Lyme Regis Sea Scouts trip to jamboree in South Korea

The News reported last week how Charmouth scouts managed to make the most of a trip to the World Scout Jamboree despite heat safety problems.

Now Josh Dean, 16, and Thea Hodges, 15, from Powder Monkeys Explorer Sea Scout Unit in Lyme Regis - part of 1st Lym Valley Scouts - have told of their amazing experience on their near three-week adventure.

As they had to leave the site early, a new programme of activities was devised by volunteers to make the most of their time there.

The pair, who raised more than £4,000 to make the journey, attended the jamboree with Unit 77 - The Rockpool Hermits - as part of the UK contingent - numbering 4,500 young people and adult volunteers.

They started off by exploring the capital city, Seoul, visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Korean War Memorial and Museum.

They visited the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, one of the main royal palaces in Korea

Being in the middle of a heatwave, they managed to find the opportunity to cool off at Caribbean Bay, a water park. There was also the opportunity to enjoy some local food, making the most of the city's various restaurants.

Thea with other members of her Patrol in a restaurant in Seoul

They also visited the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) - the strip of land that acts as a buffer between North Korea and South Korea. They learned more about why exists and the background of conflict in Korea; they left behind ribbons, symbolising the hope for peace and prosperity in Korea.

Arriving at the site in time for the start of the World Scout Jamboree - Josh, Thea, and the rest of their unit quickly got to work putting their campsite together.

“We ended up erecting tents on pallets” said Josh. “The ground wasn’t brilliant”.

However, things got very competitive quite quickly: “We decided we wanted to build the tallest flagpole on camp” he said. “One of my favourite memories is seeing it from miles around and being so proud of our unit”.

They both attended the opening ceremony, which celebrated the start of the jamboree and Thea said: “My best memory was talking to people before the opening ceremony and hearing the chants and songs of their country that they sang together while we walked.

“This was my first moment of connection with scouts from around the world.”

The ceremony featured speeches by the president of South Korea, and the Chief Scout, Bear Grylls, followed by a concert and drone show celebrating the history of the jamboree.

Unit 77 walking to the opening ceremony, against the backdrop of the sunset at the Jamboree site

One of the big features of the event is meeting young people and volunteers from all over the world, with 158 nationalities in attendance. Each country has its own unique scout scarves and other cultural items.

Thea added: "For me, the best thing about the whole experience was when we began meeting scouts from other countries and there was immediate recognition and connection between us. It was really interesting learning how different and yet similar we were to each other.”

Whilst they had planned to spend significant time there, things were not going to plan.

Thea said: “The worst thing about the experience was that the activities we could do while in Saemangeum (the Jamboree site) were limited by the weather and conditions onsite.”

Due to the significant challenges faced by the UK contingent, amid criticism of the poor facilities in the extreme heat and bad management of the jamboree, they returned to Seoul for safety reasons.

Josh said: “When we were told we were leaving it was devastating, it only dawned on us then how big this would be. We were amongst the first to leave - when we and the rest of the UK contingent arrived back in Seoul at the hotel, we were met by camera crews and photographers, even the Deputy British Ambassador was there to welcome us - we never expected it to happen how it did.”

Thea added: “I did not realise the impact of the jamboree on Korea until I returned to Seoul after camping in Saemangeum and was being regularly stopped in the street by Korean people. Often, they apologised to us about the conditions in Saemangeum and occasionally, they even gave us gifts.”

The generosity of the South Korean people was on display when a local football team had invited the British visitors to watch a football match, with many enjoying the opportunity to unwind.

Josh, Thea, and the rest of Unit 77 at the football match, unwinding after an intense few days at the jamboree site

The pair also went to see a taekwondo musical; celebrated culture day with thousands of other scouts, visited the Lotte World theme park, experienced the Myeongdong Night Market, visited Gangnam district in Seoul, went in the Cheonggyecheon Stream, and Josh even had the chance to visit the LG Science Park to see South Korea’s well known industrial complex.

The closing ceremony was moved to a football stadium in Seoul following a typhoon forcing the rest of the jamboree participants to leave site. They joined the 43,000 other participants and volunteers for one final time - that evening they received an apology from the South Korean Prime Minister for the conditions at the jamboree site, and then enjoyed a three-hour K-pop concert with fireworks at the end.

Josh said of the trip: “It was a totally different experience to the one we expected but we have made some great friends and am looking forward to future adventures with them.”

Scout leader Josh Yelland said: “We couldn’t be prouder of Josh and Thea. Despite all the challenges thrown at them in their time in South Korea they not only made the most of it, but made a real success of the trip in the face of disaster.

“We’re really pleased our members get to have international trips and life changing experiences - and we’re sure this won’t be forgotten about for a long time to come.”

Josh with other members of Unit 77 out and about in Seoul