Issue 3
Official newspaper of the Essex International Jamboree
Monday, July 28, 2008
Wet and wild activities for all by Emma Parker and Sophie Williams “WE’RE telling the participants we’ll keep them dry, with a view of getting them soaking wet”. That’s the message from the water activities team at Alton Water. This activity allows a majority of the participants to try something that they have never done before, but hopeful it might kindle an interest that they can take away from Jamboree. You can hear the shouts and laughter from the shore of the reservoir. And it seems their objective is similar to those of the instructors: “the best part so far has been getting wet and splashing the instructors,” explained Jack, 10, from 1st Great Pardon Scout group. Some of the participants seemed to have difficulty staying afloat, Elliot, from Canadian Wolves Sub Camp spent more of his time in the water than on the dingy itself. “It’s getting cold in here now!” he laughed. The Dingy sailing is perfect way for people to work as a team and make the international friendships that are forming in the Sub Camps stronger. In the afternoon, 50 participants took part in the sailing activities at Brightlingsea. The idea of the sailing session is to give participants the opportunity to try sailing on the open water where there’s much more space. It’s also gives those who live inland the chance to feel the cool sea air. “It’s a fantastic experience especially for some people who have never tried the types of activities before” explained Instructor Sam. It’s clear that the participants are enjoying being out on the open water as everyone has giant grins on their faces. The 1st Shenfield
Guides were particularly enjoying themselves. “We sailed round on a dingy and saw jellyfish. All of the boats had a water fight, it was great fun” they explained excitedly. The session lasts for three hours which means each group gets the chance to relax on the boats and feel proud at the fact they have learnt something new about sailing. Jane and Poppy from 8th Leigh Guides are
among those impressed: “We’ve learnt a lot today about sailing, when the rudder falls off, you know you’ve done something wrong! It’s been good fun and we got stuck in the mud! The activities leader had to come and help us!” For everyone who took part in the water activities, it’s clear that they will look back and remember the fun that they have had and the new friendships that they have made.
Sea Scout unit celebrate 100 years of fun AMUR Tigers had more to celebrate at the Opening Ceremony than most. They have a Scout unit among their number who are celebrating their centenary this year. The Hamble Sea Scouts of T.S. Mercury, Southampton, lay claim to being not only the first Sea Scout unit in the United Kingdom, but the world. One of the Sea Scouts, Noah, 14, explained that they were set up in 1908 by Baden Powell’s older brother, Warington. There were five patrols of Scouts established on T.S. Mercury in 1908. Of course at this time they were not known as Sea Scouts, but Marine Scouts. Sea Scouts were not officially formed as a Scouting Movement until 1909. The Hamble Sea Scouts were fully registered on July 10, 1910 and are a special unit. There are around 350 Sea Scout groups in the UK but only 100 of these are recognised by the Royal Navy. Being recognised by the Royal Navy allows the Hamble Sea Scouts to fly a Defaced Red Ensign. This is a flag
with a red background and a white cross with the Union Flag in the top left corner. The defacing means that there is another symbol on the flag, in this case the Scout Emblem. The celebrations in the Amur Tiger Sub Camp were started with the whole Sub Camp learning the dance routine for the Jamboree song, like other Sub Camps, as part of the Opening Ceremony warm up. This was followed by the Sea Scouts marching up to the gateway of the Sub Camp. They were then gathered into the middle of the crowd and surprised with a birthday cake on behalf of the Sub Camp. The whole Sub Camp joined in an enthusiastic rendition of Happy Birthday. Elliot, Skipper of the unit said he was very proud to be a part of the oldest Sea Scout group in the UK. Hayden, 12 and Paige, 11 said it was “cool” and “scary” to be presented with the cake by the whole Sub Camp. The celebrations ended with the Sea Scouts leading the way for the Amur Tigers to the next celebration… the Opening Ceremony.
Corrina Howie and Paige Bessa from Hamble Sea Scouts