Gearing up for the Jamboree

Today I had the opportunity to address the amazing international team of adults who will be working to support the participants at this year's World Scout Jamboree in Sweden.   They arrived at the site today, having travelled from all over the world - and have paid for the privilege of working extraordinarily hard for the next couple of weeks.

"Well, this is exciting, isn’t it?    Like you, I’ve been counting down the days.   And now we’re here, in Rinkaby.  And the 22^nd World Scout Jamboree will begin in just a few very short hours.

I’m excited.   And I’m also a little bit nervous.    I feel that way for three reasons.

The first is because of the time.    World Scout Jamborees come around only every four years.   But each time they do, they change the lives of everyone involved with them.   Our lives will be changed by what happens here between now and the 8^th August.    And in a world where this is still such conflict, trouble and threat, the opportunity to bring more than 38,000 people together, to demonstrate how all the nations of the world can live in peace and harmony; well, that’s a great message for humanity.

The second reason I’m excited and nervous is because of the people we’re all here to serve.   The Scouts.    We are privileged people.   For the next couple of weeks, we are going to be working to support the next generation of teachers, engineers, entrepreneurs, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, journalists, politicians – This is the generation that has the opportunity to change the world for the better – a generation of 21^st Century leaders of society – Put very simply, these Scouts are going to put right some of the mistakes that our generation has made.    They deserve the very best.   And it is our job to make sure that, whatever it is that we are doing as a job here, every participant has the time of their life.   It’s our job, our responsibility, our duty, to search out ways in which we can make each person’s Jamboree experience special – by doing something extra, going the extra mile, providing extraordinary service.

The third reason for me being excited and nervous is because of you.   Excited because I know that here, today, we have the capacity to create an experience for young people that is truly world class.  Nervous, because, having worked on a number of World Jamborees, I know that from now until the 8^th August, you are going to get increasingly exhausted - physically, spiritually and emotionally.    My advice to you is simple.    When you are ‘on duty’ - whatever it is you are meant to be doing - do your job with a smile, a desire to deliver 150% and an expectation that you can deal with any problem that might come your way.   But when you are off duty, take time to rest, to explore the Jamboree, to take advantage of the adult programme, to make friends and to have a real Jamboree experience.   You will then be able to start your next day of work with the same creativity and joy that you feel now.

The 22^nd World Scout Jamboree is going to be, is already, an extraordinary experience.   You, I, we – have the chance to make that experience unique for every single Scout.   We’re changing the world today, with a small step forward.   And tomorrow.   And the next day.   Because we are the staff of the 22^nd World Scout Jamboree."