MEMBERS of the 19th Argyll Scout group recently returned from inside the Arctic Circle where, with 9,000 others, they attended the world’s most northerly Scout and Guide jamboree.
The event, from July 1 to July 8, happened in Bodø, Norway. For the organisers it meant providing services and facilities for a temporary population roughly the size of Oban. This included toilets and showers, cafes and shops, an electronic cashless payment system and (sometimes) wifi.
The event provid ed a rare opportunity for the Lochgilphead group to meet up with Scouts and Guides from across the globe – there were representatives from every continent.
The attendees included 8,000 Norwegians and 1,000 international guests from countries including Nepal, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, the US and Canada.
The 13-strong team, including two leaders, six Explorers and five Scouts, camped with a Norwegian group which proved to be an invaluable help to the Argyll Scouts, providing help while planning the adventure, tents and camping equipment for the week and, perhaps most importantly, amazing meals from a very small field kitchen.