World Scout Jamboree 2007

Scouts from 159 countries around the world have been celebrating the Centenary of Scouting at the 21st World Scout Jamboree at Hylands Park in Chelmsford. The event ran from 27 July to 8 August 2007. Epping Forest District Council helped to play an important role in servicing this historic event with North Weald Airfield being the logistical hub providing the Check-in Centre, park and ride and food distribution centre.

Organisers had been working closely with both Epping Forest District Council and Chelmsford Borough Council, the owners of Hylands Park, for two years prior to the event which was tested in 2005 at the Eurojam event.

This year’s celebration marked the 100th anniversary of the first Scout camp held in 1907 at Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour by the Scouting Association founder Lord Robert Baden-Powell. Guests included Members of the Royal Family and Royalty from overseas.

The Jamboree was host to 32,000 scouts with 8,000 International Service Team (IST) members supporting the scouts who participated in a ten-day educational programme. The word Jamboree has now become synonymous with a large gathering of scouts, it is thought that Lord Robert Baden-Powell chose the name based on the common Swahili greeting jambo meaning hello. The word is also the American slang for ‘noisy gathering’.

The highlight of the Jamboree was ‘Scouting Sunrise’ on 1 August 2007 at 8am when the Scouts joined with 28 million Scouts from around the world to celebrate the dawn of a new Century of Scouting and collectively renewed their Promise - to be prepared and to do their best. The theme for the Scouting Sunrise ceremonies was ‘Reflect, Renew, Respond’.

Click on the links below for information and photos on:
• North Weald Airfield Check-in Centre
• North Weald Airfield Park and Ride
• North Weald Airfield Food Distribution Centre
• Gilwell Park
• Chairman Visits Jamboree

The Jamboree continues North Weald Airfields tradition of strong international links. A close bond exists with Norway, formed from May 1942 when Norwegian Squadrons spent two years flying from North Weald. A memorial was unveiled on 19 June 1952 by the Crown Princess of Norway, Princess Astrid which stands by the North Weald Airfield Museum. Epping Forest District Council now uses the former RAF Officers Mess, Norway House as temporary accommodation for homeless families.

In 1975 the Jamboree was held at Lillehammer in Norway with almost 16,000 scouts from 91 countries. Be prepared in Norwegian is ‘alltid beredt’.

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Councillor Mrs Diana Collins, Leader of Epping Forest District Council said: “This was the biggest world event in the scouting calendar and we were very pleased and proud to support the Jamboree. Visitors from 159 different countries were expected and did our best to make sure they were impressed. North Weald is a fantastic facility.”

Councillor Mrs Collins continued: “We had already tested the North Weald arrangements for the European Jamboree two years ago and the World event is another leap forward. After the success of the World Jamboree, North Weald has identified itself as a potentially important support facility for the London Olympics in 2012.”

Councillor Mrs Collins added: “I would like to thank the operators of North Weald Market, Hughmark International who have recognised the importance of this event and given us their full co-operation. Only one Saturday Market was cancelled and business returned to normal for Saturday 11 August.”

Lord Robert Baden-Powell wrote in 1937 “All people in all countries wish for peace, happiness and prosperity. It may take us time before that dream is realised, but this and other Jamborees are all steps towards that worthwhile end. Let us promote them with wholehearted energy.”

Link to 'Airfield Support for World Scout Event' press release

The theme for the 2007 events is:

2007 - One World One Promise