‘Anguillian Scouts off to the 21st World Scout Jamboree!’ My ears pricked up at the announcement over the radio. At a time when there is so much bad press about Anguillian Youth, it is good to hear such positive news.

Eager Scouts ready to tackle your odd jobs!

The Jamboree is an event held once every four years. This year is the 100th anniversary of scouting, founded in the UK by Lord Baden-Powell. The first Jamboree was held in 1920 in London and, give or take a (war) year, has been held ever since. Scouts of all nationalities gather in a host country for fun and friendship, to ‘find out about each others’ cultures and faiths, to share skills, take part in adventurous activities and tackle some of the biggest issues facing the world today.’ This year they ‘will make a lasting difference to the local communities and help to improve the quality of the local environment’ (quotes from: http://www.scouts.org.uk/2007/events/august/WSJ.html).

Another clean car on Anguilla!

I remember when our son, Thomas, received the news that he was to join the 1st Brussels British Scout Group contingent to the 19th World Scout Jamboree in Chile. He was one day over the lower age limit and was overjoyed when his scout leader told him that he had been selected to represent his group and his country. To get to that point he had worked hard to show that he was worthy of being sent to such an important and prestigious event.

What followed was a period of intense fundraising. I was the Chairperson of the Executive Committee and it was my job to see that funds were available to send the Scouts half way around the world for 12 days of activities and adventure, followed by five days of home hospitality with a scouting family in Brazil. My committee and I worked our socks off to raise half the money needed, while each family had to raise the other half themselves.
We held raffles, car boot sales, bingo sessions, football matches, firework nights and sponsored events. We involved the Beaver and Cub Scouts to help raise money and in this way raised the expectation and desire to go when they too reached the age to participate. Parents were roped in to help at every stage and the children themselves came up with a range of events to help the fundraising efforts, from washing cars to babysitting. Everyone was involved and all were excited.

Thomas went off to Chile and then stayed with a scout and his family in Brazil, coming back a young man. His adventures, which included helping to build a school in a remote Andean village, had matured him and he was much more self assured and confident on his return.

On Anguilla there are 150 scouts, both boys and girls, ranging in age from 8 to 18. The structure follows that of the UK scouting movement, of which Anguilla is a Branch Associate and has Cubs, Scouts and Ventures. All the leaders are volunteers, giving up their time for the benefit of the youngsters. There are groups all over the island; with the biggest being the Cub Scouts in The Valley.

Anguilla has sent scouts to the World Scout Jamborees in Thailand, Chile, Holland, Australia and Korea. The Scouting Association in the UK has usually helped with grants towards the considerable costs associated with going to the Jamboree and this year is no exception. However, as this year is such a special year, the Jamboree expecting to attract over 40,000 participants, the costs will be very high. The usual grant to Branch Associates will be somewhat less this year than in times past, covering the cost of the Jamboree itself for two scouts, but not the cost of transportation. This has led the Anguillian scouts to be more creative in their fundraising. Particularly as this year, being such an important year in scouting, the group wishes to send 9 scouts and a leader, rather than the usual few.
The group, whilst it would welcome direct sponsorship of a child to attend the Jamboree, would like to raise as much money as it can itself. The children are holding cake sales, a raffle and a concert to name just a few of its activities. They are also offering a ‘Bob a Job’ service to anyone who needs an odd job done, from yard cleaning to car washing. ‘Bob a Job’ was, for many years, a mainstay of the fund-raising in the UK for Cubs and Scouts. A ‘bob’ was slang for a shilling, which in the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s was a not inconsiderable sum to pay for an odd job performed by a young person; 20 shillings equaling Ł1.

The group needs to raise a minimum of $3,000 per person and they have until July to do it. I think that by then the island will be buzzing and many more people will be involved. I have already heard on the grapevine that citizens are offering jobs for the ‘Bob a Job’ service and there will certainly be a lot of very clean cars on Anguilla’s roads!
I know that those who eventually represent Anguilla in the UK will have the experience of a lifetime. To have represented their country at such a young age is no mean achievement and to be chosen to go will be recognition that they are worthy of the honour. I wish them well.

In the meantime, the Cub Scouts are looking forward to their Cuboree in Trinidad. This mini Jamboree for Caribbean Cubs is held once every three years and takes place in July. Cub Leaders wish to take 25 Cubs and are organizing fundraising events, including a Bingo and BBQ on 5 May.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child, offering a job for ‘Bob a Job’ or can offer any other fund raising assistance please call the Scout Commissioner, Othlyn Vanterpool, on 235 6104. If my son’s example is anything to go by, the Scouts will have a truly memorable experience!

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