Thousands of Scouts gather at the 30th APR Scout Jamboree in Kirara-hama

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Tuesday 06 August 2013Thousands of Scouts gather at the 30th APR Scout Jamboree in Kirara-hama

The adventure is on for over 14,000 Scouts from 53 countries as the 30th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree/16th Nippon Jamboree is on-going in Kirara-hama, Yamaguchi, Japan. The regional jamboree started on 1st of August and will run until the 7th.

Adding colour to the opening ceremony was the presence of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Mr. Yamaguchi Prefectural Governor Shigetaro Yamamoto, and the Director-General of the Education Ministry Mr Yoshio Yamawaki, together with Regional Chairman Dr Chao Shou-Po, Regional Scout Committee member Wendel Avisado, Regional Director Mr J. Rizal C. Pangilinan, and other regional leaders.

On the second day the jamboree, participants were fully engaged in both on-site and off-site activities. At the Global Development Village, participants join workshops on global issues from six perspectives: peace, environment, health, human rights, development, and disaster mitigation. Activities are in collaboration with 16 NGOs and NPOs such as the World Food Programme, United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UNHABITAT), Plan Japan, among others.

Elizabeth Divina, Young correspondent from Indonesia said “Touch is one of the most powerful thing in this world, and that’s what we learned in GDV through its ‘six senses exhibit.’ Because touching could also mean expressing.”

Culture is another eye-catcher at the arena through music, dance, costumes and crafts of Japan and that of other countries. Participants are seen beating the Japanese drums while others eagerly await their turn. Others are also carefully making beads either for themselves or as a gift. Other activities like woodcutting and calligraphy are hit activities for the Scouts.

Nature is definitely a part of the adventure as participants tour the Yamaguchi countryside visiting 19 towns and cities. And for Hiroshima Peace Programme which aims to deepen appreciation of peace, Scout Correspondent Luis Henrique from Brazil said “Today we went to Hiroshima, a city that surpassed our expectations. There, we learned about the real damage that an atomic bomb can cause, and its aftereffects and the pain that many families had to suffer. It was very touching!”

In the world of Science, participants are enjoying assembling a model of the famous robot “Asimo.”

Another important part of the Jamboree is the Messengers of Peace (MoP) which runs a workshop engaging Scouts as Messengers of Peace.

Adding colour to the Jamboree was an interview with astronaut Soichi Noguchi done also by a young Scout inside the campsite on 4th August. Watch You tube link (http://youtu.be/KVyTMA_asAo)

The heavy rain on the weekend turned the camp into a muddy place, but activities went on. Some Rover Scouts volunteered to help and donated rubber gloves and masks.

This Regional Jamboree is a pre-Jamboree of the 23rd World Scout Jamboree to take place at the same campsite in 2015.

To get updated on what’s happening inside the Jamboree, the Scout Association of Japan has launched its official Facebook which, as of now, has more than 4,000 likes!

All photos are taken from the official Facebook of the jamboree.

Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/16nj30aprsj)

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