Jamboree Contingent Logs

Wow! Two weeks are gone already! It seems like only yesterday that Mrs. Jones, Mr. Trotman and I landed in Guyana. In reality that was 17 days ago. The Contingent’s trip has had everything – ups and downs – fun & excitement and disappointments – and the unexpected. But like true Scouts we rose to the occasion whatever it was.

The memories of Jamboree will be with us for a long time: meeting Scouts from other countries; making new friends from other countries and from Barbados; going to the showers only to find out “dere is na watta”; breaking the flag from the top of the Troop Gateway; the Jamboree tours; Royal Castle; waiting in vain for the container; the long, long, long drive to Molson Creek; the jet boat ride through the rapids; Baganara Resort; Marshall Falls; and shopping in Georgetown with thousands of dollars in your pocket – just to name but a few. This is what makes Jamboree such a special event – for each one of us who were there we will have experienced different things and will therefore have different memories even though we were at the same Jamboree.

But now it has come to an end. Groups 1 and 2 returned to Barbados yesterday, Mrs. Jones & I are departing in 30 minutes, and Mr. Cumberbatch will depart at 2:45pm. Mrs. Jones, Mr. Cumberbatch and I stayed on yesterday to ensure that all was in place for the container to sail tomorrow. Although we are looking forward to going home all of us will be sorry to leave the new friends we have made – especially here in Guyana – hoping that we will be able to meet them soon. Until that time there will be email, Face Book, Scout Face, and a whole lot of other ways to keep in touch with one another.

As the time approaches to board our flight it is time to end this log and I struggle to find the appropriate end to this log. Dare I say that Lord willing……
See You All In 2012 In Barbados!!!!!

Trevor.
Contingent Advisor.

PS. Although our flight left on time, our bags decided that they were not ready to leave Guyana yet, so they took the next flight to Barbados. Luckily Mr. Cumberbatch was also on that flight and was able to deliver them to us.

Saturday.
There was parachute jumping from 6,000 feet at the opening ceremony.
They are scouts here from Guyana, Trinidad, Argentina, St. Vincent and the British Virgin Islands.

Monday.
On Monday we awoke at about 5:00am. and got ready for the Jamboree march which was held at 9:00am. We had transportation from the campsite to the 1763 Monument. The march was a march through Georgetown which lasted for about an hour and thirty minutes and ended at the National Park where we were picked up and taken back to camp. Also on Monday there was a Subcamp concert where we performed a skit and sang three songs.

Tuesday.
On Tuesday some of us went white washing trees in Georgetown. The tree were painted with a grey substance which turned white on drying. We also went to the Promenade Garden.

Wednesday.
On Wednesday some of us went painting roadsigns in Georgetown. We painted zebra crossings. Their was also another Subcamp concert on Wednesday but we were just apart of the audience.

Thursday.
Thursday we visited the Splashmins beach report where we spent most of the day relaxing kayaking and pedal-boating. Later in the evening their was a candle light march to the Parade Ground on which the campfire was held. On the march their was a festivals like atmosphere as there were drums playing. We performed once more at the campfire doing a different skit and two different songs.

Friday.
On Friday we went shopping for most of the day and when we came back we just relaxed played football and dominoes and mingled with other Scouts.

Shane Maloney.
Wilkie Cumberbatch Scout Troop

Today 12th August we toured the Parika sea port. There was a ship there called "Malale" and we took a picture infront of it. After the tour was over, we went into some stores and then it was over and we got into the bus and then we went back to camp. On our arrival we found that the tents were wet and we had to dry them out. We also put up a clothes Line and carryed out the garbage and that was it .

Nathan Babb
131 Scout Troop

Last time on "Container Trials"....The main Contingent Group was scheduled to arrive and the container was still in the port and the dilemma was...will the Contingent have to sleep out in the open?....will they have to go hungry?....or will they be able to borrow cooking utensils?.......and now the conclusion!

We made the trip back to camp in the taxis - too many groceries for just one. On our arrival we eagarly looked around for that 20' brown beacon of hope with the white lettering Tropical....but alas it was not insight....What would we do now? was the question on our minds as we all off-loaded the groceries from the taxi to await the arrival of Group 2.

A few minutes later we saw Mr. Trotman approaching from the back of the Jamboree site. He inquired if we had seen the container. What container? Where? were the anxious questions. He informed us the container had arrived a little before us and the only place to park it was at the back of the site since all the areas at the front of the site had to remain clear. He then pointed out the location of the container and we could see the front of it peeking out from behind a building far, far at the back of the campsite. A quick concensus was reached that the container was too far away for us to start bring the tents to the campsite - not after all that walking in the heat in town! We would have to await the arrival of Group 2 to assist with moving the equipment to our campsite in the George Manley Subcamp.

A short while later, Group 2 arrived from the airport a little later than expected as their flight had been delayed. We showed them an empty booth where they could temporarily store their gear and change out of their uniforms. We then set about the task of off-loading the container and moving the equipment to the campsite, leaving a couple of Leaders to oversee the personal gear. Once the tents were moved to our area we set about the task of pitching them and then storing the equipment before moving the personal gear to the tents.

After settling in a light dinner was prepared. After dinner the Troop was familiarised with the Subcamp area and our neighbours - 2 Guyanese & 1 Trinidadian Troops. Mssrs. Roach, Cumberbatch, Shepherd and I attended a Contingent Leaders Meeting where we were briefed on the Opening Ceremony and the programme in general.

It has been a long day for all and we are all turning in for an early night.

Later.

Trevor.
Contingent Advisor.

Group 2 of the Contingent arrived at the Grantley Adams International Airport on time and to schedule. We were greeted by Acting Chief Commissioner Mrs. Joan Pinder who spoke to both boys and Leaders before the Contingent departed. At 11:20 the Contingent proceeded in to the departure lounge where we waited to board the aircraft which was delayed. While we were there the District Commissioner from Bridgetown Mr. Anthony Archer greeted members of the Contingent and wished the members of the Contingent a safe and enjoyable trip.

The flight departed Grantley Adams international Airport at 1:00pm. and the flight experienced some turbulence after the first hour of flying. We arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at 3:15pm. where we were greeted by the Sub-Camp Leader of the George Manley Sub-Camp, Ms. Charissa Rampersaud, which happened to be the Sub-Camp we were assigned to.

We arrived at the National Exhibition Centre at 4:30pm. and was greeted by the Contingent Advisor Mr. Trevor Jones and other members of the advance party from the Barbados Contingent.

We then proceeded to set up the campsite. This took a while, however we were able to get all the sleeping accommodation and Quartermasters stores set up by sunset. Supper was served and the scouts and other members of the contingent bed down for the night.

Stephen Sobers.
Contingent Secretary.