SCOUTS from Holsworthy have spent an ‘amazing’ three weeks in Japan this summer.
Unit 22 is a group of young people from Devon Scouts and South West Guides who attended the World Scout Jamboree.
The mammoth journey continued from Heathrow via Vienna and on to Narita Airport in Japan, then jumping straight on to a coach arriving at Nagano at 3pm in the afternoon on the Sunday.
There was a quick welcoming ceremony before going off to live with HoHo for two days. They experienced Japanese schools, and food, visited temples and the Winter Olympics games village.
They then travelled by the bullet train through Japan to Yamaguchi Prefecture and their home for the next 12 days — the World Scout Jamboree.
Abigail said: “The nights were hot and the days hotter still. We made the most of the daylight waking up early, collecting our breakfast and lunch ingredients from the hub and preparing ourselves for the day ahead. Hiroshima was one of the highlights of our trip.
“The A Bomb building was very moving to see, it brought home the reality of what had happened in Hiroshima. The gardens were very peaceful, you did not realise you were in the middle of a city.”
The Japanese prime minister, Prince Regent, a Red Bull pilot and an astronaut were all guests at the Jamboree and spoke to the participants at the opening, closing and international ceremonies. There were also Japanese pop groups and Taiko Drummers.
Wayne Bulpitt, the chief commissioner of UK Scouting, had breakfast on their camp, and Hannah Kentish, the UK youth commissioner had her photo taken with Dave the Duck — their 6ft mascot — and in the ‘Selfie Frame’.
They enjoyed tea with Japanese Scouts. The Japanese prepared a very tasty and enjoyable meal of Chirashi Sushi and Japanese Clear Soup. Games and singing of songs followed.
Kirstie said: “The view across the campsite was amazing, all you could see all around were flags from different nationalities waving in the breeze, and in the distance mountains. The days were busy with varied activities with an emphasis on learning in a fun way and mixing with Scouts from other countries.”
For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week’s edition of the Post.