This summer I went to the 21st World Scout Jamboree at Hylands Park in Essex. This year is Centenary Year for us Scouts and the Jamboree celebrated this big style. 40,000 people were in camp and a further 42,000 came as day visitors.
I went as a member of the International Service Team - 8000 scouts aged over 18 who go to the Jamboree to work. I was working on the design and build team, which was responsible for the build and take down of the Jamboree site. During the Jamboree, however, we were responsible for the flags, banners, monuments and signposts around the site. The main job was to raise and lower the 160 nation flags and the World Scout Flag each day.
The most memorable experience for me was Sunrise Day on the 1st August - when the World Organisation of Scout Movements celebrated the Centenary. We held flag break at sunrise, timing it to ensure that the World Flag was raised at local sunrise - 5.17am. For me, this was something really special and a great honour to be part of.