43,000 young Scouts gather at Saemangeum for World Jamboree
Scouts participating in the 25th World Scout Jamboree in Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province, wave to reporters, Tuesday, when the quadrennial event began its 12-day run. Newsis
Largest international youth camp to continue until Aug. 12
By Jun Ji-hye
The 25th World Scout Jamboree kicked off on Tuesday on reclaimed land at Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province, bringing together over 43,000 young Scouts from 159 countries around the world.
The World Jamboree, which is held every four years, will continue through Aug. 12 at the 8.84-square-kilometer campsite on the country's west coast.
Organized by the World Organization of the Scout Movement, the event aims to offer a venue for young people from around the world to learn about each other's cultures and build friendships through outdoor camping and various cultural activities.
Korea was chosen to host the 25th edition at the 41st World Scout Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, in August 2017.
This is the second Jamboree being held in Korea. The first one took place in Goseong, Gangwon Province, in 1991. Korea has become the sixth country in the world to host the Jamboree more than once.
Scouts participating in the 25th World Scout Jamboree pitch a tent in Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province, Monday, one day before the kickoff of the quadrennial event. Newsis
The Organizing Committee for the 25th World Scout Jamboree-2023 Saemangeum said a total of 174 on-site and off-site programs in 57 categories will be offered during the event under the theme of “Draw Your Dream.”
These programs include survival programs, building structures with bamboo and ropes, and hands-on experiences in learning Korean culture, such as Korean paper art, as well as various water activities.
The participants can also experience 30 programs in eight categories offered by 14 cities and counties in North Jeolla Province.
During the opening ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, performances by an orchestra consisting of Scouts and a drone light show will take place.
On Sunday, young Scouts from around the world will introduce traditional foods, games and costumes from their home countries. At night, K-pop performances will be held featuring 11 groups including IVE, StayC and Nmixx.
The closing ceremony is slated for Aug. 11.
Organizers said several globally eminent figures are planning to visit the campsite, including British adventurer Bear Grylls and Polish President Andrzej Duda. Poland is to host the next World Jamboree.
“During the event, we will deliver a message for recovery and hope, as this event marked the first large-scale event since before the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Choi Chang-haeng, secretary-general of the Organizing Committee.
“We will operate the event without a hitch so young Scouts can enjoy it to the fullest,” Choi added.
Meanwhile, organizers are paying keen attention to the current heat wave and the possibility of heavy rain and floods, as the event is taking place in the middle of summer.
On Tuesday, a heat wave alert was issued in Buan County near the campsite.
Organizers said they set up various sun shelters and tunnels surrounded by plants so participants can avoid the heat.
Participants of the 25th World Scout Jamboree rest on a path to avoid the heat at the Jamboree campsite on reclaimed land at Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province, Monday, a day before the world's largest youth camp kicked off. Courtesy of Korea Scout Association/Choi Kyu-ho