South Yorkshire Contingent24th World Scout Jamboree

South Yorkshire Contingent24th World Scout Jamboree

South Yorkshire Contingent

Participant Selection

Guidance and Information

Introduction

A World Scout Jamboree is a world Scouting event for young people aged at least 14 and under 18 on the first day of the Jamboree and is a gathering of Scouts and Guides from all over the world for an exciting programme of global development, peace, cultural understanding, adventure, fun and friendship.

The Scout Association has a long history of sending large number of Units (36 young people and four leaders, divided into four patrols) as part of a UK Contingent to attend Jamborees. In 2007, The Scout Association hosted the 21st World Scout Jamboree at Hylands Park in Essex. In 2011, the UK Contingent to the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden was the association’s largest ever overseas expedition. In 2015, the UK Contingent to the 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Japan comprised over 3,500 youth and adult members. Each Contingent has enjoyed a varied and exciting experience.

The 24th World Scout Jamboree will take place at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia and the dates of the event are 22 July – 2 August 2019. The event is being hosted by the Boy Scouts of America, Scouts Canada and Scouts of Mexico. This is the largest event delivered by Scouting worldwide and 45,000 young people and adult volunteers are expected to attend from over 150 countries.

What do we know about the Jamboree so far?

The 24th World Scout Jamboree will take place at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia which is a 10,000-acre site and the dates of the Jamboree are 22 July – 2 August 2019 but the South Yorkshire Contingent may travel before the start and stay after the close. The exact dates will be confirmed later.

For the first time, a World Scout Jamboree will be hosted by three National Scout Organizations and the three distinct cultures will join together to host Scouts from across the works in a celebration of cultural exchange, mutual understanding, peace and friendship.

What to expect during the event

Weather – The month of July in West Virginia is usually hot and humid, with daily high temperatures of around 26°C. Some rain, particularly thunder storms are likely during the summer months in West Virginia. Humidity is likely to be high during the Jamboree, and this will make the ‘real feel’ temperature seem much hotter than the forecasted 26°C.

The Site – Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve is in an area of natural beauty which offers a huge range of adventurous activities. The site is hilly, spread over a large area with access provided by gravel pathways.

Below are some highlights of what the Summit Bechtel Reserve has to offer:

•Longest combined zip lines in the world (5.45 miles/8.7 kilometers)

•Longest canopy course in the country (9.55 miles/15.3 kilometers)

•Largest man-made outdoor climbing facility in the country (218 stations)

•Top purpose-built mountain biking facility in the country

•Second-largest outdoor skate park in the country (4.6 acres/ 1.7 hectares)

•Second-largest BMX facility in the country (13.7 acres/ 5.3 hectares)

•Third-largest archery range in the country (116 stations)

•Largest natural outdoor arena in West Virginia (80,000 capacity)

•Access to one of the top-rated rafting, kayaking, and fishing rivers in the country

•Access to some of the most popular climbing areas in the country.

Further information about the Jamboree can be found at

Costs

The Scout Association are currently working on the costs for UK Contingent participants for the Jamboree, which we envisage will be in line with previous Jamborees (we estimate around £3,500). As with previous Jamborees, the costs will be paid in instalments and the instalment payment period is likely to run during 2017 and 2018 with the first payment (estimated at £500) due in November 2017. Meeting the payment plan is the responsibility of the Jamboree participants and should payments not be received this could affect participation in the Jamboree.

However, financial status should not be a barrier to supporting the Jamboree and so to help with costs, the South Yorkshire Contingent will undertake local fundraising efforts for Jamboree participants to support young people to attend and further information about covering the cost of the Jamboree, including any grants or other financial support availablewill be issued once available.

South Yorkshire Contingent

The South Yorkshire Contingent to the 24th World Scout Jamboree will once again enjoy all the excitement and experiences that a World Scout Jamboree offers. We have been allocated the following spaces:

• Full Unit – 36 young people and four leaders from South Yorkshire
• Joint Unit – 27 young people and three leaders from South Yorkshire and 9 young people and one leader from Central Yorkshire

The exact format of the Jamboree experience is still to be developed, but each Unit will take part in the Jamboree experience, and participate in homestay with a family from one of three host nations. There may also be some form of UK Contingent led programme; whilst the location is to be determined, it is anticipated that this will be over several days and will give Units the opportunity to create, shape and develop their own activities, in addition to any centrally led activities.

Leader Recruitment and Selection

We are underway with the recruitment and selection of the seven leaders required for the South Yorkshire Contingent and expect to have them in place before the final selection event for participants. That way everyone can meet each other.

Participant Recruitment, Application and Selection

Recruitment of young people is being organised by the South Yorkshire County Team for all eligible young people from across the County. There is no Group or District pre-selection with every eligible young person from across the County having the opportunity to apply.

Application is via an online form which asks for some background information about you and why you are interested in going to the 24th World Scout Jamboree. The questions asked on the form are listed below. It would be a good idea for you to write down your answers before starting the online application that way you can make sure you have thought about your answers. If you are stuck for ideas please ask a parent/guardian/Scout leader etc but make sure you write it in your words.

a)Personal details – name, address, date of birth, email address, parent/guardians name, email and phone number.

b)Equality details – gender, medical details, special and support needs, religious requirements, any other issues which could impact on your participation (this is to ensure we are aware and can support where relevant and appropriate)

c)Scouting details – Group/Explorer Unit Name, Leaders name, leaders email address, details of Scouting awards and roles held (such as Patrol Leader etc).

d)General questions

1. What do you enjoy doing at Scouts/Explorers?
2. What don’t you like?
3. What do you think you will get out of attending the 24th World Scout Jamboree?
4. How do you intend to raise funds to cover the fees?
5. If you could change one thing in the world today – what would it be and why?

Application Form

All online applications must be received before midnight on 17th September 2017. You will receive an automated email immediately after submitting your application and you will receive a further email after the 17th September.

Your online applications will be reviewed but WILL NOT be used to shortlist. Everyone who applies will be given the opportunity to attend one of the two short-listing days in September or October. The exact format and dates of the Short-Listing days is being confirmed but is expected to start at 9:30 and run until 3:30 and during the day you will be required to undertake several activities, group exercises and an interview.

We will also ask your Scout/Explorer Leader for some information but we will do this once we have had your application and before the short-listing day.

Dependant on numbers who get through the short-listing day we may need to run a final selection day in October. Again, the exact format of the days is being developed and like the Short-Listing days is expected to start at 9:30 and run until 3:30 and you will be required to undertake several activities, group exercises and a further interview.

We will offer places across both the Full and Joint Units based on this final selection day. You will hear no later than 10th October 2017 if you have been successful.

Good luck

Mike FirthRichard Wade

Assistant County Commissioner (International)Deputy County Commissioner

Participant PackPage 1 of 430 June 2017