End of Essex ‘08

As the Jamboree nears its finish participants and staff alike are reminiscing on the week gone by and planning how to stay in touch with new friends.

“I’ve been to Jamborees before but the focus on the environment bought a different element to this one,” said Mathew, 16 from Stealth Explorers.

Tim, 17 also from Stealth explained that one of their Jamboree highlights was visiting the Amur Tigers at Colchester zoo: “It was awesome to see the animal that we have adopted and been promoting awareness for this week.”

The Clacton based pair were lucky enough to be participants at the World Jamboree in 2007 and were pleasantly surprised when they discovered they were camping opposite some Nigerian Scouts who they met there a year ago.

“I was shocked to recognise the boy from Nigeria wearing our World Jamboree unit polo-shirt,” said Mathew, “Yes, it bought back a lot of memories from last year,” Tim added.

Attending Essex Jamboree once before in 2004 the boys knew what to expect this time round, despite this they enjoyed it as much and came knowing how to make the most of the opportunity to form international friendships.

“We’ve made good friends with people from Northern Island and Spain,” explained Mathew. He and Tim have already exchanged e-mail addresses with their new friends and said the internet is the easiest way for them to keep in touch.

They both expressed enthusiasm for getting involved in future Jamborees and said they have thoroughly enjoyed the organised activities and socialising this week.

Page updated by Julian