your Jamboree event in this Newsletter please send info to Ted Rose (Editor) scoutingglne@gmail.com or Alex Peatfield alex.peatfield@gmail.com

Our Jamboree Journey so far…

We pitched four questions to some of our Unit members and they gave us their thoughts: 1) What has been your favourite Unit event so far and why?

2) How have events so far helped you get to know the others?

3) What is the single, most positive thing you have gained from our journey so far?

4) How have you found talking to others (in & out of Scouting) about the Jamboree?

Matthew Bird (Waltham Forest South) says: 1) “The Monopoly Run/Yo! Sushi day in London was my favourite event, it summed up the Jamboree in one day of teamwork, learning and culture!”

2) “The events have really allowed us to get to know each other, it’s not easy with 36 of us but we are slowly becoming one big Dysfunctional Family! ” 3) “I’ve gained a lot of respect for Japanese culture and people. I’ve also become more adventurous with meeting new people and new experiences.”

4) “I’ve enjoyed talking about the Jamboree as everyone’s interested, it’s a great conversation starter especially with older scouts who’ve been to past Jamborees!”

Nathan Wapling (Romford) says: 1) “My favourite event was when we went to Yo! Sushi because I found it interesting how real Sushi was made and that it’s more than just raw fish and seaweed” 2) “We’ve been in lots of different groups on the events which has helped me talk to lots of different people in the Unit and get to know them better.”

3) “I’ve gained new friends and am more confident than I was before.”

4) “I’ve found talking to others about the Jamboree really fun and easy.”

Peter Leverington-Gee (Chingford) says: 1) “My favourite Unit event was the Monopoly Run because we were given the freedom to go round London together” 2) “I’ve got to create great friendships with the other members and leaders too.”

3) “The most positive thing for me is that I feel at home with my Unit, even more so than with my family (but don’t tell them that!) ” 4) “I’ve found most people are very supportive of this trip and interested in all of it!”

Blake Rayment (Romford) says: 1) “My favourite event has to be bowling with the Japanese Scouts!”

2) “I’ve only managed to attend one event, but just from that I’ve managed to make several good friends I didn’t have before!”

3) “How to work well in a team, especially during fundraising is my biggest positive.”

4) “Most people I’ve spoken to know what a Jamboree is, if not I can tell them.”