The World Scout Jamboree is a 10 to 12 day camping experience for scouts around the world.
It takes place every four years, and is hosted by a different country each time.
Tens of thousands of young people aged 14 to 17, travel with their leaders to camp outdoors, learn about other cultures and make new friends.
But what actually happens at the Jamboree? And what’s gone wrong at this year’s event? Read on to find out everything you need to know
Every four years at the Jamboree, tens of thousands of young people aged 14 to 17, travel with their leaders to camp outdoors, learn about other cultures and make new friends
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What is the World Scout Jamboree?
The World Scout Jamboree is a World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) event.
It has gathered Scouts from around the world since 1920 – since then 24 events have been held and this year marks the 25th.
It’s one of the largest outdoor educational events for young people – youngsters can meet people from all over the world and share their cultural and national backgrounds.
It lasts for 10-12 days and the Jamboree is the size of a small town once all the tents are up.
Scout’s go to planned activities in the day time with their Unit’s, which are outlined in the event’s official programme.
In the evenings they can take part in badge swapping or join in with the entertainment – there are traditional performances from different countries.
This year’s Jamboree
More than 40,000 Scouts from all over the world have gathered, including 4,500 British children who make up the UK Contingent
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee taking a selfie with Scouts at the Jamboree’s opening ceremony
This year’s World Scout Jamboree is currently taking place in Saemanguem, South Korea – it began on August 1 and ends on August 12.
This is to mark a century of Scouting in South Korea. The Korea Scout Association was founded in the year 1922 and is today it’s the largest youth organization in the country.
After the Jamboree is complete, a permanent Scout Center will be created on the site.
The theme of this year’s Jamboree is ‘Draw Your Dream’ – it aims to encourage members to transform the Jamboree into their own festival and grow their dreams while they take part.
More than 40,000 Scouts from all over the world have gathered, including 4,500 British children who make up the UK Contingent.
According to the Scout’s website, it’s being used to both ‘celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Scout Movement in Korea in 2022 and to prepare for the next 100 years.’
This isn’t the first time the Korea Scout Association (KSA) have hosted.
They hosted the 17th Jamboree in 1991 which was the first World Jamboree to include the Global Development Village – now a key part of the event.
The Global Development Village teaches Scouts about global issues and how to work towards creating a better world.
The theme of this year’s Jamboree is ‘Draw Your Dream’ – last year’s theme was ‘Unlock a New World.’
Why is it in the news?
600 kids have been struck down due to the hot temperatures, and a Scout leader exclusively told MailOnline that people who he knows over there ‘have had an absolute nightmare’
A statement released on the Scout’s website today, explains that the UK Scouts will be moving to Seoul
The event coincides with the highest heat warning by the government in four years
However, this year’s Jamboree in South Korea has not gone to plan due to a ‘nightmare’ heatwave.
The event coincides with the highest heat warning by the government in four years, as temperatures in some parts of South Korea topped 38C this week.
600 kids have been struck down due to the hot temperatures, and a Scout leader exclusively told MailOnline that people who he knows over there ‘have had an absolute nightmare’.
He also claims that a food shortage has left children having a dessert for lunch and complaints are being censored – accusing the UK contingent leaders of telling staff not to share any images of anything bad going on.
The tally of people in hospitals with heat-related illnesses is over 700 and parents are worried for their children’s safety.
Another source told MailOnline hat there was not enough shade so the UK contingent ‘had to go off site and buy poles and shading material’ to give the British youngsters more shelter from the sun.
The tally of people in hospitals with heat-related illnesses is over 700 and parents are worried for their children’s safety
A statement released on the Scout’s website today, explains that the UK Scouts will be moving to Seoul:
‘We will start moving our people to hotel accommodation over the next two days.
‘As we are the largest contingent, our hope is that this helps alleviate the pressure on the site overall.
‘We know that may be a disappointment for some and we will continue the Jamboree experience in Seoul, working with Korean authorities on a programme of activities so our young people still get the most from their time in Korea.’
They added that the young people will travel home as originally planned from 13 August.
What is Bear Grylls connection to the Scouts?
Bear Grylls is the UK’s Chief Scout – a role he was appointed in 2009, aged 34
Among the 4,500 children from the UK, is British adventurer Bear Grylls.
Bear Grylls is the UK’s Chief Scout – a role he was appointed in 2009, aged 34.
When he was appointed, he was the UK’s youngest ever Chief Scout and he remains the face of the organisaiton today.
He described it as ‘one of the proudest moments’ of his life.
Grylls recently gave a speech at the Jamboree to boost morale and shared it on social media.
The caption read: ‘It’s super hot in Korea. To all @Scouts there, remember the mantra: Shade & hydrate act early if struggling buddy buddy always.’
