“Now obviously there was a lot of bad press regarding the
conditions, but I disagree with almost all of it. The slander of the
camp failed to mention truly how incredible it all was, not once
did it ever say the chances that scouting had ever give to
people like me, it did not mention the way the jamboree
experience turned me from an intimated introvert, to a social
young adult I am now.” AMcB.

Expeditions come in limitless guises. We aim to help individuals and small groups (including families) to go on expeditions anywhere in the world. They are required t o demonstrate that they will benefit from the grant by personal development, education, physical challenge and/or mental stimulation. I think these boys have done all of that!

Three teenagers from Ayrshire were awarded grants in 2022 to attend the World Scout Jambouree in South Korea in August 2023. It started with a selection process, and was followed by an enormous amount of preparation and fundraising. We were delighted to be able to help, but disappointed we were not able to attend their presentation in person, on their return. We have, however since received the following reports from them, and they make truly interesting reading.

World Scout Jamboree
My WSJ Experience by Alistair McBurnie
613 days. 8 training camps. 36 participants with 4 leaders. 1
jamboree.
This was the length between acceptance into a placement of
the world scout jamboree for unit 7, and our arrive home. The
world scout jamboree is one of the most, if not the, largest
organised camps worldwide, hundreds of nations with
thousands of scouts. And it is impossible to even begin to
describe the feeling and wording of being able to take part in an
event like this.
I have been a scout for 12 years, with hundreds of camps and
memories within those dozen years, and I would give and erase
every single one of them just to relive the jamboree again.
The world scout jamboree of 2023, within Korea, was by far the
best moments within my 17 years of life, starting off with 39
strangers that by the end felt closer then my own family.
Starting this, I was a terrified young boy at a selection camp
that was sick in the car at even the thought of having to
compete with 70-80 others for an opportunity like this that I felt I
did not deserve, then the acceptance email completely
changed my life, all fears doubts and worries I had ever had in
myself seemed to just vanish due to this chance I was giving.
Skipping to the jamboree itself, the start was the night before
the flights when we all had met to stay the night to prevent any
late coming or other emergencies, this was the beginning to
almost two solid days of travel before arriving at Incheon
international airport and instantly everything had changed.
Firstly, was the heat, solid 30 degrees instantly before we had
even stepped off only to be greeted by more international
scouts, the first time I had every met a foreign scout. Seeing
the difference in uniform, culture, manners, and language was
incredible, this start of the international adventure and direction
my life has adjusted to, this sole moment is now my motivationWorld Scout Jamboree
to explore as much as the world as I

to explore as much as the world as I can. Something I never
wanted before the jamboree.
And after possible the most incredible experiences of tourism I
will ever feel by seeing the capital of Korea, from its night
markets to its high-rise hotels. From speaking to the homeless
all the way to high level officials. I truly felt like I had experience
all I was able to, all within a week too. But now it was the
important part, all the fundraising, waiting, memories had built
up to this, arriving to our campsite to see the opening
ceremony.
The few hours of watching the ceremony will forever be been
burned into my mind as it felt like everything had paid off, the
waiting had ended and I had never felt more completed, I truly
felt like nothing could ever beat it.
Now obviously there was a lot of bad press regarding the
conditions, but I disagree with almost all of it. The slander of the
camp failed to mention truly how incredible it all was, not once
did it ever say the chances that scouting had ever give to
people like me, it did not mention the way the jamboree
experience turned me from an intimated introvert, to a social
young adulty I am now, it’s difficult to stay within the word limit
given to me here because I could write forever about how
beyond grateful I am for an experience like the jamboree as
well as how incredible thankful am from the support of yourself
for your donations that allowed an opportunity like this to
happen. Your funding has positively changed the life of the lads
you donated to forever, as none of us will ever forget an
experience like this or the endless support you have given us
that allowed memories like this to be made.
Thank you for this.

• Alistair McBurnie