In 10 days time, 26 Scouts and Explorers from Mersey Weaver with embark on the adventure of a lifetime by attending the World’s Northernmost Jamboree in Bodø, Norway.
Situated at 67 degrees north, above the Arctic Circle with beautiful mountain views. Bodø is the capital of Nordland county and is surrounded by some of the most pristine wilderness in Norway including 17 Nature Reserves.  As well as thousands of Scouts from all across Norway and Scandinavia, participants will be joining contingents from as far away as the USA, Australia, Netherlands and Hong Kong.. They will meet Scouts from other countries and learn about their cultures, make friends and maybe even swap a few badges!
The contingent will spend 10 days of self discovery in Bodø sharing a camp with our new friendship group 1st Fagerstrand. Together they will cook, eat and sleep as well as take part in some incredible activities including a 24 hour expedition, Sea kayaking and learn about the native peoples of Northern Scandinavia – the Sami. After the Jamboree, the contingent will head south by night train to spend four days with our friendship group in Nesodden, a peninsula just south of Oslo meeting their families as well as interacting with Beavers and Cubs. There will be time to explore Oslo and some of its culture including a visit to the Nobel Peace Prize Centre and a ferry trip down the Oslo fjord before returning home.
We hope to reciprocate our hosts hospitality by  welcome 1st Fagerstand to the District in 2018.
To get to this point has not been easy and it all started back in October when participants took part in a selection event which included an interview and teamwork activity. Since then not only have the participants been hard at work fundraising the full £38,000 they needed to make the experience possible (a whopping 70+ events were organised over the course of 8 months) but also taking part in a number of preparation and team building activities along the way including:

  • Halloween Social
  • Two Radio Interviews
  • Five Hillwalking Experiences
  • A Beaver and Cub Disco
  • Skills workshop
  • A weekend away at our Clogwyn Activity Centre in North Wales
  • A REC Frist Aid Qualification
  • Six Hike practices
  • A week-long Camp at Great Tower in the Lake District
  • Mask Making Day
  • Magazine Interview
  • Night Nav Experience
  • Six Norwegian Lessons in Liverpool

Some Highlights of the Fundraising Events included:

  • Nord Battle of the Bands
  • Nord Ball
  • Nord Helsby Family Funday

A huge thanks should go to Andy, Charlie, Fiona and James for all that you have done to support me making this experience happen for the Young People. Dex for all his support – I wish you and Nicola all the best with your new-born baby. Owen, Colin & Jeff for believing in me and giving me the backing. Cath for being an amazing treasurer and extremely prompt and efficient at making all the payments we’ve needed. As well as all those from the District Team, District ASUs, District ESU’s, District Executive and County Team who have contributed in one way of another to making this experience happen.
I would also like to thank all the local organisations, businesses, councillors, leaders, parents and friends of the District who have contributed financially to the project. We have seen great support from Cheshire Scout Council, Halton Borough Council, ETC UK, Frodsham Freemasons, Helsby Town Council, Helsby & Frodsham Lions, Howden’s Joinery, Inovyn Chlor, GMB, Essar Four Villages Half Marathon, Leslie Sell Trust, Frodsham Town Council, Helsby Rugby Club, Frodsham and Helsby Rotary, Soroptimists, Barclays.
And finally a huge B-R-A-V-O to all the parents and participants who have worked tirelessly over the last 8months fundraising.
Make sure you keep your eyes peeled on our Social Media Channels for updates while we are there; as well as our contingent mini site and blog https://nord2017.mwscouts.org
Oliver Chambers (ADC Adventure & Contingent Leader)