There are more than 400 Scouts from across the country who are losing a lot of sleep this week. They are excitedly packing their bags for a jamboree adventure that has been four years in the making.
One of those people is St. Albert's Annick Skrundz. The 14-year-old with the 13th St. Albert Venturers is among the 10 lucky locals who will be making the long journey to northern Europe but the prospect of making two connecting flights over the course of a day doesn't bother her in the least.
"I've travelled outside of Scouts," she stated, "but this is a jamboree!"
The 22nd World Scout Jamboree takes place in Rinkaby, Sweden from Thursday, July 28 to Saturday, Aug. 6. Much like the Olympics it only takes place every four years and each time in a different location around the world. The last one was in Hylands Park, UK in 2007 and the next one goes to Kirarahama, Japan in 2015.
The jamboree brings together a massive and diverse group of people. There's camping, recreation and activities but participants also take part in environmental experiences, play at an amusement park, and attend a cultural festival, among other features. The whole point is to learn and have a little fun with new experiences and exposure to different cultures, religions and languages.
"It's a place to meet new people, do cool activities and just have fun!" Skrundz said.
She went to the provincial jamboree in Southern Alberta last year and said it was a blast. There was something new to do every day like swimming and rock climbing, but all of it had a higher goal for the group.
"We did a whole bunch of stuff and every activity was about teambuilding and meeting new people," she said.
To earn her way in, she had to raise a minimum of $4,400 through a variety of methods including selling popcorn and Christmas trees, doing bottle drives, holding barbecues and finding sponsors. She's been working on that goal for about a year now and said that it was worth it for this chance of a lifetime. After all, she couldn't imagine her life without it.
"We get to go around camping and I get to meet a lot of new people," she said. "I've found some really good friends."
D.J. Gough, the local representative on the national management team for the trip, is pretty impressed with the dedication that the teenagers have shown toward earning their spots on the flight. He said that it's a really big moment for everybody that's involved.
"For a lot of them, this is the pinnacle of their Scouting careers," he said.
Skrundz's mother, Lise, will be joining her for the 17-day journey. She's the advisor to the Venturers.
"It's extremely exciting, we really can't wait," she said.
Scouting is an integral element to her entire family. Her husband and son have also both been involved for a long time.
Scouts Canada is one of the country's most popular youth organizations, offering seven programs for more than 74,000 youth between the ages of five and 26. For more information, visit www.scouts.ca.
