Soljam on tour – 2007.

 For some it may have started on Saturday 28 August 2007, but for the 44 Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Leaders this year's 21 st World Scout Jamboree started last April.

 Although the event was advertised to run between Thursday 27 July and Wednesday 8 August 2007, we had lots to do to prepare before those dates.

 After 15-months of fundraising over £41,000 on Thursday 27 July, Soljam, Solihull's first complete Jamboree Unit set off for Essex, They were waved off by the Mayor and Mayoress, County and District staff, as well as parents - in pouring rain. Cast your mind back to the summer. Floods, heavy rain, cold – normal British weather. Putting the tents up in the monsoon conditions at Hylands Park really tested the kit supplied for the camp. Then guess what – the rain stopped and for the next two weeks the weather was hot and sunny – very un-British.

 The British Scouts were invited to start the day before the rest of the world arrived, and we helped all of those guests settle in. During the first 24-hours a coach arrived or departed the camp every 15-seconds. We were surrounded by, Koreans, Hungarians, Poles, Argentinian's, French, Indonesians, Japanese, Kuwaitis and Americans. Our ‘street' was so colourful, and the languages spoken were so diverse, when coupled with the hot weather, it was difficult to remember we were still in England. Imagine a small town of over 40,000 people from as many backgrounds and cultures you can think of – that's a Jamboree. The camp was sub-divided into 16 Sub Camps, each named after a natural feature. We were on Wadi – which is a dried desert river bed – with over 2,000 others.

The camp had three large ceremonies, the opening – where Prince William and the Duke of Kent were present, Sunrise when we celebrated the 100-birthday of our movement and the closing, where we said goodbye to our new friends. Each in its own way was spectacular, but to see 40,000 scouts waving their sunrise neckers around their heads during the sunrise celebration still brings eyes to my eyes – if only the world could act in such unison!

 Activities ranged from adventurous such as Scuba diving to educational such as the effect of rubbish on the environment. We did off-site activities at Gilwell park, water activities at Alton Water and community work and a local health centre and Scout camp.

 I said before the camp, as I got to know our Scouts a little better, month by month, that I was convinced they would make you all proud of them – well they surpassed even that. During the camp they gave away, two large bags of their own clothes, and £800 in gift vouchers to Scouts from other parts of the world who were in more need of this stuff than them. It was their decision not mine or any of the other leaders – and sorry Ian even the cricket bats, football and rugby balls we purchased are now in Nigeria.

 A Jamboree is not about exciting activities – it's about the coming together of the family of Scouting. It mattered not where people come from, it was hugs, kisses and high-fives all around. I never saw anyone without a smile – and to be honest towards the end of the camp we were very tired, but still smiling. But most, if not all, of the unit didn't want the camp to finish - the event was in a way almost magical.

 Our Scouts made new friends, and I know many have been in contact with them since we returned. They have learnt far more than I can ever imagine, or report in such a short account. They all have their own stories, and I have no doubt they will happily provide accounts for anyone willing to listen.

 It has been a long hard road since the 18 April 2006, when we had our first meeting. Many of you have supported us and I thank you all for that.

 A number of the Unit have expressed an interest to go to the 22 nd celebration in Sweden in 4-years time as members of the IST – so they obviously found the event somewhat worthwhile!

 So only one question remains - was it worth all the time and the effort  – you bet.

 Steve O'Grady

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