Rinkaby, Sweden: On Wednesday, 28 July, 2011, 39.000 Scouts from all over the world gathered at the 22nd World Scout Jamboree being held at Rinkaby near Kristianstad, in southern Sweden. Volunteer staff has been preparing the site for several weeks, with a full complement of ten thousand Scout volunteers from every continent. 
 
The host for the Jamboree, the Guide and Scout Council of Sweden, has selected a theme of "Simply Scouting." Participants experience traditional scouting activities in a 10 day program such as pioneering (building with logs and rope) as well as experiencing the Jamboree with new media such as social networking. The camp program is based on three main concepts: meetings, nature and solidarity.  
 
The World Scout Jamboree is the premier scouting event in the scouting movement and takes place every four years. The event can be compared to the Olympic Games given the number of participants, the significance of the event to worldwide Scouting and the massive preparation necessary to make such a huge event go smoothly. This is the biggest youth event ever held in Sweden, both for the number of youth in attendance and the number of participating countries. 
 
Up to 1500 of the volunteers have taken more than a month to build the camp. The remainder of the 10,000 volunteers necessary to make the camp work arrived 25 July, 2011. With the arrival of the participants 27 July, from about 150 countries, the Jamboree takes on the character of a sizeable city with all the facilities in place. However, the best way to describe the event is a massive celebration for two weeks enjoying the fun and the values of Scouting. 
 
Setting the tone for the event is an opening show on 28 July which is a celebration of the gathering and a chance for the scouts of the world to experience the solidarity, friendship and fun that has been the hallmark of the scouting movement for over 100 years. 
 
Many of the Scouts had the opportunity to participate in Home Hospitality in advance of the Jamboree. The Scouts, from all parts of the world, stayed with Scandinavian Scouts and experienced Scandinavian culture in Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway. The hospitality also gave the Scandinavian Scouts and opportunity to get to know Scouts and their cultures from the rest of the world. Home Hospitality took place from 24 to 27 July, with continuing Hospitality from 7 to 10 August.  
 
The excitement at the Jamboree is building as the Scouts develop relationships with Scouts from all over the world. The next two weeks are going to be the most exciting, fun and rewarding time in the lives of many of these young people who will take back to their home countries and excitement for scouting and a greater understanding of what it means to be part of this world wide movement.
 
Objavio: Dampas