CSJ 2009 Contingent Leaders' Log

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.

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.

We awoke after a hot night interspersed with frequent visits by the winged residents of the dorm - I am sure they enjoyed the imported buffet provided for them. We graciously accepted an invitation to breakfast from our host as our stoves and cooking utensils were also in the container. After breakfast we bathed and changed and then set about our task for the day. Mssrs. Trotman and Hinds remained in camp to deal with the equipment when the container arrived while the rest of us went to town to complete our tasks. Mrs. Jones and Mr. Edghill to purchase the groceries, Mr. Charlemagne and I to change money and Mr. Babb along with Mr. Charlemagne to get the passport photos they did not submit. After 1:00pm. a call to Mr. Trotman informed us that he was at the port having the container inspected by Customs - maybe their is hope.

It is now 2:15pm. and I am sitting at the front of the supermarket waiting for Mrs. Jones and Mr. Edghill to finish shopping. Mr. Charlemagne and I have already been to the bank and I am now nervously transporting 1/4 million in cash (GY$ that is). Mr. Charlemagne and Mr. Babb have just gone to the hardware store to purchase some rope and then go to get their passport photos. As Group 2 is scheduled to touch down at the airport, a call from Mr. Trotman has just informed me that the truck has arrived to move the container and all they are waiting on now is for Customs to "sign-off" on it. Maybe......maybe......just maybe......the container will arrive at the campsite before Group 2.

Mrs. Jones and Mr. Edghill are now ready and want me to come and pay the $54,000.00 grocery bill. As we are finish paying, Messrs. Charlemagne and Babb arrive back at the supermarket and we are going to get two taxis to take the groceries back to camp. Will it be there or wont it??

Stay tuned for our next episode of "Container Trials" and see if it arrives....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?.......Tune in tomorrow! - Same Contingent Channel! - Same Contingent Time!

Later.

Trevor.
Contingent Advisor

We awoke and sadly realized that we had spent our final night at the Kanuku Suites. After breakfast we went to town to change money and to look for some equipment we still needed. After lunch we returned to the hotel, finished packing and checked-out. We then took a taxi to the Jamboree site with the intention of sorting out the equipment in the container by the time Group 1 arrived from the airport. However, when we arrived at the site there was no container to be seen. A check with those present confirmed this so we proceeded to wait again for the container. Around 4:00pm. Group 1 (Messrs. Charlemagne, Edghill, Babb, Hinds and Boyce) arrived at the campsite from the airport. After receiving the news they joined us patiently awaiting the container. As darkness approached, it was obvious that the container would not be arriving (During this time Mr. Boyce who was not staying on site left). The Camp Chief soon arrived from the ongoing Chief Commissioners Conference and confirmed this. He informed us that Customs had promised to release it first thing in the morning.

Then came the dilemma, where would we sleep? And on what? All of our sleeping bags were in the container! I then spoke to the Int'l Commissioner and she said that they would make space for us in the staff quarters. We then went to dinner and on our return we made our way to the staff quarters with our bags. Being all good Scouts, we made best of the accommodations for the nights. They were enough beds available although the mattresses did not have sheets. Those of us without a sheet made do with what we had and settled in for the night. Being good Leaders (i.e. most part idjut), Mrs. Jones, Mr. Trotman and I did not return to Kanuku Suites to see if we could get our rooms back for another night.

Later.

Trevor.
Contingent Advisor