The WSJ is the most prestigious event in Scouting and takes place every four years, each time hosted by a different country. The 24th WSJ will take place in North America in 2019. The event will see over 45,000 young people come together from 150 countries including over 3,000 young people from the UK (and just 27 from Somerset!). We have the once in a lifetime opportunity to build international relationships, experience a variety of cultures and develop ourselves as global citizens.

We need to raise £3,995 each to attend as well as undertaking a lot of training to get ready for this fantastic adventure. We have started our fundraising efforts by baking and selling cakes at school and are planning many activities over the next 12 months including a summer garden party, summer fete, kayaking events and bag packing.

Our World Scout Jamboree Story

Bethan

I have been involved in Scouting as a Scout, Explorer Scout and most recently as a young leader supporting the 1st East Coker Beaver Colony. I applied to be part of the Somerset WSJ 2019 Unit because I would like to share my experiences of scouting with scouts from across the world, meet new people and bring that learning back into our local scout group to encourage future generations.

I enjoy the challenge of trying new things and meeting new people, I’m particularly looking forward to making strong friendships in the Somerset team, being part of tight unit supporting and learning from one another.

When I return I would be excited to share my experiences to inspire other young scouts (especially the Beavers at East Coker Colony who I volunteer with).

Clare

I started scouts when I was 10 and am now an Explorer scout in West Coker and will soon be starting to volunteer as a young leader. During this time I have loved all the outdoor activities, friendships and the wide range of people who all enjoy the same things. Scouting has helped me to become a better leader, more resilient and more open to any opportunity that comes my way!

I applied to be a part of the Somerset WSJ unit because it will be a new and challenging experience: I will love meeting new people, finding out about their cultures and sharing my own scouting experiences with them. The challenge will be in being so far from home for so long, but in doing this I will gain confidence and skills for the future.

While in America I will be making international friendships and helping to bridge the gap between different countries and cultures through scouting. When I get back I look forward to sharing with scouts, cubs and beavers (who may one day get this chance too!) what I will have learnt about the importance of the international scouting family.

Ruby

I have the once in a lifetime opportunity to build international relationships, experience a variety of cultures and develop ourselves as global citizens.

I’m fourteen years old and have been involved in Scouting since I was five when I went to 102nd Leicester Cub Scouts’ summer camp and have been helping there each summer ever since. I started scouts at East Coker as a Beaver and went through Cubs. I am now a patrol leader in Scouts and will be moving onto Explorer Scouts soon. I began helping as a young leader with our Beavers last September for my Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze award and because I enjoyed it so much I have carried on every Wednesday; I’ll be going to camp with them in July. During my time in scouting, I have really enjoyed activities like abseiling, archery and pioneering.

I applied to be part of the Somerset WSJ 2019 Unit because I would like to meet scouts from other countries and compare the differences of their scouting experiences to my own.

This will be one of the greatest challenges of my life so far and will be unlike anything I am likely to be part of again. The chance to interact with the vast number of different nationalities in the same place is an opportunity that cannot be turned down. I enjoy challenging and cooperative activities, I’m particularly looking forward to exchanging knowledge and skills within the Somerset team, being part of a world greater than my hometown and taking part in a thrilling and fun adventure.

Toby

The World Scout Jamboree (WSJ) is the most prestigious event in Scouting and takes place every four years, each time hosted by a different country. The 24th WSJ will take place in North America in 2019. The event will see over 45,000 young people come together from 150 countries including over 3,000 young people from the UK (and just 27 from Somerset!).

We have the once in a lifetime opportunity to build international relationships, experience a variety of cultures and develop ourselves as global citizens. I have been involved in scouting as part of the East Coker unit for over 10 years. Firstly, in Beavers and Cubs, and then as a Scout where I achieved my Chief Scout’s Gold Award. Currently I am an Explorer in the Coker Crusaders. Scouting has provided me with an opportunity to have many new experiences, gain leadership and team-working skills, build my confidence as well always being fun and active.

Applying to be part of the Somerset Unit is the culmination of my experience in scouting. WSJ19 will give me the opportunity to meet and socialise with fellow scouts from varied cultural and geographical backgrounds, sharing my experiences both of scouting and my life and learning from theirs. For me one of the main challenges will be presenting and promoting myself to people I don’t know.

I will hopefully develop this very important life skill as part of the planned training camps. I am proud to have this chance to take part in and enjoy this unique experience and look forward to sharing my experiences and inspiring other young people on my return.