Account by Dot:

I thought the closing ceromony was amazing the artists they got were interesting and learning about what Japan is gonna be like was fab !!   It was a very sad time and i couldnt help cry as always it rained so everyone was soaking but still we all manadged to have fun and close the jamboree with a blast.  The firework display they had was amazing and was the perfect end to an amazing time.

Account by Emily:

On the way to the closing ceremony we sung songs and shouted. It was amazing to be part of the crowd walking to the stage. When we got to the stage Jam N was being played on the big screen and IST were still setting up the stage. We sat in our cities; summer, winter and autumn. There were scouts everywhere!

We had lots of acts such as Europe, singing The Final Countdown, a local Swedish singer and D. Lemma and P. Klang, singing the Jamboree song 2011. We listened to the Swedish king talking about scouts and the Jamboree. He then did a rocket which we all joined in with.

We listened to the Jamboree song about 5 times, each time learning more of the words. We also watched fireworks, while they played Firework by Katy Perry. We generally had a great time in the rain and cold with all the friends we had made during the Jamboree.

As we walked back to camp, wishing that the Jamboree wasn’t nearly over, we deliberated over whether to stay up until the 1am curfew or go to bed and get warm! I think most people decided to go to bed. The boys were sleeping in the dining shelter, and the girls slept in 2 of the tents. There was also thunder and lightning that night.

Account by Zach:

The closing ceremony had arrived far too quickly after the 10 days of activities and excitement. Despite the weather which we are use to we had great time and I also saw some friends I had made nearby so it gave a good opportunity to say goodbye to them. Europe was a good choice of band in my opinion due to having a very well known song compared to the “Hoffmeister” from the cultural day festival.

Account by Anna:

The weather this evening was the same as yesterday, but we had so much fun that we didn’t mind the rain! I personally think that the Closing Ceremony was the best ceremony out of them all. At first it was a little tedious, with the same adverts running on the big screen over and over again, and interviews with other participants about how scouts is “all about having fun” or some rubbish like tha- I mean, some facts like that. But then a couple of singers came on stage and performed wonderfully, especially so because it was raining. There was a female Belgian singer who was wearing not a lot, and she didn’t even complain about the cold. Very impressive! The King and Queen of Sweden were also there with their matching (extremely attractive) yellow macs, doing the Mexican Wave in the rain with 39,000 damp scouts, which I thought was most incredible, as I could never picture our Queen giving a speech so witty in the rain! And what topped it off for me was Europe coming on and playing the Final Countdown, which is special to me because every time my scout troop returned home from a spring camp, youth hostel or summer camp in the minibus, my Skip (the one and only Rhod Walters) would blast out “The Final Countdown” on his brilliant CD, perfectly timed so it would finish at the exact moment we stopped.

We all were very sad to be leaving, but we cheered up when our (amazing) leaders told us our curfew for the night was 1am! The only down side to that was that at about quarter to 1, when I was tramping back from the Irish camp with Zak, the heavens opened and lightening crashed across the sky, and thus started the most magnificent thunderstorm I have ever seen. Now I love thunderstorms at the best of times, but not when I am running back to my tent in nothing but my pyjamas. When I got back, I was sopping wet, and there ensued the least comfortable night I spent on the Jamboree.

Account by Dot:

Our last module was people which i found intesting as we learned what it was like to go into someone elses country and not no there laws or rules. There was also a section on meditation which my group really enjoyed as we almost fell asleep while feeling relaxed and calm

Account by Emily:

In the people module we had the chance to reflect on our lives, in the garden of reflection. It was a bit like dream, but during the day and from birth to our actual ages.
We used our creative side to make bags with words that described us, or our lives. We could have made posters as well but it was too wet.
In the city core we could play a game called Raffa Raffa, where you made up a city and the rules for it.
There was also a stage where they played the jamboree song, and you got to dance and sing along.

Account by Zack:

I thought the people module was very different to the other modules as it looked at the lives of people you know, rather than looking at the lives of people with national or international issues. Although a shorter module to complete it gave us time to meet people from other countries while reflect upon our time at the Jamboree but also have fun at the same time. The activity I most enjoyed was Rafa Rafa with Rainbow. Rafa Rafa was an activity where our patrol, Team PIE (the best patrol) was teamed up with Czech patrol and we had to make up our own customs then identify the other patrols while being sent out of their country until we got them right but highly comical.

Account by Anna:

On Friday, we experienced the “People” module with our patrols. The weather was damp and gloomy, rather like our moods, as we were all glum at the thought of spending our last day in the rain. My initial impression of this activity was that it was just “Dream”, but in the daytime, as we were required to walk through the woods and glance at objects that jogged our memories of our past. My memory being dire at the best of times, this part of the activity hardly affected me at all; the earliest memory I was able to recall was having an asthma attack at the age of 3. Which is far from cheerful, really.

BUT! Following this, we had a thrilling activity where we painted little canvas bags with inspirational words, like “Courage” and “Responsibility”… and also painted ourselves. I don’t think the red will ever come off Sarah’s hands. Lastly, we went to the large stage to watch a fun show about something wonderful that I can’t remember (yes it was that motivational). However, Sarah and I did manage to complete the “Fyren” badge award, where we went round three different tents containing information on three different religions (Sikhism, Buddhism and the Muslim Faith), which I thought was really interesting! I got a Henna pattern up my hand from the Muslim tent, and I painted a little yellow fabric square with an image of Buddha on it… a successful day, topped by a wonderful meal cooked by Team Chuck Norris, of course!

By Joe:
I really haven’t been able to write a diary mostly because I don’t like writing but anyway here is a little bit about how I’ve felt. Yes there have been one or two lows like missing people and my phone breaking, but you soon have something to distract you at Jamboree.

Jamboree has built up many new friendships with people from all over the world and it has made life-long friends with people from my unit. I’m very lucky that my best friend on camp is there for me to talk to is very good cv cheering of up.

I realise that Jamboree is not all about the activities, its about the friends and the people that allow you to experience their culture.

Yes I do miss home, I won’t deny that, but I still have had the time of my life and am go grateful to all of those who made this happen. Well that’s all I can say, I’m having an amazing time and thank you everyone

Account by Edd:
Culture Day was extremely fun. I got the chance to try lots of tasty foreign food.
I also had the chance to tell lots of people about Wales.

Account by Monty:
On the Culture Day I went and tried different foods from many different cultures and countries. It was awesome to see so many people in  different traditional clothes.

Account by Anna:
I met some people from Ireland who are actually more sarcastic than me, which was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. I also made a bee out of beads.

Account by Rhys A:
I found it a good experience to try food from all different cultures especially some of the more exotic ones, like worms from Zimbabwe.

Account by Cassandra:
I thought Culture Day was great. I met loads of wonderful people from all over the world who made great conversation, and when it was all said and done I got to paint a daffodil on their faces.

Account by Will:
The lone 6am walk to the shower seemed to take forever.
As usual the communal showers were empty so I jumped right in and had a little party (in my pink and white shower shorts, ‘for the man that has nothing to hide, but still wants to’).

By 9 o’clock everyone was awake and had eaten breakfast and had begun preparing for the day ahead. Everyone donnedtheir Welsh clothing, with me choosing a practical rugby top, however two more eccentric leaders (Hattie and Jon) decided to wear traditional Welsh dress and a dragon outfit.

Zak from our patrol (Nimble Pixies [whoop whoop]) was the Welsh cake diva and really lived up to the name
After 4 hours of people flowing in while we covered their arms and faces with face paint and dragon stencils (which were a bit worn out by the end).

At 4pm Nimble Pixies (whoop whoop) started on tea. The original plan was to cook fried potatoes and bacon, which didn’t work due to the potato and bacon famine in the supermarket. We ended up with rice and sweet chilli chicken.
We managed to begin serving at 6 just as the Culture parade (which we were meant to be part of) walked past.
After some sneaky walking we discreetly joined the parade and managed to get suite near the front of the crowd.

When the music started we joined a mini-rave with the Scottish during which I lost my Welsh flag, “sad face”, which I was planning Jo swap for a stetson but couldn’t, “more sad face”.
When the party finished we retired to bed.

Account by Daniel O:
In the morning I woke us early. I then ate my breakfast. I was then told to make leeks out of foam sheets. I then went to do some work on the gateway.
Then I made our traditional Welsh cakes. I had to wear a Welsh t-shirt. About half an hour later we had lots of visitors.
We had to serve Welsh cakes to the participants, leaders and IST members. Then about 3 hours later we had to close to tidy us and we had food.

I really enjoyed the day and had lots of memories from different religions and cultures. I went bed at about 11:30 to get ready for the following day.

After Hatties little burial, everyone wants a go

After nearly 11 days of moaning we have finally had enough and decide to bury Hattie.

Account by Klaus (Matt) (Nimble Pixies):
Camp In Camp was a wonderful experience. We stayed in ‘Camp Uppland’ which was located in lush, green Swedish countryside with a river to the west.

Our patrol went to the camp with Swiss and English patrols.

The site had a family feel to it with our patrol getting ‘cosy’ in a teepee with 9 of us in one.

We enjoyed Swedish games in the glorious sunshine, which was a good break from jamboree life for 24 hours.

A good time was had by all culminating in a fantastic campfire.

Account by Jake (Chuck Norris):
On the 2nd we went to Camp In Camp. It took about 50 minutes to get there.
When we got off the bus we were taken to our patrol tents.
After we pet us inside we hot into groups and did one of water, nature or fire.
After we finished we went for a swim in the lake.

The next morning we did some mid-summer dancing and went rowing. After that it was time to come back to Camp.

Account by Lydia (Amser Noeth):
We all woke us at stupid-o-clock. We were taken to a bus stop, unaware of where we were going or what our captors intentions were. After a hours journey we arrived at our camp. Shortly after we discovered the vile ‘toilets’ (seriously do they even clean). We were then escorted to tent number 4 where we were informed that we would all be in one tent (except for leaders of course).

Following tip we were forced canoe (gasp).
Ben, Elliot and Joe decided to rescue EVERYONE!
Lydias and Dot’s paddles were seized by the ‘rescuers’ and the ‘vikings’ (ie Team Alex, Cullan, Daniel, Ben, Joe and Elliot).

Men with cameras suddenly appeared taking unexpected photos of us.
Cullan boarded Lydia’s and Dot’s boat knowing within minutes Daniel and Alex would be in the water… he was right.

Later there was a campfire with an over-enthusiastic Scout leader. We saw sketches from other countries and sang and learnt new songs.
We retired to the tent for Hattie to tell us a bed time story (Nail Stew) she then sang a lullaby (pokemon song). The leaders then left and we partied into the night and made us some more songs (mainly about the current courting couple). We then fell asleep.

In the morning we cooled breakfast then Fredric (our host) took us for a walk and an assault course. We completed the assault course Raven/Gladiator style. After half an hour we walked back and made woggles. Finishing these we sat in the shade feasting on jelly babies which we made up stories for.

Then we were escorted to the bus teary-eyed and tired. We sang songs and eventually fell asleep (apart from Ben who proceeded in his quest in pokemon yellow)

Account by Sean (Team Pie):
Well, it all began with our 4 patrols being repercudd on to 4 random buses; we could be going anywhere, however the journey was only 45 minutes (I enjoyed a great power nap!)

Once we arrived cv our unknown location, we were told we were at Näsudden campsite, 5 miles from Kristianstad. Theid were about 10 other patrols, plus all of the Swedish hosts so complete numbers were about 200.
We settled into our teepees for 2 days and began our first project as our hosts called it.
We were shown by a Swedish senior scout how to create craft from raindeer horn. This was really different and we were excited to try something so new to us.
We chose to make woggles and some made  necklaces. Once the project finished we all wanted to swim in the nearby lake. It was cool and refreshing. Sam, James, Rhys and Edd even managed to swim to the other side.
After dinner we had some ice cream and made our way to the campfire where each nation performed something, and the hosts have us some ideas to take good with us!

The following day we woke and had breakfast and then an hour on the lake in canoes enjoying the quiet and Swedish nature.
However, all good things must come to end and sadly we said goodbye to our hosts and told them to visit us cv the Jamboree.
We were happy to leave knowing one thing – SKRABLUKEN!

Account by Anna:
Woke up to a glorious sunny day and the task of cooking baked beans and fried bread for 41 people, which proved to be more challenging than today activity, as my patrol (Team Chuck Norris) was shamefully disorganized, resulting is breakfast being served 20 minutes late, a fact that did not stop Elliot stumbling over, bleary eyed 40 minutes after the last morsel of food was munched, demanding nourishment.

Today’s activity was Quest; which was by far the best activity we’ve done this week.
It began with some team building activities, such as using many strings to lift a box and put it down on a target, falling over ourselves as we attempted to solve a jigsaw blindfolded, not to mention the assault course which we ‘ran’ through, resulting in near death from heatstroke for most of us. This wonderful escapade earned us each another bead to add to the bracelet, which most of us have lost anyway.
So we celebrated by using freezing cold water, in buckets to have a shower at camp – a most thrilling experience.

I am now sat with my comrades awaiting a delicious and nutritious meal cooked by a fellow patrol that I sincerely hope will not result in food poisoning.
(Leaders Note: we have had no food poisoning!)

Stay safe parents.

for those of you wondering about the weather situation, after an almighty rainstorm on Saturday evening at about 5ish (pretty equivalent to a normal sunny day in Barry!) The skies cleared and the sun showed itself at exactly 18.07 local time!

Apart from a few short drops of rain since the weather has changed for the better and we’ve been treated to glorious sunshine for the last couple of days with more forecast to come…so fingers crossed!!!

Sundays activity was the module zone Earth. There were 4 areas; Wind, Soil, Water and Oxygen.

In Wind we built a paper wind mill which now is on proud display on our gateway. This was followed by a discussion about renewable energy.

In Soil we learnt about the filtering properties of different types of soil and what each soil type could remote.

In Water we were given a same filled section of pipe to build a river around our ‘town’ and ‘factory’, which were already in place. The trick was to make the river fast enough to get the water to the next section but not so fast as to destroy you river banks.

In Oxygen we looked at disasters closes to home and how they might have been prevented.

After a really enjoyable activity zone, there is free time to enjoy some of the international food houses, explore the countrys display tents or to find a spontaneous activity to try, all dotted around the site.

For dinner, 2 of our patrols went for tea with some Scouts from Bovaria in exchange for 2 of their patrols coming to us. Again a fantastic to learn about different types of scouting and cultures.

Off to Quest module zone, so another detailed accomt to follow… By one of the Explorers this time, I promise.

Over and out

With on sun to use our solar chargers, patchy WiFi and a massive queue to the internet cafe, I though I would never connect to the outside world again. But here I am.

Dream was our Friday night time activity – a journey of regression for death to birth. A reflective, emotional experience.

Not really! The weather has still been pretty pants today, but that hasn’t stopped us from having fun!!!

We started our modular activities today, with a visit to the Global Development Village. We’ll get a couple of the unit to write some blog entries about their experiences there later.

This evening it’s been a bit like the united nations in our dining shelter, with visitors from all over the world popping in to say hello and have a cup of tea (especially popular with the Americans!)

Tonight, we’ve got the Dream module from 11-2am, followed by a much needed lie in tomorrow morning

Must dash, it’s started to rain again!

Keep the coments coming!

Jon

Jambo official opening last night – fortunately the rain held off. Very exciting gathering with the other units in our sub camps, complete with band from Burundi, lots of chanting, shouting, singing.
39,000 Scouts look pretty impressive when all gathered together – flags from many countries ( some we’d even heard of) were carried in, then an entertaining history of Sweden including a world attempt in “le plop”, and (of course) a bit of ABBA. So it’s all officially begun!
Sam J has been the driving force in the construction of our impressive gateway – much admired, photos to follow. Alan Sugar should feel threatened by Jake’s entrepreneurial skills, as the master haggler, swopping welsh flags for a global souvenir collection.

Well… We come all this way and we manage to bring the rain with us.

We are busy pioneering a gateway, washing station and clothes line. All busy little bees.

When we find the internet cafes the Explorers will take over as journalist’s and I’m retiring. But until then, over and out.

We have arrived at the site and are busy preparing the site for 3 weeks of life