Kent International Jamboree (Days 1, 2, and 2.5)

Time for another brief update, this one from KIJ! We made it here (where ever exactly here is) on Thursday afternoon and went to the task of setting up camp - among the 2,500 other campers. We are packed in like sardines - and what happens in other camps most certainly doesn't stay in other camps. The grand parade of Scouts was early in the evening, and we ended marching down sandwiched between a group of Scouts (guys and girls) from Dublin, Ireland and another from somewhere here in Kent. They had an opening ceremony with all the scouts crowded around a stage and had a variety of bands and then a few brief (Whew!) welcoming speeches.




Lights out is at 11:00, but, at least the first night several of the other campers jabbered well into the night and then early (e.g. 4:30) morning. I'm pleased to say our guys were actually in bed and non-chatty...unusual I know.

Yesterday (Friday) was our designated "off-site" day, we were scheduled to visit Brighton, but apparently because of Gay Pride event we were diverted to....ta dah...London. Oh well, we got to knock off a couple of other things we didn't get done before: the Natural History Museum (which was a big hit for all) and the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (which was a lot of pomp and circumstance combined with lots of other tourists - but we did get a lot of through-the-crowd glimpses at the uniformed guards and marching band). The coach (bus) ride back to KIJ was unexpected long due to an accident ahead of us - so we got to spend 2.5 hours on a 1 hour bus ride. Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention we have had a few diplomatic bumps in melding our American-style camping, with two differing British-style camping (all this with in our little blended camp - but we're working through it.



So, after a late dinner the boys explored around doing a few of the activities which were still open (games and such) and some of the older guys (along with a few of the British counter parts) went to a "James Bond" disco in the evening, while this real older guy found an on-site pub (at a Scouting camp?) and tired a couple of English ales. It also gave me a chance to "chat up" a lot of leaders from around the U.K. and elsewhere (Ireland, Chatham, London, France, Calgary, Nigeria, etc.). Really a great place to network of sort - the leaders were very relaxed, and I don't mean that with a wink - just away from the herding of the Scouts.

Today (Sat.) is also an off-site day, but it is our "Water Activities" day. Along with our British host scouts, we were divided up into two groups: one going power boating and sailing, the other going rafting, canoeing, and wind surfing. Paul Sillibourne and I have stayed back in camp, he to do some administration work and shopping and I to help with the archery course (from which I'm on lunch...and hungry).

More to come when I hear back from the troops and can get web access.