Trip Registration

While of course there is no real replacement to participating in the information session in person, I will do my best to summarize the trip experience online for those of you who missed out.

First off the Haarlem Jamborette is an international Scout & Venturer Scout Jamboree that takes place every four years in Haarlem, the Netherlands (just outside of Amsterdam).   The Jamborette is a 10 day camp that includes top-notch activities both on-site and off-site.  In 2015, in addition to the incredible on-site adventures, we participated in trips to museums, theme parks, a science center, sailing, etc and had amazing hiking opportunities!  In addition to the regular program activities there is ALWAYS something on the go after the program is done!  Each sub-camp runs evening activities, there is an epic “Ultimate Frisbee” tournament (caution – Europeans are AMAZING at Ultimate Frisbee), and of course a party at the “Jambo Boulevard” every night (home of the “Mokkie”).  Curfew is 11pm, which gives youth over 5hrs of evening free time every night!  On the last weekend of camp there is a HUGE camp-wide party at the Jambo Boulevard that starts after supper and rages on past midnight – imagine 4,000 Scouts/Venturers and another 1,000+ Scouters from all over the world in a massive celebration of life.  It was honestly the best party I have ever been to 🙂

While the Jamborette feels like a typical Scout Camp in a lot of ways, there are also some perks that we are entirely not used to.  Running water for starters – including flush toilets!  For those that were at CJ’17, I’m sure you’ll appreciate knowing that we are on city water so the showers never run out!  All our food is provided in a daily “food box” that we pick up every afternoon – the food is delicious!  We have access to a walk-in fridge for cold food storage in case our coolers fill up.  Our site is huge – roughly half the size of the gym at the church!  We can order as many free pioneering poles (limbed trees) that we want so we can build some pretty epic shelters (a Troop for the UK built a three story structure – a Troop from Germany built a hot tub – seriously!).  Did I mention there there is site-wide free wifi?

Here is a compilation video from the 2015 Haarlem Jamborette to give you an idea of what you are in for:

And a slideshow of our Scouts & Venturer Scouts experiences at the 2015 Haarlem Jamborette: 4th Grand Falls – Experience at the 2015 Haarlem Jamborette

Here is our schedule from the 2015 Haarlem Jamborette:

And don’t forget to check out the official 2019 Haarlem Jamborette website! => http://www.haarlemjamborette.nl/

Eligibility for Youth Participants

  • Only youth who meet the eligibility requirements set out by the Trip Planning Team will be eligible to attend our European Adventure
  • The requirements exist to ensure all participants have the attitude, skills, maturity and self-discipline to attend the event safely and to ensure that their behaviour will not ruin the experience for other participants
  • Youth have over 18 MONTHS to fulfil the requirements and will be given AMPLE opportunities to receive the training they require through the regular Scouting program and through special “Team Europe” events along the way.
  • Some youth though will likely need special attention from parents in order to meet the requirements
  • Remember, this is a big trip, and simply may not be suitable for certain youth

Please review the full list of trip requirements here => http://gfwscouting.ca/adventure/?p=89

While we’re “in the neighbourhood”, we plan to make the most of our flight to Europe with an epic pre-camp adventure!  Seeing as Scouting is youth-led, we left it up to our youth to dream up our pre-camp adventures.  They did not disappoint!

The pre-trip options include:

  • Ireland & Northern Ireland (details): We would be landing in Dublin and spending three days in Ireland staying with Irish Scout Troops.  In addition to exploring Dublin we would be making day trips accross Ireland to some exciting and wonderful attractions.  After Dublin we’d travel by train to Belfast for three days in Northern Ireland.  There is a LOT to do in Belfast, but we’d still make some time for some travel around Northern Ireland.  From Belfast we’d fly to Amsterdam to begin our adventure at the Haarlem Jamborette.
  • England & Belgium (details): We would fly in to London England and stay four nights at the adventure camp in Gillwell Park.  Gillwell Park is famous for being the original headquarters for the World Organization of the Scouting Movement, and also of course the home of Lord Baden-Powell.  Using Gillwell Park as our base of operations we would explore the incredible sights and attractions of London, England as well as take a day trip to Brown Sea Island.  Brown Sea Island was the location of the first ever Scout camp – the camp that served as the inspiration to the creation of the Scouting Movement.  After our time in England we’d take the ferry to Dunkirk, France so we could really appreciate the enormity of what transpired on those beaches in the early days of WWII.  From Dunkirk we would take the train to Ghent and spend two nights at a Belgian Scout Camp.  In addition to touring Ghent we would take a day trip to Ypres to take in the Menin Gate Ceremony.  We had the privledge of participating in the ceremony in 2015, and it was one of the most moving parts of the trip.  Finally we would take the train to Amsterdam and begin our 10 day experience at the Haarlem Jamborette.
  • Switzerland (details): Our Switzerland pre-trip actually begins in Rome, Italy.  We would plan to arrive as early as possible and “tour Rome in a day”!  A highlight will be a tour of Vatican City, which by all accounts features some of the most stunning architecture and art on the planet.  For many of our members there is also a strong spiritual component to visiting the Vatican, but regardless of religion or lack thereof it is a must see!  The Collesseum is also high on our list of must see things in Rome!  After a whirlwind day in Rome we would board the night train bound for Kandersteg, Switzerland.  Kandersteg is the fulfillment of Lord Baden-Powell’s dream of a”permenant World Jamboree” as Scouts from around the world visit Kandersteg all year long and get to participate in jamboree style activities and events.  With Kandersteg as our base camp we will be able to explore the many, many attractions of Switzerland and neighbouring countries, or just soak in all the excitement that Kandersteg has to offer on its own.  The options are nearly endless!  After Kandersteg we would be taking the train to Germany where youth will have the option of either spending the day at Europa Park (basically Germany’s answer to Disney World) or Frankfurt (one of the best cities in Germany).  Finally we would hop on the night train and try to get a bit of rest before arriving in Amsterdam to begin the Haarlem Jamborette.
  • Backpacking Europe (details) (likely only appropriate for ages 16+ at the time of the trip): We would travel with Team Switzerland to Kandersteg, but after a couple nights in Kandersteg we would board a train with our Eurorail Global pass and begin the trip to the Haarlem Jamborette the VERY long way!  The goal would be to visit as many countries as we can on the way to the Netherlands.  There will be no hotels, just some sleeping in trains, eating new and interesting food in new and interesting countries, and dreaming of a REAL shower & bed!  This is NOT the trip for everyone, but for some select youth this would truly be the ultimate adventure!

Finances & Fundraising

  • The intent is to ensure this trip is less than or equal to the cost of the 2019 World Jamboree
  • Maximum budget is $3,850/youth, but our goal is to keep it around $3,200.
  • Some pre-trips may cost more than others based on the “extras” that the kids decide on
  • Regular deposits will be required roughly every second month at a cost of around $500/deposit. Deposits are non-refundable.
  • Fundraising can cover ALL of your deposits! In addition, you can continue to fundraise until Aug 31, 2019 and use any surplus to get a refund for any money you have paid out of pocket!
  • NO YOUTH IS LEFT BEHIND!
  • It is our commitment to do our best to ensure that no youth that truly does their best to raise the money will be left behind for financial reasons. We are a team, and as a team we plan to make it to Europe!
  • Remember, FUNDRAISING WORKS! A good portion of the youth that are eligible for this trip have already raised WELL OVER what they need for the first deposit!

Scouters

  • We are aiming to send a ratio of one Scouter for every four youth, which is double the normal ratio for Scouts. Number may increase based on what the youth plan for their pre-trip.  The Haarlem Jamborette would prefer us to keep a ratio of 1:6 at a maximum (they would prefer 1:8), so we are already pushing it with 1:4.  As a result we will likely not be able to accommodate extra adults.  There is a good possibility that they will allow for extra YOUTH Scouters though (Vents or Rovers 16+ registered as Troop Scouters)
  • Scouters that are interested in attending will be interviewed by the Expedition Leadership Team (ELT). The ELT will be made up of the youth leaders for the trip and two Scouters.
  • Scouters that attend will also have to meet requirements that will be set out by the Expedition Leadership Team.
  • Only registered Scouters will be able to attend the trip – unfortunately we cannot accommodate parent volunteers
  • Only Scouters selected by the Expedition Leadership Team will be able to attend the trip. We will not be taking along additional Scouters even if they pay their own way unless an exception is made by the Expedition Leadership Team (unlikely).

Closing Thoughts

  • Any youth who truly does their best and who is actively supported in their efforts by their parents should be able to meet all the requirements. You will be amazed how fast your youth will grow in the Scout program!
  • I cannot overstate how much of a life changing experience attending an international event this this will be. I know it’s hard to think of your youth being away for so long, but they will THANK YOU for this experience for the rest of their lives!
  • We are very, very good at running these trips! This will be our fifth major trip and our second trip to Europe. We have support systems in place and have made great friends and connections in the Netherlands.  We are ready for this adventure, and will make sure that your youth is ready as well 🙂

What Happens Next?

  • REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23RD!
  • May be possible to register later on, but availability is not assured
  • A registration invitation has been printed off for every eligible youth.  You can pick up your form at a regular Cub Scout, Scout or Venturer Scout meeting.  Please complete it and return by February 23, 2018.  If you can’t get me the physical form by the 23rd, I at least need the information off of it (including pre-trip selection).  
  • A $500 deposit is due on registration.  This deposit can be paid through existing fundraising if available. You can check your current fundraising at gfwscouting.ca/aa or by asking your section lead.  Remember, our policy on finances, so if you are having trouble please let us know!
  • First Team Europe meeting will be early March. We plan to offer at least one Europe related event per month to help everyone get the most out of this incredible experience!
  • Tentative Timeline for Youth Leaders & Expedition Scouters (details on the selection process):
    • Feb 20th, 2018: Announce the “Selection Committee” for our Expedition Leadership Team.  Selection Committee would meet within the next week to decide on what skills & experience we will be looking for in our Expedition Leaders
    • Feb 27 & 28, 2018: All participants will be asked to rank youth that they feel would make good Expedition Leaders by secret ballot.  Youth will also be asked at this time if they are interested in running for a Leadership position.  Interviews with the selection committee will start ASAP.
    • Mar 20th, 2018: Hoping to able to announce the Expedition Leadership Team.  The New ELT will meet within two weeks to pick the Lead Expedition Scouter, to set up requirements for Scouters and what skills & experience we will be looking for in our Expedition Scouters.  Once the requirements are established, Scouters will be asked to put their names forward if they are interested in attending the trip as an Expedition Scouter.  Interviews to begin ASAP.
    • Mar 20th, 2018: All participants will be asked to rank Scouters that they feel would make good Expedition Scouters by secret ballot.
    • May 1, 2018: Hoping to be able to announce our Expedition Scouters 🙂

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