World Jamboree in 2011
Dear Scouts from Michigan and the Toledo, OH area,
Now that the National Jamboree has come and gone, it is time to think about the next grand adventure that awaits you. We would like to personally invite you to participate in a truly life-changing event and once in a lifetime opportunity-the 22nd World Scout Jamboree, to be held from July 27 to August 7, 2011 in Rinkaby, Sweden. Be a part of Simply Scouting, the 2011 World Scout Jamboree on the fields of Rinkaby, not far from the town of Kristianstad, in the province of Skane, southern Sweden. Hosted by the Swedish Guide and Scout Council, the 22nd World Scout Jamboree will run from July 27‐August 7, 2011.
The purpose of this event is to bring together Boy Scouts Venturers, leaders, and staff to share international friendship and adventure for personal growth and development.
With 40,000 Scouts expected to attend from six continents and more than 114 countries, it’s going to be a world‐class event, one you can be a part of if you start planning now.
At Rinkaby, you will get to live and learn with fellow Scouts and leaders from around the world. You’ll be housed in tents with your BSA contingent troop, but you’ll soon venture out to mingle with tens of thousands of Scouts from across the world for two weeks of activities and adventure. That’s right, a world fellowship exercise on an enormous scale! The jamboree site is near the coast on sandy ground surrounded by pine woods.
If you are a Boy Scout or Venturer who will be between the ages of 14 and 17 on July 27, 2011, you may be qualified for one of the coolest Scouting events you’ll ever attend. If you are in this age range, this will be the only World Jamboree that you will be able to attend as a Scout. We will fly from a gateway city in the Central Region in to Copenhagen and then be transported to the jamboree site. There is no pre-or post-jamboree tour planned, in order to keep the cost as low as possible. Cost is $3,525 plus a $10 nonrefundable application fee. Travel to and from the gateway cities is not covered.
We have often been asked, “How do you compare a World Jamboree and a National Jamboree?” You simply can’t. Much of a World Jamboree is meeting Scouts from other counties though a variety of activities, including exchanging guests for dinner. The Jamboree program includes a variety of area specific programs. These include subcamp activities where you will meet and interact with other members of the subcamp (cafes, campfire circles, shows, drop-in activity areas); Common Areas that contain displays and pavilions from countries across the world (“towne centres” and “main square”); Camp-in-camp where participants have the opportunity to take part in an overnight adventure in neighboring areas to learn how Swedish scouts camp with nature; Module activities: Quest, an area with individual and group challenges; Dream: a period of reflection and personal discovery; People: focus on identity and interaction with others; Earth: environmental activities, and the Global Development Village: personal progression and skills development. Lastly, no World Jamboree would be without nightly shows and arena events including the opening ceremony, the closing ceremony, and a ‘major’ event during the Jamboree. During the last World Scout Jamboree, many came to visit the Jamboree and mingle with the Scouts, including various heads of state from across the world! Sweden’s resources are such that there should be terrific event and venues.
As of now, there is only one troop for the State of Michigan and the Toledo, OH area. The deadline for signing up is fast approaching, so if this sounds like a trip that you want to be a part of, please consider applying.
The adult leadership for this troop have been chosen, and include Dr. Martin Burg (Scoutmaster) of Hudsonville, MI, Mr. Doug Hepfer (1st Assistant Scoutmaster) of Grandville, MI and Mr. Paul Beets (2nd Assistant Scoutmaster) of Farmington Hills, MI. We bring many years of adult leadership experience to the troop and are excited about getting this troop organized and going on a fabulous event. In addition to Scouts, we are interested in recruiting a 3rd assistant Scoutmaster, who must be 18-21 at the time of
Jamboree-if that fits you or a friend, have them contact us directly at the phone numbers or email below. For more information or to register go to the web site here.
We also have our own troop website for information and promotion click here.
If you have questions, please contact (1) Martin Burg at or by phone , (2) Paul Beets (at or (3) Doug Hepfer (at ). We would like to hear from you and also answer any questions that you may have, from how can I get registered to how can I raise funds to go! As we are closing in on the deadline to sign up, we encourage all who have received this letter to go out and find others who may be interested-a World Jamboree is not something that you should look beyond and should try to participate in if at all possible.
We plan to travel to various locations in our area to meet and begin to plan the events leading to the Jamboree, beginning this September. Our dates and locations for our initial meetings will be posted on the website (www.scoutingworldjamboree.com).