It was a busy few weeks for a contingent of Weyburn scouts. Allen and Kendry Klassen, as well as Dominic and Mathew Soles,  attended the 24th World Scout Jamboree.

The massive event was held Summit Bechtel Reserve, Mount Hope, West Virginia, USA. It was a busy few weeks for a contingent of Weyburn scouts. Allen and Kendry Klassen, as well as Dominic and Mathew Soles,  attended the 24th World Scout Jamboree. The massive event was held Summit Bechtel Reserve, Mount Hope, West Virginia, USA.

There were 40,000 student delegates and 10,000 adult volunteers. Allen Klassen spoke about the challenges of having so many people. "It was a difficult process of having a mass exodus of fifty thousand people."

The Jamboree was hosted by North America, the first time in 36 years. This was the first Jamboree in the United States since 1967. Summit Bechtel was developed for the Boy Scouts of America and construction finished in 2013. "It was 10,000 acres of fully developed land. There was a lot of money put into this," said Klassen.

Brothers Dominic and Mathew Soles had a one in a lifetime experience and shared some of their best memories. "Where there's a baby, there's a momma," Dominic Soles stated after sharing a story of finding a baby black bear on the edge of the grounds. His brother Mathew told of the inclusivity of the event, "there was a very large LGBT rally, it was quite an eye-opening experience." He also spoke about the multiple "talking points" with trained therapists, safe from harm personnel, and motivational speakers."

Lise Soles, the boy's mother, spoke to the experience of a parent who could not attend. "They did some live streaming at certain times so that you could catch it." She spoke about the spectacular show at the opening ceremonies, "I think I counted at least fifty drones that would light up and get sent into the sky. They spelled out "Welcome" in English, Spanish, and French. The drones also made a giant wolf head whose mouth would open and close." Lise also spoke about the large military presence surrounding the perimeter, comparing it to the Olympics, "gathering so many nations together for more than just athletics, is amazing."

Dominic also spoke about the use of technology and how each delegate was adorned with a transmitter woggle. They were able to program contact information into it and exchange their information with other scouts, by simply clicking them. All four of the scouts had the opportunity to trade different souvenirs from neckers to maple syrup. The Canadian representatives had a lot of fun with Canadian stereotypes. The scouts joked that their occupations included Professional Moose Rider, Major League Professional Polar Bear Wrestling, and a beaver tamer.

The group concluded by thanking a behind the scenes organizer, Kim Klassen. "She had two of her family get to go, she put in the lion's share of organizing, volunteering, making sure the money was in check, getting the payments in." Her husband Allen said, "without her, we would not have been there."

Scouts Canada is mainly volunteer run. Scouts Canada is now accepting registration for the upcoming year with a discounted registration fee available here.