WSJ 2007 Contingent Leader's Log

We awoke from what was our coldest night so far, to bright sunshine and clear skys. The weathermen have predicted sunny conditions in their 3 days forecast. Let's hope it last for the rest of the Jamboree.

Our Brownsea participants left early this morning for the trip to Brownsea Island. Nathan Lorde and David Griffith had to be up at 5:00am to get ready for their early departure. I am sure that they will have a great time at this once in a lifetime experience - reliving the first scout camp 100 years to the day later.

The Troop visited the Global Development Village during the morning period. The GDV is a half day activity designed to help Participants reflect on issues and challenges facing the global community. The session begins with a motivational drumming session, followed by a two hour workshop on one of four themes: environment, health, human rights or peace. The activity will end with a special event where participants are encouraged to make a commitment to help make the world a little better when they return home.

After lunch, they were free to visit the various tents/booths in the Plaza or to visit the other subcamp areas to trade patches and make new friends. Mr. Roach joined us at the pavilion, while Mr. Charlemagne used this time to catch up on his sleep as he was responsible for waking Nathan & David and ensuring that they left on time.

The Contingent Support Team opened the Contingent Pavillion for our first full day. It was a busy day as their were a lot of visitors to the Jamboree site and several of them came into the World Scout Centre (were the Pavillion is). We were surprised by the number of people who knew were Barbados is located or had heard of Barbados although they did not know its location. There were several who had visited or honeymooned in Barbados or had friends/family who did. We were kept busy answering questions about Barbados and Scouting in Barbados.

While Mr. Hunte & Mrs. Jones opened the Pavillion this morning, I attended my first Contingent Leader's Meeting. These meeting had been taking place since the beginning of the Jamboree, but we were never informed of them. While at the Resource Centre yesterday, I happen to see a notice reminding Contingent Leaders of the meeting. (We were not the only ones who did not know of them). At the meeting I realised that several of the concerns we had, had already been raised and addressed. It was just a case that we were not aware that the minutes of these meetings and the answered to the questions raised at the meeting had been placed in our mailbox. YES, we have a mailbox. Apparently it is located at the Resource Centre. Before this I had been in the Centre on 3 occasions and no one mentioned that we had a mailbox and there was mail in it. I cleared the mailbox that afternoon and along with the minutes there were invitations to receptions that had already taken place or were taking place as we read the mail, information on the opening ceremony (long gone), etc. However, now that we know, we will check it twice daily.

Later.

Trevor.
Contingent Leader.
(2007-07-31)

PS. We finally got our sim cards so the full list of telephone numbers is as follows:

Hamilton Roach 011-44-7972-363511
Ryan Charlemagne 011-44-7972-822364

Trevor Jones 011-44-7972-363617
Wayne Hunte 011-44-7972-821208
Sonia Jones 011-44-7972-822381