Local Lehigh Acres Boy Scout Connor Blais from Troop 720 is only two Boy Scouts from Southwest Florida that are currently attending the World Boy Scout Jamboree in Kirara-hama, Japan.
Blais is one of more than 30,000 Scouts and leaders from 161 countries around the world will converge on Kirara-hama, Yamaguchi, Japan, for the 23rd World Scout Jamboree.
The cost to attend the 2015 World Scout Jamboree as part of the Boy Scouts of America’s contingent was nearly $7000; and Blais raised all the money needed to attend the event himself. The Nearly $7000 included round-trip airfare from a commercial airport near the participant’s home; the registration fee paid to the Scout Association of Japan; a two- to three-day tour of Japan; lodging; ground transportation; meals; troop equipment, including tents and cots; items provided to each participant including a duffel bag, day pack, neckerchiefs, and contingent patches; shipping of equipment to Japan; insurance; and other costs.
This world Boy Scout event provides opportunities to raise awareness about global issues, explore the environment, participate in community service, make friends from around the world, and deepen understanding of developments in science and technology. The world jamboree is a unique opportunity for participants to experience an exciting program of activities, including: Global Development Village, City of Science, Cross Road of Culture, and the Peace Program.
Participants will live and learn with fellow Scouts from around the world. They will be housed in tents along with the BSA contingent but will soon venture out to mingle with tens of thousands of people for two weeks of activities and adventure. That’s right, a world fellowship exercise on an enormous scale!
Photos included in this story are exclusive to the Lehigh Acres Gazette as Connor Blias is still in Japan.
