8th Basingstoke Scout Group

Despite heavy rain leading up to the event and significant impact on the site by the New Forest Show, 8th Basingstoke's Cubs and Scouts joined with Basingstoke Sea Scouts and 1st Popley Scouts at New Park Farm in the New Forest to celebrate 100 years of Scouting.

The Cubs and Scouts headed to the New Forest on Sunday 29th July for Hampshire's International Jamboree.  Cubs and Scouts from across the county were joined by visitors from as far away as Norway and Ghana for a week of activities and international friendship.

Monday and Tuesday saw the Cubs heading out for day trips to RAF Hendon and Longleat Safari Park while the Scouts remained on site to take part in activities including climbing, skiing, cooking and laser shooting.

At 8am on Wednesday 1st August, exactly 100 years after Robert Baden Powell started the first Scout camp on Brownsea Island, Hampshire's County Commissioner Dick Whittington blew a Kudu Horn to call all those at Hampshire 007 together at the main stage.  He then lead the camp in renewing the Scout Promise along with Scouts all across the world:

On my honour, I promise to do my best, to do my duty to God and to the Queen, to help other people and keep the Scout Law.

We were then joined by the Beavers for more activities and a carnival procession followed by the Beavers renewing their promise.

On Thursday the Cubs and Scouts remained on site to take part in further activites including a zip wire, games and orienteering.

On Friday morning the Scouts had an early start when they headed to Dorney Lake (the site of the London 2012 Olympic Rowing) to take part in a Dragon Boating event.  During the day Hampshire 007 organised the first ever 11 Dragon Boat race in this county.  The Scouts also earnt their Dragon Boating badge as part of the activity.

The Cubs remained at New Park for their closing ceremony.

In the evening, the Scouts were hosted by the county's Explorers at a Caribean beach party with music provided by the group's resident DJ (and SPL) Christian.

Saturday morning saw the Scouts gather back in the main arena for the closing ceremony and then it was time to return home.

Hampshire 007 was the second biggest Jamboree in the UK with approximately 4000 young people present for the week, exceeded only by the World Jamboree in Essex.  The event provided an unforgettable celebration of 100 years of Scouting and shows how Scouting will over come even the most severe of challenges.

8th Basingstoke now looks forward to the next 100 years.