Planet Essex Issue 7 - Friday 2nd August 2008

Issue 7

Official newspaper of the Essex International Jamboree

Friday, August 1, 2008

A whole world of opportunities As the Jamboree draws to a close, reporter Sarah Paget talks to a Scout group that has forged long-lasting friendships with several troops from abroad and looks at some of the international events coming up in the next few years WALKING around the Jamboree site, the international aspect of Scouting and Guiding is extremely apparent.

Scores of national flags decorate the site, conversations are taking place in many languages, and friendships are forged as people swap badges from everywhere from Canada to Zambia.

However, some groups such as one from Essex are also renewing old acquaintances, by bringing their extended contacts here to Jamboree.

The 1st Newport Essex Scouts first met German troop VCP Höstel in 2000 and the following year were invited by them to Germany. Their links has been strengthened by many shared experiences over the years including camping in the vicar’s garden and finding a huge Union flag flying from the village flagpole in Germany!

Scout Leader Clive Bunting’s daughter works in Romania, so the group searched the internet for a Romanian group which was looking for British links.

This search found the Ramnicu Valcea, and they went with them to Brasov last year to see in Scouting’s Centenary Sunrise.

The final link in this international chain is to be found this year on Elephant Sub Camp, where the Essex Scouts have brought together both the Romanian and German troops and are camping together as one unit.

Commenting on the Romanian Scouting Sunrise, Lucy, 13 said “It was special, it felt like family”. Whilst Hope, 11 was surprised on their trip to Romania when she took her Scout Promise, “It was cool. I didn’t know So if you are interested, it could be easier than you think, here are some facts to get you going: 1) Leaders are supported by an international adviser for divisions, counties, and regions for Guides and

by International Commissioners for Scouts.

2) Essential information can be found online at scoutbase.org.uk or girlguiding. org.uk or by contacting Scout or Guide Headquarters directly.

3) Scouting has various partnerships

I was being invested”.

But the Jamboree will be over soon and the tents will be gone. Scouting and Guiding are with travel companies who will help put everything in place, so that everything is prepared for that first trip which can be the most daunting.

4) If you don’t want to plan a trip alone, team up with another group or even your region/district.

5) Most importantly have fun, explore and meet lots of new people.

6) And don’t forget to take advantage of the fact that you are camping in a huge group of international groups at the moment. So get out there!

not just about weekly meetings or going to International Camps in the UK. There’s a whole world out there, which your group can explore. Whether you do this by continuing to foster links with a group you’ve met this week or more formally via an International camp and home hospitality, there are many ways to get involved.

Over the next year, Scouts and Guides can get involved in Rover Way 2009 in Italy, the 26th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree 2009. There are also International Camps Network Russia Scout Fellowship, and the Annual Winter Expedition for Explorer Scouts and Network to Losevo, Russia. Whilst Guides have other opportunities to look forward to, such as Eurolife, which will be held over New Year 2009/2010 in Sweden, Germany, Greece or another European destination – you choose!

Of course, you don’t have to go to the official events. Scouting and Guiding are

about meeting new people and making links.

Why not try Kandersteg International Scout Campsite or “Our Chalet,” you never know whom you could meet.

If you have contact details for groups overseas build on them and arrange a visit, like the 1st Newport. Or even take part in some of the international programmes such as GOLD (Guiding Overseas Linked with Development) or the Explorer Belt for Scouts.

There are many benefits to taking your group abroad.

Not only do they get to expand their horizons and experience new cultures but: “you can meet thousands and thousands of people from countries you’ve never heard of,” said Richard Neville of the International Team at Gilwell Park.

Su Hassall, International Commissioner for Girlguiding UK, said it creates: “life experiences, team work, sharing, language skills, perseverance, and tolerance”.

Today’s weather Sunny intervals Minimum temp: 21C Maximum temp: 16C UV index: 4 Sun rises: 5.16am Sun sets: 8.45pm

Birthdays and anniversaries Birthdays: Gill Bath, Canadian Wolf, Happy Birthday from all the Guides; Steven Burrage, Game Reserve, It’s a Knock-out Team, Happy 19th Birthday from all the family on site and the 2nd South Church Scout Group; Graham Carslake on the Incident Hike Staff, Happy 60th Birthday, have a good one. From all of the team.

1st Yeldhall Guides want to wish Alice Everitts a Happy Birthday. The Stiff and Stilted Team are celebrating 18 years working together; Happy Birthday Luke from 9th Whitley Bay; Happy 19th Birthday to Emma Hubbard of the International (Culture) Team, from all your International girlies, have a fab birthday and keep smiling; Happy 11th Birthday to Aleks from 23rd Enfield Scouts and Bush Hill Park Explorers; Amy Bowman have a great 13th Birthday from 6th Springfield and 18th Chelmsford Guides.

Anniversaries: A year on, and we’re still going strong. I love you James – Sarah xxx; Congratulations to James Stack and Amy Ely. They met at Essex 2004. Happy Anniversary; Happy 27th Wedding Anniversary to Ingela and Lars from Sara, Nils and Varings; Happy wedding anniversary to Liz and Nigel from all of the staff onsite.

Behind the headlines of the media team

by Kirstie Wright Everyday you have read Planet Essex, heard Jungle Radio and seen photographers out and about, but the question is, how do they actually work day to day?

Before the Jamboree even began, the Theming team were busy ordering all the signs you see around site and setting up the gateways. Now on site they are your early morning paper delivery boys, so say hello to them if you see them.

Each morning starts bright and early with Jungle Radio broadcasting live from 8am but presenters are usually in well before this.

Martin Steers, Head of the station, explained: “All of the radio team prepare for around an hour before each show and then debrief for an hour after too.”

The radio team are here the longest as the last show finishes at 11pm but they continue on the internet all through the night.

Everybody likes to wake up in the morning and read the day’s paper, which is what Planet

Your pledges to the planet AS part of the Global Explorer Award you are asked to make a pledge for the planet, a small promise of something that you can do to help improve the world. Here are just some of the pledges made by Scouts and Guides: Olivia, 12, 1st Widdington Guides, said: “I pledge to turn off my TV when I’m not using it and turn off my computer more often.”

Sarah, 12 and Rachel, 11, 18th Edmonton Scouts said: “I pledge to eat more vegetables than meat and look after the world and if I can’t walk somewhere I’ll get the bus.”

Elizabeth, 14, 1st Widdington Guides, said: “I pledge to recycle more and to help the environment; I also pledge to encourage all my friends to do the same.”

Emma, 14, 1st Widdington Guides, said: “I pledge to recycle all our rubbish and turn off unused lights.”

Matthew, 12, 9th Deal Ash Scouts, said: “I pledge to cut my carbon dioxide emissions by turning off lights and using the economy settings on the dishwasher and washing machine.”

Alex, 12, 1st Stoke Row Scouts, said: “I pledge to walk to school or cycle.”

Abby, 13, 1st Easington Guides, said: “I pledge to recycle as much as possible to turn the lights off when I leave a room and to turn the tap off when I brush my teeth.”

Matthew, 14, 1st Blendon Scouts, said: “When I did the Global Explorer Award I found my eco-footprint was 2.8 planets, so I pledge to reduce it to 2.5 planets.”

Jessica, 13 and Ruby, 14, 3rd Great Baddow Guides, said: “I pledge to walk instead of using the car a lot more, carry on recycling and try to use less water and also try to use less electricity.”

Ella, 11, 18th Edmonton Scouts, said: “I pledge to always be polite to leaders and fellow scouts and to behave well at camps.”

Essex is there for. A team of nine work all day covering all the major stories during the Jamboree. Usually working a day ahead, the team often end up really confused when you ask them what day it is!

Getting the right information for all our coverage cannot be done without communication with the rest of the site.

For this a new team has been developed, known to all as Internal Communications. They are the ones you usually see rushing around on their bikes.

Not only does the department spread the word, as we show what is going on through video and photography.

Since the start of the Jamboree more than 4,000 photographs have been taken by the team.

Travelling around the site they capture absolutely everything to help remind us all what an amazing Jamboree this has been.

Some have even got really exciting jobs, such as taking shots of the site from an aeroplane.

The video team can also be found out and about recording Jamboree highlights that can be used for the post-event DVD, which is a long job for the team of six, but they have fun while out around site.

So far they have shot about 15 hours of raw footage with much more left to be covered and then edited into a final project.

A more personal approach has been used by the Youth Media team to help people remember their Jamboree.

Over the week more than 100 Scouts and Guides have come in to tell their story to

everyone at home via the internet and Jungle Radio. The team keep the centre open from 9am until 9pm daily.

The final aspect of the Media Centre is our relationship with outside media organisations.

So far the Jamboree has produced articles on television, radio and online as well as delivering a high number of media articles for local newspapers.

In all of these articles it is vital the team focus on telling the story of the young people at Jamboree as it is them who are considered the best ambassadors for the organisations.

Keeping the site safe is a 24-hour job for security team AFTER the sun sets on the Jamboree site, members of the Security team are still at work, making sure everyone is safe and things on site are running smoothly.

“We have 55 to 60 members of staff in our Security team here at the Jamboree. There are three sections – gate, medical and site, plus additional support from volunteers” Joe Bird explained.

As the security team gather together for a group photo, wearing their purple T-shirts, you feel a friendly atmosphere, where everyone knows each other and feels part of a team, all of them giving the camera a wave.

The tower that stands above them lets the team have a complete overview of the site

and allows emergency services to get a visual picture of the area.

During the busiest days like Open Day and Arrival Day, the tower was used for traffic management and to check whether the roadway for coaches was clear so that everything ran efficiently.

The Security team finish having their photographs taken, and are given a short talk with their team leader, who tells them how proud he is of the team and that he is very happy with their performance at this year’s Jamboree.

It’s clear that they’ve all enjoyed themselves and some will probably return for the next Jamboree here in Essex.

What is the strangest thing you have seen at the Jamboree so far?

WE have been out and about asking scouts and guides what has been the strangest thing they have seen this week.

Alison, 14, Islington Guides, Pygmy Hippo, said: “The strangest thing I’ve seen here is probably all the lads dressed as lasses in bikinis!”

John, 16, Norway, Elephant, said: “The strangest thing I have seen on the whole camp, I have to say, is the Elephant gateway over at the Sub Camp. There is a really stupid looking elephant over there!”

Victoria, 12, 1st Dedham Guides, Komodo Dragon, said: “There was a man on stilts with a big blonde mohican so we got our picture taken with him!”

Rhyss Noble, 14, Brentwood District Scouts, Elephant, said: “The strangest thing I’ve seen is probably the scarecrow in the security tower. Everyone thinks it is a person, but on closer inspection it’s actually not, but some people don’t know about it.”

Zarajane, 12, 1st Elsenham Guides, Lemur, said: “We saw three grown men with their faces painted as clowns and wearing really big shoes.”

Tobias, 11, St. Albans District, Humboldt Penguin, said: “The strangest thing I’ve seen is the man doing the It’s a Knockout presentation, he was really funny!”

Marti, 14, Catalonia, Amur Tiger, said: “When we left site there were cars that were driving on the other side of the road!”

Charlotte, 13, 1st Hook Scouts, Lemur, said: “The strangest thing I have seen is the Komodo Dragon gateway, when you press the door bell its mouth opens up.”

Richard, 11, 7th Lichfield Scouts, Humboldt Penguin, said: “A Scout got tied up and pegged down with a bungee chord and tent pegs then he got pegged loads with clothes pegs.”

Jenna, 13, 5th Hadleigh Scout Group, Amur Tiger, said: “When we went to Colchester zoo there was an Orangutan pulling faces and punching the window.”

More to Site Services than just toilets and rubbish

by Kirstie Wright HOW does a Jamboree run smoothly?

The answer is thanks to Site Services, a team who work thanklessly to make your Jamboree an amazing experience.

Dedicated to making you remember the Jamboree for all the right reasons, the team of 80 work extremely hard everyday from 6am.

It may seem like hard, dirty work to most people but as Neil Warren, Head of Dry Waste explained, “It’s a whole team thing, not just the job. We all have great fun as a team.”

To keep spirits up they have organised a scavenger hunt to find an object for every letter of the alphabet.

Probably one of the most infamous subteams within Site Services is the bog-squad, who probably have one of the nastiest but most important jobs.

With the rest of the team they travel around in one of around 20 vehicles, some of which are for specific purposes such as the tankers used by the Foul Waste team.

Not only do the team clean up after all 10,000 of us on site but they also make sure we recycle a lot more rubbish.

So far the scheme has been extremely successful with three containers full of recycling taken off site already, compared to the two for just general rubbish.

So keep your hard work up as each time we use a recycling container instead of a general waste container we save £500.

Providing power to the rest of the Jamboree is another of the challenges the team have to try and achieve, as is communication.

On a site this big being able to get in touch with people is vital, and a team of five people are responsible for this during the event.

Setting up everything from the 106 radios,18 pay phones and all the internet connections needed for the whole site involved laying down 3.6km of cable.

However, due to technological advances since 2004, the team have gone green by using wireless connections meaning less cable has been used than in the past.

Showcase takes audience on a trip around the world EXCITEMENT, colour, energy and talent were all on display during the International Showcase which closed the Open Day with a bang.

Seven countries took to the stage and immediately wowed the growing crowd in the Market Square.

Kicking off the show was the UK and an act called Jamboree Rock, the group of eight scouts from 1st Chillwell Depot.

Their extremely colourful outfits stood out with the song getting everyone into a party mood.

Following was an act from Catalonia, who showed us their traditional outfit and dance they regularly perform in their home town.

Canada’s act was the most complex of all; it had seven different segments to show the differing aspects of Canadian life.

This included showing that British Columbia speaks both French and English, hockey is their favourite sport and they finally ended showing their t-shirts which spelt out CANADA EY? Scotland showed off their traditional dress, the kilt, as they performed an energetic dance which put one member, Caitlin, through a raft of differing emotions: “It was scary but really great fun. It was just so good.”

During the show almost every continent of the world was represented including Africa.

Ghana took to the stage and stunned the crowd with their beautifully-coloured outfits and dance which was even copied by some people in the audience.

Humour was how the Boy Scouts of America, from New Jersey, got their message across.

Doing a campfire sketch, the boys immediately got a reaction from the crowd with

their wacky actions and quirks.

Speaking after his performance as a firefighter, Dustin, 11, of Red Panda Sub Camp, said it was: “fun to prove that America can do great things and be funny at the same time.”

If the crowd had not been amazed already then the last act must have blown them away.

India was last up and everyone was immediately excited about their act because of to the highly colourful costume and catchy music.

Not long after, the crowd joined in with the two girls. They stunned everyone with their energetic dance routine about calling upon the gods and then thanking them for the rains.

Many left the Arena at the end of the performance still dancing.

Mini Jam youngsters enjoy a day at the zoo

by Jacob Weller, aged 9 WHILE everyone was getting ready for the Open Day Visitors, the Mini Jammers on site were off on their travels with a day visit to Colchester Zoo. We arrived at about 10.30am and first we went to see the big and hairy Orangutan in his enclosure. He was leaning on an upside down banana box looking at us.

It was getting near lunchtime and we were supposed to be going to the sea lions and penguins but my brother Henry had gone off with another group so we sat down and had a snack.

Eventually we found him and carried on towards the penguins and sea lions and looked at some of the adoption boards including the one that had been adopted by the Sub Camp back at site.

When we got there we found lots of different types of fish and when we had all seen the penguins we next visited the elephants, giraffes and zebras.

They were all together in a enclosure although the elephants were gated up and so was the giraffe because she had just had a baby two months ago.

The baby giraffe was born in May which is the same month as my birthday.

Next we went to see the Pygmy Hippos but they where in cages so we looked at the 10,000 termites all working. They were scurrying around their homes.

Before we left we managed to see the Spider Monkeys swinging then we had a little peek at Sasha the white tiger who was lazing around before we looked at our final animal; the lions.

From the Youth Media team...

Articles written by young people on site My time at the Jamboree has been great it is awesome there is so much stuff to do!

Like: shopping, bikng, quads, It’s a Knockout, sailing, canoeing and lots more its been wicked, so I’ve got to come back in four years. yea

Nathan Gypps

PS Komodo Dragons rule!!

Just the other day, I decided to check out a wet thing. But it wasn’t just ANY wet thing. IT WAS ONE OF THE WETTEST THINGS EVER! You started off by running through 2 paddling pools and then slide on your stomach down a massive slide.

And if that wasn’t wet enough for you, then you will be pleased to know that it has buckets of water and water pistols!

I went down it several times, but on my fifth go I ended up injuring myself and was taken to the first aid bit!

BUT, that didn’t put me off coming back for more and in the end I think I went on it about 25 times!

Angus Easener

Who has been in the dairy room before? It is really funny as it is like the Big Brother diary room.

You get to talk to the person and you can watch everyone inside via a camera link.

I love it when they ask you to dance and do the dance. I saw about 8 people go in at once.

Either if you like to watch people make fun of themselves or go in yourself, it is a great time in both ways. I saw the people sing YMCA and also the song Rockstar.

Rhyss Noble

Elephant Sub Camp Of all the talent shows I have seen, Hippos got Talent had one of the largest varieties of acts.

My personal favourite was the re-enactment of “Stomp” by the Chelmsford and District Explorers (but I was in it so am slightly biased) but seriously, some of the acts were amazing.

They ranged from things such as Indian dancing to two boys passing a ball to each other with the latter being booed from the stage and from a majorette to pantomimes and from my

stomp band (the one and only!) to beatboxing.

The whole thing was great fun and seemed to really bring the Sub Camp units together. I know I really enjoyed it a lot!

Sam Hall Today Kevin partook in the Incident Challenge, which allowed him to explore the Jamboree site while having fun taking part in a series of small activities which included all manner of things.

He also took part in the activities in the International Plaza. These really opened his eyes to the problems that currently face the world, particularly when he visited the Islamic Relief Tent.

He was shown how refugees are forced to live in some of the toughest areas on the Earth and how Aid workers organise the camps for them.

Although the activities have only been running for 24 hours, Kevin has said that he feels like he has been here for ages already; with the morning’s activities feeling as though they were on a completely separate day.

Competition fierce as Sub Camp teams battle it out

Helicopter causes a stir at Open Day Jamboree participants and day visitors rushed to the middle of the site on Wednesday afternoon as an Essex Police helicopter landed.

The helicopter, piloted by Captain Steve Price, circled several times before landing.

The area, kept clear by security and site services, was surrounded by people who had seen and heard the £3.5million aircraft coming in to land.

Even those out on the Activities Field gathered at the fencing to witness the scene.

“The size of the site and the cars glinting in the sunshine,” particularly caught the captain’s eye from the air: “It looked very organised,” he explained, impressed by the formation of the International Plaza and the Market Square.

The landing bought a happy response from the many children who were lucky enough to witness it touch down: “It was really cool!” said Connor, 11, from Red Panda Sub Camp.

The Police were kind enough to allow visitors and participants to have a look inside the helicopter and let people sit inside to be photographed.

The landing was something different for us and our guests to enjoy and provided the Police with an opportunity to get involved in the Jamboree.

RED Panda Sub Camp emerged victorious in the Race for Extinction on Wednesday afternoon.

In the boiling heat, 12 teams assembled with contraptions they had previously built in time spans ranging from two hours to three days.

There were two Red Pandas, several Humboldt Penguins, a Canadian Wolf, and a lone Kangaroo.

However, the award for style and construction was won by a very pink and rather large Pygmy Hippo, which was soon sprayed by some nonalcoholic champagne in celebration.

1st Wivenhoe Scouts took their time as they waddled Penguin fashion to the starting line while others were there in a second, ready and raring to go.

The first race was particularly eventful, with the huge Canadian Wolf from Black Notley first over the line, followed quickly by the Turtle.

The Penguins from Wivenhoe made slow progress before crashing into the crowd – they couldn’t see! Their leader reasoned: “We don’t mind being slow, we don’t ever want to be extinct!”

The Activities Staff were represented by a Bumble Bee, obviously showing how busy they’ve been! Nineteen-year olds Amy and Chris from Worcester West Explorers raced on their behalf, but were beaten by some speedy competition in the second of two heats.

The final was between the Red Pandas, a

Youngsters vow to continue eco project SCOUTS from Germany have pledged to return to an environmental activity after their efforts to clear a site were thwarted by the weather.

In partnership with the Wildlife Trust, Jamboree participants have been working on several ecological projects throughout the week.

At Abbots Hall Farm, 43 Scouts from Germany, set out to clear brambles from the public pathways.

On arrival they received a briefing which would enable them to work safely, but just as they picked up their tools to start work, a torrential thunderstorm hit.

Although the Scouts, who are staying on Elephant Sub Camp, wanted to carry on regardless, the decision was made for them to stop.

“It’s a pity, we wanted to do the work that is needed but they wouldn’t let us do any more,” said Joerg, 17.

The participants were taken into the site office where Wildlife Trust staff organised hot drinks and towels for the soaking Scouts.

As they were drying off, it was clear that they were keeping their spirits up and were disappointed they had to stop.

The German Scouts will be continuing their Jamboree experience by staying at Thriftwood Scout Campsite for a week, learning more about English culture.

“The weather was not as we expected, but today has been an experience we won’t forget, we learnt a lot about English weather,” Joerg smiled.

The Scouts are hopeful of returning to the site during their stay at Thriftwood.

Aardvarks compete for recycling glory

Turtle, a sliding Humboldt Penguin, the Canadian Wolf and the mighty Pygmy Hippo.

As the siren wailed both Red Pandas charged into the lead, and as they headed for the ribbon it was neck and neck.

As they raced over the finishing line the Red Panda team from 9th Worcester Scouts clinched it by centimetres in their Chinese Dragon-inspired Red Panda.

Racers Bradley, 13, and Dobbo, 14, were proud to win for their Sub Camp, shouting “Red Panda rules!” into a cheering crowd.

Making recycling competitive might not be a bad lesson for politicians to think about if Aardvark Sub Camp is anything to go by.

The Groups staying on the Sub Camp have been issued a challenge and the competition is only adding to the spirit there.

The challenge is simple, all participants have to do is recycle their rubbish, and create a plan to improve the recycling system for the Sub Camp.

While they are recycling daily, something that is required here at the Jamboree anyway, the effort they are putting in is noted by the Sub Camp team.

Sarah said: “We want everyone to become active in recycling. We hope they will continue when they get home.”

The Sub Camp team felt it was important to ensure that recycling was taking place within their boundaries and felt that adding a competition element would make it more fun.

The Group that has put in the most effort, and made the best suggestion for change, will be awarded a trophy and certificate to reward the efforts the Scouts and Guides have put in, as well as the leaders.

Got a problem? Ask the Help Bath EVERYONE knows that leaders are the font of all knowledge and Denton District Scouts are proving the case time after time on Canadian Wolf Sub Camp as they run their Help Bath.

A signed bath was the location for a man who knows all; he could answer any question that was thrown at him.

Every person who wants a question answered sits in the bath and their friend would sit with John, who is the mastermind.

After asking the question, John needs just 30 seconds to respond and write the answer on a piece of paper.

The person in the bath would then reply, with the friend having to answer truthfully. He currently has a 100% record and people were still being amazed.

The fun won’t last forever though as the bath was due to be raffled off today. All the money raised is going to the Canadian Wolf at Colchester Zoo.

The Planet Essex team: Katherine Broomfield; Antony Weller; Justin Mullender; Abi Bousfield; Sarah Chandler; Kirstie Wright; Caroline Hill; Sarah Paget; Sophie Williams; Emma Parker; Becky Tompkinson; Cathy Burton; Caz Wilcox; Ellie Campen; Ian Guy; Layla Parry; Maxine Trick; Paul Traynier; Steph Anderson; Tim Browne and Tina Wing. The media team can be contacted in the Market Square, or via our roaming reporter team.