Twin Scouts are off to the next World Jamboree in the USA!

TWIN brothers, George and Will Lister, both scouts from 1st Broughton Gifford and Holt, have been selected to attend the next World Scout Jamboree, which will be held in West Virginia, USA in July 2019.

Both boys are intrepid, outdoor types who have been involved in Scouting at Broughton Gifford since joining Beavers when they were 6. Now aged 13, they have had the exciting opportunity to apply for the World Scout Jamboree, and are the first Scouts to be chosen from 1st Broughton Gifford and Holt since 1995.

World Scout Jamborees are held every fours years, giving Scouts the opportunity to be involved in incredible activities including white water rafting, high octane mountain biking and huge zip wires that bring together the world’s Scouts to promote peace and mutual understanding and to develop leadership and life skills. The next world event will be hosted in West Virginia, organised by the Scouts of North America (USA, Canada and Mexico) from July 22-August 2 2019.

Alison Candlin, mother of George and Will said, “The first stage was to fill out an application form, answering questions about their proudest Scouting moment, what they hope to get out of the Jamboree and what the Jamboree motto – ‘Unlock a new world’ meant to them. ‘Challenge’ and ‘adventure’ were words that featured heavily in both their applications. They have never been this far from home before, so it really is an adventure to a new world for them.

“Then, in the middle of October they were invited to attend a weekend selection camp at the Wiltshire Scout Centre in Potterne Wick, along with around 110 other hopeful Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Air Cadets and Sea Scouts. They were assessed on their teamwork and Scouting skills. They had a terrific weekend of team exercises, including a pioneering project to build a Jamboree gateway from wood, orienteering and a Crystal Maze-inspired challenge.

“45 Scouts were selected from that weekend to form the Wiltshire contingent and George and Will were beyond excited to find that they had both been chosen. Seven Scouts from our district, West Wiltshire, have been selected. 4,500 people will be going from the UK and a total of around 40,000 Scouts from around the world will be there.

“The boys are looking forward to the chance to meet and work with Scouts from countries all around the world and to the many new experiences that will bring them. However, they are apprehensive at the thought of going so far from home with a group of people they don’t know, and daunted by the prospect of raising the money to pay for it. However, the thrill of the adventure of going to another country and meeting Scouts from around the world – all without their parents cramping their style – outweighed their reservations.

“They have a lot of fundraising to do, as each Scout needs to raise around £4,000. This fee pays for their own flights and Jamboree costs, as well as helping to pay for a Scout from a developing nation to attend.

“They are getting busy making items out of wood and paracord that they can sell at craft markets, rolling up their sleeves to wash cars and help neighbours with odd jobs such as gardening. There are plans for some bigger events too, such as a 24 hour bike marathon.

“They would welcome the support of local businesses and organisations, or anyone with any ingenious fundraising ideas that might help them on their way.”

Look out for future events from George and Will as they begin their fundraising journey.

Above: George and Will Lister (right) with their letters confirming their place in the next World Scout Jamboree.