The Boy Scout Motto and the Unprepared World Scout Jamboree
The Boy Scout motto is “Be Prepared!” But as 43,000 Scouts attending the World Scout Jamboree learned last week, the site and organizers at Saemangeum were anything but. The approximately 1,000-person USA contingent and the British contingent – the largest at over 4,000 attendees – pulled out last weekend after only a few days at the site, due to conditions ranging from oppressive heat to inadequate food supply and storage, to sanitation and inadequate medical care.
The causes of the extreme failures in preparation are sure to be studied in the weeks and months to come. The Korea Herald identified root causes such as joint planning across five chairpersons with no central authority, warnings that went unheeded, and misuse of the 117.1 billion won (about $89 million).
The Boy Scout slogan is “Do a Good Turn Daily!” And in the absence of strong preparation by the organizing hosts, numerous agencies and organizations stepped in, doing their good turn to salvage the World Scout Jamboree experience by taking care of the health, safety, comfort, and experience of attendees.
Support from the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Military
Lou Paulson, International Commissioner of the Boy Scouts of America, praised the support of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. The embassy provided various services, including security coordination for the closing ceremony, interface with the U.S. Department of Defense, and medical treatment.
The U.S. military presence in South Korea also played a crucial role in supporting the USA Contingent. Camp Humphreys, the U.S. Army Garrison, housed the American Scouts and volunteers for almost a week after they left the Jamboree site. They provided hot meals, security, and other services to ensure the well-being of the Scouts.
The Valuable Experience and Unity Among Scouts
Despite the disappointment and anger caused by the site conditions, Scouts from various countries made the most of their experience in South Korea. The U.K. Scout Organization and other organizations worked together to provide alternative activities and programs for the U.K. contingents. The scouts had the opportunity to visit Korean official sites, learn about the culture of Korea, and participate in various events.
The local Korean government, U.K. Foreign Office, and Seoul mayor played a significant role in creating these opportunities for the U.K. Scouts.
The organizers also arranged activities and tours for Scout contingents from around the world, including visits to water parks, professional baseball games, factories, and cultural shows. These experiences helped keep the spirits of the Scouts up and provided them with valuable skills and knowledge.
Appreciation for the Support and Unity
The support extended beyond the government and organizations. The Korean people showed great support and concern for the Scouts, ensuring that they stayed engaged and experienced the culture of Korea. Organizations, companies, and individuals donated supplies, underwrote costs, and provided medical assistance.
Parents and Scouts expressed their gratitude to the various organizations and individuals who stepped in to salvage their World Scout Jamboree experience. They wrote notes of thanks and appreciation to show their gratitude.
A Lifelong Scouting Experience
Despite the challenges faced at the World Scout Jamboree, Scout leaders and citizens appreciate the support provided by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. military. The dedication and assistance provided by these entities have made a significant impact on the well-being of the Scouts.
Overall, while the Jamboree did not go as planned, it provided an opportunity for Scouts to learn valuable skills, experience unity, and witness the power of organizations working together to solve problems.
