Jamboree Summer with Stamford and Bourne District

Margaret and Tony Everitt have had a busy few weeks, ’lending a hand’ to two International Jamborees:

27th July departed from Bourne at 10.30 heading to Wareham, Dorset and ‘Goose’ where they finally arrived around 18.30 after various adventures….. even positioning the caravan in the sloping carpark was no mean feat.

Sunday, after registration and setting up Encaustic Workshop,  a day of rest…..then:-

Activities ran from Monday to Friday over a period of six hours every day. Goose, though a small camp, had 1000 young people from various parts of the world - but mostly UK.

Water Activities at Goose comprised of Sailboarding, 4 pedelo’s and a raft on a rope….. No sailing! Of course that meant Margaret had a very reluctant, but very able assistant, to help with delivering Encaustic Art Activity by working as a team (Tony kept out of Margaret’s way and vice versa….).

Weather wise it was very hot on some days – really too hot to work, but they managed.

Friday activities drew to a close at 16.30, and finally (after a struggle) the jacked up caravan was released, departing from Dorset at approx. 19.00 up the M3 to get back to Bourne well after midnight.

Margaret –“Despite all the hic-cups we had a great week, made many friends and promised to keep in touch.”

After a hectic clean, equipment restock, repack; they were off again on the 9th August to join in with Norjam  -a mere 78 mile trip which once again took longer than expected! Finally arriving at Norjam site at 13.45 and from time of arrival it was “go go go” right up to 16.00 Friday 16th …..

Unlike Goose an assistant was provided for Encaustic Workshop , changing over after sessions. which meant each am and pm session helper were given very quick lesson in encaustic art before having to teach the participants  (it took Margaret six months). Everyone, participants and helpers alike had great fun, and in total 2000 A6 art cards were used.

Tony joined the w/activities sailing team, sailing at Wroxham, or at least they would have done had it not been for the very strong winds. It looked like he was out of luck for this camp as well as the first, but by Friday all was well  the wind had dropped to manageable.

Other District SASU members were helping at Norjam, but they didn’t meet up as there were two different staff camp sites, and no-one knew where others camped until the last day.  Turned out they were just two caravans away from Margaret and Tony!. Perhaps a case of boats passing in the night and never the twain should meet….

Again despite all the hiccups and cool wet weather, plus medical issues etc’ they had a pleasant time at Norjam meeting up with old friends from Norjam 2006, and making new ones.

Margaret :- “Every time I visit Norfolk it rains, 2014 has been no exception! After Norjam we travelled to Cromer for a few days of chilling out before returning to Bourne on 22nd August where Tony finally got a sail - he had a sail booking at Whitewater  …...”.

Their 2014 travels are not quite over as Encaustic  workshop is booked in for Gilwell Reunion 5/6/7th September, and then next year Devon County Scout jamboree  in July 2015 – showing adults how to organise and run an Encaustic Workshop for Scouts.