My twin sons are Rutland Explorer Scouts and next year they are embarking on a once in lifetime experience to the 24th World Scouting Jamboree in summer 2019, as part of the UK Contingent. The cost of this once in a lifetime opportunity is around £3800 each, which is a substantial amount of money, the majority of which needs to be fundraised. It is important to be noted that a portion of this will go towards supporting other scouts from poorer nations to attend.

This trip to West Virginia, North America is a hugely important scouting event in which Scouts from all over the world come together to participate in a wide range of activities such as adventure sports, some of the longest zip-wires, rock climbing and white-water rafting. It’s a great chance to meet new people and make new friends for a lifetime. The World Scout Jamboree is about peace, friendship and adventure and is also aimed at developing leadership skills.

To them, the event means a lot, they are aware of what a great achievement it is to be selected. This is their opportunity to change, develop and better themselves by travelling to a new country and immersing themselves in the culture and getting stuck in with every possible opportunity. 50,000 scouts from 160 different countries are going, and they are proud to be part of that community. Part of the 3 week trip is a camp with local scout groups and this will allow them to learn differences and similarities between scouting here and in the USA, as well as get to know local culture.

We are raising funds in many ways. We have been delivering the Rutland Living magazines for a few years now and this will provide support in the fundraising for the event. We are also planning cake sales, camping events for Rutland Scouts and car washes, as well as long intensive cycle rides, from Langham in Rutland to Langham in Norfolk. They have been using some of their talents to fundraise, for example they have taken it upon them selves to busk in towns to earn some money with other friends also going to the Jamboree, which has been a success so far over the Christmas period. Their Mum is knitting jumpers for dogs to raise funds too.