Below you will find a (not so) brief description of our trip to Chile. (still adding pictures, links, and text)
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The trip to Chile actually started several years ago with deciding on whether to go or not. Once we decided that it would be a once in a lifetime event there was no holding us back. Except that is for getting the money together in time to go. Thanks to all those that supported our fund-raising efforts. This trip would not have been possible without you.
The World Scout Jamboree is the most important event in the life of the Scout Movement and is held once every four years in a different country. The aim of a World Scout Jamboree is to bring young people from a wide range of different countries for 10 days in the heart of nature. It is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for everyone to live an unforgettable experience and, at the same time, provide a shining example to the world of diversity, tolerance, and brotherhood. This time the Jamboree was held in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in the locality of San Francisco de Mostazal in Chile's Sixth Region. The estate being used is known as Picarquin, which means "the eagle sings" in Mapuche, and stretches over 3,000 hectares. The theme for the Jamboree is Building Peace Together.
The "Saskatchewan Patrol" that is, Canadian Contingent, Troop 2, Patrol B, consisted of Alana Morrissette from Regina, Damian Trites and Stuart Morphy from Saskatoon, Laura King from White Star, Brandon and Sean Arcand from Vonda, Ashley Turtle from Whitefox, Jason Hosler from Nipawin, Cameron and Dave Porter (leader) from Aberdeen. Three other youth from Saskatchewan went as participants of other patrols. There were five Canadian Troops, each with approximately 4 Leaders and 36 Youth as well as Contingent Staff.
Lyle Hosler from Nipawin, Adam Porter from Aberdeen, Jeannette Arcand from Vonda and two Rover aged youth from Regina went to the Jamboree as part of the International Service Team, (IST) which provided volunteer labour service for running the various programs, activities, and services required at the Jamboree. In total, only 250 Canadian Scouts, IST, and Administration staff attended the Jamboree.
We first met by mail, with one of the patrol members sending a letter to all of the others. Some replied and exchanged badges and pictures. From this correspondence it was decided to get together before the Jamboree. This was arranged as a day meeting in Saskatoon with bowling and lunch as an icebreaker, although some of the youth had met at previous Scout functions. The youth then went to participate in a few games at Scout Headquarters before some had to leave and get ready for the Youth Awards Banquet that evening.
Our next meeting was a weekend camp in Nipawin, arranged by Jason's father, Lyle. We met at the Scout hall unloaded our gear, setup and went out for some bowling. Now the work begins, as the camp is dedicated to preparing for the trip. Guest speakers have been invited to help us in all facets of the trip. Scouter Malcolm McWatters has come to show us his collection of badges, pins, neckerchiefs and other memorabilia. Two Scouters that have traveled to World Jamborees have been invited to tell us of their experiences and things they did to prepare. Audrey Zwack traveled to Korea in 1991 and Martin Lambert traveled to Holland in 1995. A Nipawin couple, Carl and Veronica Olson, have been invited to tell us about Chile. Veronica is a native of Chile and Carl met her during his travels there. They will be in Chile visiting at the same time we are there. A local travel agent has come to help us prepare for dealing with customs, checking through airports and other tips. A local photographer gave us many tips on cameras, film and photo-composition that we may have good pictures to remember our trip, and show our families, friends and sponsors. We also had some time to play a few games, some to help us with our Spanish lessons. Our trip would not have been as successful or as enjoyable without the help of these people and we can't thank them enough.
We left for Chile on the 22nd of Dec. Twenty-two hours later we were sitting in the airport in Santiago, Chile. We met other Scouts traveling to WJ and at every stop our numbers grew. After a restless time on the planes we had to clear customs once more before getting on the bus to our first stop, Colegio Verbo Divino, a boys' school that would host us for three days before we head to the Jamboree site. Since English is a required subject at the school, most of the students spoke very good English.
On Christmas Eve, we started the day with a tour of Santiago, which included a "picture with Santa". In Chile, all Santas have real whiskers. The Chilean Scouts showed us around town, stopping at many of the landmarks. After attending an evening mass held at the school's church, the youth had Christmas Eve dinner and a traditional family celebration in a host family's home. Approximately 95 per cent of the population of Chile is Catholic.
On Christmas day, the Scouts left Santiago and headed out by bus on a 90 minute ride which included passing through a 3 kilometre tunnel under the Andes coastal range, to spend the day on the Pacific beaches of Vina Del Mar at Renaca. The water was a bit cool, 10oC, but with the temperatures around 28oC that didn't keep us Canadians (who are used to a bit of cold) out of the water. We couldn't resist wading into the crashing, powerful surf. However, after a brief time in the waves, we were warned to stay closer to shore because of the undertow. Sunburns were common among us Lily White Canadians.
Up early on the 26th to get on a bus for the ride to site. Excitement levels are high as we near the gates and see, as Adam said, "the endless line of busses" carrying people from around the world, waving their flags, chanting and cheering while waiting to get clearances and directions. Welcoming us outside the main gate was a group of Canadian IST members sitting under a Canadian Flag hanging over the side walk.
We find our site, which was in Village II, Tikal, Sub-camp I, Mayas, gather our equipment from various depots and a couple of hours later it's starting to look like home (away from home). It took about four days to setup a tent city of 30,948 Scouts, Ventures, Leaders, International Service Team and staff from 157 countries and territories around the world. This city has its own phone, water, and sewer systems (which gave us a few troubles), a daily newspaper-printed in three languages, security staff on duty 24 hours a day, three supermarkets (grocery stores), several post-offices banks and restaurants. It also has numerous fruit stands (provided free), ice cream, pop and other vendors, as well as several churches and numerous activity areas. Much of the infrastructure has been installed over the last two years (the area was a cow pasture) and will remain in place for use by various organizations. The lineups at grocery stores, the money exchange and the souvenir store were something we got used to. We quickly learned to adapt to Chilean time, in their words things don't always happen when or as quickly as Canadians might like, but the people are so friendly you just can't get upset with them. We've learned a new word, mañana, which is Spanish for tomorrow. Just about anything you ask for at the souvenir store was promised, "mañana".
Opening ceremonies were conducted the evening of the 28th with most of the people on site in the central arena. An overhead balloon carried a camera that was to transmit the festivities by satellite around the world. Canadian Scouts had their knowledge of Spanish tested at the ceremony at which Eduardo Frei Fuiz-Tagle, President of the Republic of Chile opened the Jamboree. This was a rare public appearance for the President.
After a late night it was nice to sleep in a bit the next day as we have the morning off to prepare for our hike this afternoon. There are 18 hikes each rated in difficulty by their number, we are nine, Pular. Supper is provided, provided you can carry it up the hill. It's hot, over 30º C, dry (no substantial rain for over 18 months) and dusty. The trail is fairly steep, with occasional breaks for snacks, catching your breath and several activity stations on the way up. We spend the night at the top where there's not much even ground for your bedroll, but it's a nice clear night for sleeping under the stars. The next morning we were up at 5:30 and were back down the hill for breakfast by 8:30, cleanup and off to activities by 10:30.
The second day of regular program saw the youth participate in activities of their choice at Global Development Village. GDV was an area where the youth could participate in activities to suit their interests. Whether it was music making, acting, building things from radio control cars and other small electronic items, to assembling components of a weather station to polishing a mirror to be used in a 4" reflector telescope. Later in the week this work shop will have a 16" scope for some great night time viewing (Lyle Hosler works at this station, and thanks to him we have one of the 4" scopes in Aberdeen and he has one for his troop. After New Year's day we spend more time at the activities in the Village.
New Year's Eve, we have the day off except for the Gastronomical Delight. Each troop prepares a dish symbolic of their country. We serve pancakes and maple syrup. The syrup is a hit and when we run low on pancakes people even dip popcorn in it. It was interesting to "travel around the world" and sample all the different foods and talk to the different people just by walking around our sub-camp. Best two-hour lunch we ever had. Many spend the remainder of the day resting, trading badges, and shopping for souvenirs.
Later there's a New Year's party down at the arena. With a little dancing and a lot of excitement we ring in the new year. Some stay up till 3 and 4 am as that's when it's midnight back home. The music and dancing lasted all night.
The next morning after the church services we attend the Rally for Peace. Each person is to take a paper and write on it his or her message of peace. These papers are then put in a basket attached to a balloon and released to sail out carrying our messages of peace to the world.
Up early again for a bus ride to Guacarhue for our Day of Service. We travel to this small town where we will work for the community. Some are to help paint the wall on one of the buildings. They paint a WJ logo on one section and sign their names. The group I'm with help to clean up a park that has become overgrown. We pull the dead branches off the palm trees rake up the dead leaves and pile it all on a wagon to be hauled away. We are told only those with gloves should handle the debris directly as there may be scorpions and wasps hidden within. Groups that traveled to other places put up bus shelters, painted buildings, assembled and installed park benches among other things.
The Earth Which Provides For Us activity is a visit to a farm, factory, mining works or packaging plant. We are to take an active role as possible doing some of the same tasks as the workers. Unfortunately our trip to the fruit packaging plant goes awry when a wasp stings a youth from another group and we must return so he can be treated. We then continued on but not to the packing plant, but to a vineyard not far from the jamboree site. Chile is famous for it fine wines.
From the vineyard we travel to Rancagua for a country barbecue and Chilean folklore entertainment As it turned out there was not much entertainment and was mostly souvenir stands. In the evenings, the jamboree really came to life. Thousands of Scouts return from daytime activities to play, dance, sing and learn each other's cultures in their subcamps, Brazilian dancing, Tahitian guitar playing and the sweet sounds of steel drums from Trinidad filled the air.
Our last activity day is for the Tournament, which had separate activities to choose from. The military obstacle course was a popular choice and quite some time was spent in line waiting. Just about as popular were the knots and lashing, and the steel cars activities.
Closing ceremonies were held later that night. Again there is lots of excitement as we head down to the arena for the official goodbye. The World Jamboree Flag is turned over to a delegation from Thailand, for they host the next jamboree in 2003.
We have to pack up our campsite and get on the bus as the Canadian Contingent heads to Vina Del Mar. A Scout group at a Naval Base school hosts us. Over the next three days we are given a tour of Vina Del Mar including a naval frigate and a boat tour of the harbour. We also toured several small fishing villages and have more time to spend at the beach.
With only a few days left, its time to get those last minute souvenirs and figure out where you're going to pack all that stuff the for our flight home. A farewell dance is held on our last night. Getting up the final morning was difficult. Saying good-bye to our new Chilean friends and our fellow Canadians proved very difficult.
We left the school at 3:00 pm (noon in Saskatchewan). The airport was full of Jamboree participants from around the World. Our plane left at 11:30 pm for a thirteen hour flight to Los Angles. We had a 7 hour lay-over in Los Angles. Most of us spent the time to try to catch up on some sleep. We had more farewells as the Canadian contingent broke off into smaller and smaller groups as we head home. We flew on to Calgary and then to Saskatoon, arriving at 11:30 pm. We arrive home after three weeks in the sun, and its minus 25. Again, a 60 - 70 degree change in temperature. As one of the youth said as he stepped off the plane in Calgary (wearing shorts and tee shirt) "man, it's cold here". Well that isn't white sand blowing around out there.
This is only a brief overview of our time away and there are so many things I would like to include. All in all it was a great time, the youth were a good bunch to have around, and many friends were made (they are already talking of getting together again), but it's still nice to get back home (and its luxuries). Asked if I would go again, to Chile, yes. Only this time I would like to see some more of the tourist spots as well as one of the copper mines and one of the world's largest observatories is in northern Chile. To another World Jamboree, probably, the next in Thailand is at Christmas time in 2002-2003, and then comes the 100th Anniversary of Scouting Jamboree in England in 2007, who knows? It may take that long to raise the money. Wanna buy a chocolate bar or some popcorn?
We would like to thank all those that supported our trip, sponsors, colleagues, other leaders and scouts, federal and provincial officials, local businesses, and last and certainly by no means least our families and friends.
