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To celebrate 2013 being the 100th anniversary of Salvation Army scouting, the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland is hosting the Salvation Army World Jamboree for Scouts and Guides – Ignite 2013. The event is taking place at the historic home of scouting – Gillwell Park, Chingford – from 3-10 August.
In 1910 Salvation Army Founder William Booth received a letter from Robert Baden-Powell, who had started the scouting movement in 1907, asking him to be a member of the governing body of world scouting. After initial hesitation, Booth saw the possibilities of scouting, and in 1913 the Life Saving Scout Movement was inaugurated in The Salvation Army.
The international jamboree will bring together around 550 scouts and guides from Europe, Africa, Australia and North America, aged between 10 and 25. They will have the times of their lives doing adventurous, exciting and creative activities, learning about other cultures and understanding the common bonds they share in the Christian life and scouting. There will be lots of exciting activities on-site during the week, including archery, climbing and also more unusual pursuits such as ariel trek, wobbly pole, 3G swing, high seesaw, crate stacking, grass sledging and zip wire.
In the evenings delegates will participate in campfires and various social activities. They will also attend The Gathering – a fun, interactive programme hosted by Major Mark Sawyer (Chelmsford) and featuring worship led by Matt Leeder (ALOVE UK) and his band. Throughout the week The Zone will be available as a quiet space for prayer and reflection. This will be looked after by Captain Lynne Clifton (Associate Officer, Maidstone).
An international market day on Sunday will include the opportunity to sample delicacies and traditions from all attending countries. Many special guests will visit the camp, and the week’s programme will also feature the entire camp going into London for a day to take in the sights.
For more details and information about the camp visit the Ignite 2013 website ignite2013.org
Following the jamboree, the UKI Territory’s Children’s Ministries Unit proposes to mark the centenary with a year’s programme of events, celebrating the past and renewing momentum for scouting and guiding in a Salvation Army context.
