Witnessing the wonders of the World Jamboree

7/31

When we woke up this morning everybody was ready for our day at the 21st World Scout Jamboree,  located at Hyland Park in Chelmsford, England. Another article here. 40,000 scouts and leaders representing over 150 Scouting organization throughout the world were in attendance and we appreciated other nations' booths, noting superior Swedish pioneering projects like a ferris wheel, a Canadian Scouting tent where we sang the CANADA cheer for them and also kicking a Brazilian soccer ball. Being a student of Spanish, I enjoyed the Mexican booth and had my picture taken in a Mexican outfit. Alec Hughes met fellow scouts from Poland. We also visited the many Ecology Conservation booths and even smelled the differences between types of farm animal poop!

I traded patches with a rad Swedish scout and 3 German scouts of the female persuasion. Other scouts from our troop set up their patches to trade on a table and many different people stopped by to trade with them.  We also met up with Paul Shmedley and Chris Greene, who were this summer's Exchange Scouts from Peterborough, England. In addition we met  Mr. Cesar Altamirano's cousin, who recently served as President of the Scouts of Ecuador. It was great to see the World Scouting movement in action with scouts from all over the globe getting along peacefully and learning each other's culture.  Thus ends the daily entry according to Adam Cleri   

 

Today was one good day. It stated off at 5:30AM with box-o-breakfasts and traveling the clean streets of London by our coach bus so we could make it to the World Jamboree outside of London. The World Scout Jamboree was big, but as visitors there was less hands on things to do then if we were participants, like at our National Jamborees. But there was never a problem finding someone to talk to from any part of the world. People would just come up to other scouts and after saying hi, begin asking where they were from and then trading patches and neckerchiefs. Chuck Stankye IV even traded his scout shirt with a female Scout from Italy!  Lunch was had by visiting the different country's food booths and some of us had Hungarian Goulash, some had French Crepes and some had Chinese food. The German "Black Magic" tent even offered non-alcoholic beer.

After 7 hours doing World Jamboree stuff we left for our next destination, overnight in Coventry, England. We are staying at and had a great dinner at Britannia Hotel, which is in the center of Coventry. It is right near the Coventry Cathedral, which was bombed during the WWII blitz of Coventry and only the shell is remaining as a memorial. The new St. Michael's Cathedral is nearby.  By Matthew Frovarp

Full Day in London

6/30 Our first full day in London began with a double decker bus tour of the city. The weather has been bright and sunny with a nice breeze, a great day for sightseeing.  We all then headed to the Tower Castle and spent several hours visiting this World historic site. We saw the very large and valuable Crown Jewels, the torture chambers and the weapons hall in the White Tower, which was built in the 1100's. We got to grip a sword with armor on. We also saw the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. We then broke up into our smaller groups and visiting things such as an amazing Star Wars exhibit, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and also the Baden-Powell hostel, where we posed in front of a statue of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouting movement.

For dinner we went to the original Hard Rock Cafe where we saw Jimi Hendrick's guitar and other Rock and Roll history. We also went to the Hard Rock store afterward. Former English exchange scout (from the 1970s) Simon Seaton and his wife Linda met us at the hotel.  It was a busy day and tiring, but it was alot of fun.   By Jimmy Anderson

   

Living large in London

6/29 Flight arrived safely and we made it to the Kensington Close Hotel. We dropped our luggage off and headed out to see the sights which included a Thames River Cruise and the fantastic London Eye, where we were treated to a birdseye view of the city.

The first day. After our overnight flight to Heathrow Airport in London we took a bus to our hotel. We went to our rooms in our hotel to unpack and get ready for our day. Using the London Underground, or "Tube" we headed to the London Eye River Cruise where we saw all the sights on the Thames River including Big Ben, London Bridge, The Tower of London, The Tower Bridge and the rebuilt Globe Theater. After the cruise we went on the London Eye Ferris Wheel where we went very high into the air and saw the city of London from 100 meters into the sky. While in our London Eye pod we took out our American flag and had our picture taken. The weather was perfect, sunny and warm.  I also bought an English Flag hat. We returned by subway to our hotel for a good night's sleep. By Evan Altamirano

The WISE Trip begins

Troop 3 scouts at the Derby train station yesterday afternoon waiting to depart for the WISE trip.

WISE Trip Equipment Shakedown

At our final WISE '07 Trip meeting on July 26 we conducted mandatory equipment shakedown inspections to ensure that all participants will BE PREPARED to have a great trip. From Class A Uniform to passport to 8 pairs of casual socks, everything was checked and approved by the trip chaperones.

In addition our group of 34 was broken into 5 chaperoned sub-groups and they each selected group names and cheers. They are: The A-Team, The Owls, Team America, The COSMOS and Team Freebird.

We depart at 6PM on July 28 from the Derby Train Station. Everyone is invited to come down and see us off. We hope to update this blog with scout diary entries and photos on a regular basis while on the trip.

English Exchange Scouts

Chris Green and Paul Smedley, members of the Medehamstede Explorer Scouts from Peterborough, England, were guests of Troop 3 for 3 weeks this summer. In additon to attending a week of summer camp with us at Ed Strang Scout Reservation they also were hosted by several Troop 3 families who provided them with American hospitality.

Many thanks to the Thompsons, Mahans, Poppas, Stankyes and Herdes for being terrific hosts and to Mrs. Thompson for coordinating the exchange hosts. Also, many thanks to Mr. Martin Hall who arranged  the exchange from Peterborough, and to Dr. Robert Feeney, a Troop 3 alumnus who supports our International Exchange Scout program.  Scouts can contact Chris at Green_508@hotmail.com and Paul at smeds@hotmail.co.uk   Our WISE trip scouts hope to visit with Chris and Paul when we visit the World Scout Jamboree.

WISE Trip update - Final meeting July 26

The WISE trip is finally here!

Our final meeting will take place Thursday, July 26, 7PM at the 2nd Congregational Church.
In addition to participating Scouts, at least one parent must be in attendance for this meeting.

Please email me your home emergency contact phone number so the phone tree can be assembled and distributed on Thursday.

All participants must wear their Class A uniforms to the meeting and bring all of the mandatory items on the attached check list. We will have an inspection of your items similar to the Jamboree and if anything is missing you will have to go out and get it that night so we can sign you off as having all of your mandatory items.

Plan to be at the Derby Train Station no later than 6PM on Saturday, July 28 for our departure. Friends and family are encouraged to come down and see us off.  We plan to provide regular updates on our adventure via this blog.

Be Prepared to have a Great Adventure.

Randy

WISE 07 Gear required list

Handed in by end of May:

* Copy of passport
* Copy of insurance card
* Copy of physical
* Parental consent form

Draft version Equipment check list  (label all clothes with your initials
using a permanent marker)

* Class A uniform (wearing) shirt, red troop neckerchief, neckerchief slide,
pants or shorts, knee socks (if shorts), belt, neat sneakers.
* Watch
* Passport
* Paper copy of Passport
* Second scout uniform shirt
* Merit badge sash & OA sash
* Blue blazer jacket
* Dress shirt
* Tie
* Gray slacks
* Shoes
* Dress socks
* Trip windbreaker
* Rain poncho or rain jacket (waterproof)
* Sweatshirt, sweater or hooded sweatshirt
* at least 8 pair underwear
* at least 8 pair casual socks
* at least 4 pair casual shorts
* at least 4 pair casual pants/jeans
* 2 troop t-shirts
* at least 8 casual t-shirts (scouting appropriate)
* dirty clothes bag
* bathing suit
* p.j. pants or gym shorts
* Carry on day pack - NO LIQUIDS OR KNIVES
* Suitcase - labeled with your name
* Personal hygiene kit in suitcase (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant,
shampoo, shaving supplies)
* Prescription medication
* Wallet and Spending money/ATM card/traveler's checks
* Your trip itinerary research information
* Water bottle
* Friendship gift (we will distribute on shake down night)
* Trip itinerary packet

Optional items you should also consider bringing (not required for
shakedown inspection): Camera, batteries, extra memory card, Notebook, pens,
money belt, travel pillow for bus, paperback book, hand sanitizers &
tissues, playing cards, travel games, UK outlet adapter, extra perscription
glasses, sunglasses, umbrella, family mail and email addresses for postcards
and emails, UK & Ireland travel books & maps, snack & water for trip to
airport,
Also patches, extra neckerchiefs & slides to trade at the World Jamboree and
when we meet English & Irish Scouts.