Jeff Huddlestone
FIFTEEN-year-old Colby Ind has returned from the adventure of a lifetime at the World Scout Jamboree.
He was one of 43,000 scouts from 158 countries to travel to SaeManGeum in South Korea for the event.
“The jamboree was definitely an experience of a lifetime, I really enjoyed it and had a great time,” Colby said.
During the event Colby was able to put his leadership skills to the test.
“I was the leader of my patrol while I was there and that was really cool,” he said.
“I was also part of the influencing group and wrote updates for the Scouts SA page.”
The event was marred by extreme weather conditions of rain, heat and a typhoon and all attendees were evacuated to Seol, though Colby said this did not bother him too much.
“You make do with what you’re given,” he said.
“I didn’t really have a problem with it.
“I drank a lot more water, but managed through it.”
Colby’s mother, Kylie, said it was amazing watching the evacuation process from Mount Gambier/ Berrin.
“There were 40,000 people evacuated in 12 hours, 1014 buses, four helicopters and a police escort for each bus,” she said.
It was an effort for Colby to get to South Korea, with Ms Ind saying it cost about $7000 to attend.
“We have a deal with our kids, they have to raise half and we’ll come up with the other half,” she said.
“That just means they have to mow more lawns.”
Colby was quite adept at fundraising and did everything from can and bottle drives and sausage sizzles to selling 150 pairs of socks.
“It pays off when you get to go,” he said.
Overall, Colby said it was a great experience and a real eye-opener into different cultures.
“South Korea is so much different to the Australian culture,” he said
“There’s a lot of very spicy food, so I learned to order mild spice.”
He said the best part about the world jamboree was meeting lifelong friends.
A classic scout camp activity is trading badges and Colby was able to come away from the event with an International Traveller badge.
With world jamboree experience now tucked under his belt, Colby now has his eyes on other scouting journeys, including Venture 24, Norjam in 2025 and another world event.
“I would like to go to Poland in 2027 for the 26th world scouts jamboree, either as a contingent management or international services team member,” he said.
