My Jamboree Journey

   

            MY JAMBOREE JOURNEY                                November 6, 2024

      An Autobiography Blog

                                                                                        

                                              

            Greetings, everyone! before I share with you my story, you must get to know me first!

            I am Ethan Rain Ayong, born on October 17, 2008 from Calbayog City, Samar, Philippines, a student from Calbayog City National High School, and a proud boy scout member of the Jose Avelino Outfit.

            I've been a scout ever since I was a kid and I first joined when I was                    elementary. The reason I was interested is because I thought scouting was            all about fun games! and I want to try and experience them especially that I         am not usually an outdoor kid as I only spent most of my childhood focusing         on my academics and playing cellphones. But don't worry, I am not a spoiled         kid after all HAHAHAHA! (fortunately). Turns out, scouting was all about                survival skills. "Why would I need to learn this? I'm still just a kid". I was            completely bored at that time, wanted to go home because I thought I was         scammed. "I swear I saw it, the FUN GAMES!" I was about to cry you know,         then there it was, the FUN GAMES! the exciting part that I've been waiting            for HAHA! it was exhausting indeed, but despite all of that, I had fun, I                learned something, I met new friends, and experienced my first overnight at         school. That was my first scouting experience in my life. I was glad I didn't         regret and quit immediately and I realized that the fun games was not only         the best part but instead, everything.

            

           

So, I decided to continue because I felt more confident on myself now and I think that I can improve myself well.

Then, more scouting events came! I've joined my first two Division Jamborees (2018 and 2019) and it was such an opportunity to be there, it was an unexpected event, totally different than school-based. I wasn't ready but I had no choice, I had to accept the challenge.

                                            

The experience was amazing, I mean it just felt like the school-based encampment though but it was way more broad, it was held outside the school with 3 days range, more challenging activities, and many more. So yeah, I'd say it was DIFFERENT but the same time JUST THE SAME, it was great! (for me) though I fainted in both events because my immune system was still weak back then but still, I did not go home because I want to survive in the end marking myself a true scout. 

Unfortunately, after that, I stopped due to the pandemic and never thought of it again to go back; maybe that was the end of my scouting experience.

But of course, people's minds change. Good news! I decided to return as a scout recently this senior high school. I am now part of the Jose Avelino Outfit during their recruitment encampment held before at the month of August. It feels so good to be back. I engaged in more activities, teaching me how to build confidence, improve skills, and experienced awesome memories! But there's this one event happened recently. And guess what? It's a jamboree again, but not just a jamboree unlike before, if I said a while ago that that was "great", this one is "perfect". 

            So now, I will share with you my most unforgettable, amazing journey in the Regional Scout Jamboree 2024 which was held at YOCENCA, Brgy. Naparaan, Salcedo, Eastern Samar, Philippines.

Day 1: September 25, 2024 (Wednesday)

    The day after the examination, can't even have a rest! waking up at 12:30AM was already a challenge for me. We, (btw, my father came with me) moved so fast chasing the time and when we arrived, the others are still at the school dancing some zumba, *sigh*. After that, we packed up our things and went straight to the bus. 2:00 AM, we departed and arrived at our destination at around 8:30 AM. Upon arriving, I felt a bit nervous and pressured about this huge event especially that our opponents are from other regions and expected a better performance from them. But I didn't let that stop me, instead I felt more pride and motivated because I want to show them that I can do this and will survive until the end no matter the cost.

    We immediately worked on organizing our campsite, it was a sunny day and we didn't even feel the hunger until our outfit adviser mentioned ice cream then my stomach grumbled HAHAHA! We ate our proper breakfast at 10AM, took a rest for a while then went back to work again.   

When we were done, we ate lunch then prepared for the Opening Program at 3PM. We marched towards the arena where the program was held then marched outside the campsite. We were like famous celebrities! although no one or a few had just watched our parade. We went back and stayed there until evening. But we didn't finished the program because it's already our dinner time and we will still practice for our fancy drill. We were ready then proceeded to Can-Avid Camp for

the presentation, but it was cancelled due to technical problems so it was moved at Day 2. We had an early break for the day then we went to sleep.  

I know it was only the beginning of my greatest jamboree journey yet it was already exhausting but, I still enjoyed it after all.

Day 2: September 26, 2024 (Thursday)

    Another day has come and my breakfast was delicious! a punishment for being late in the formation but it's okay, a 10-minute squat is too basic man... pff. We held our first flag ceremony within our council. Then this is where the real adventure starts. We had one module to try each day, and in each module has many activities. Then, my father has said goodbye to because he is going back to Calbayog. All i said is "take care" and didn't even got the chance to say "thank you" for all his help in our council and also for taking care of me since Day 1. I really missed him that time and my tears just went out of my eyes trying so hard not to cry as we marched again to the arena. 

     We started with the Emergency Preparedness, where we learned many bandaging types it was really interesting. After that, we immediately proceeded to the Orienteering. It was such an adventure and the most tiring part on this day as we walked around the forest for 3 hours exposed to extreme sunlight trying to follow each stations with instructions on it. I even tried to spread coal all around my arm to prevent sunburn but it just got worse.

    It was finally done, we went home at around 2:30PM to eat lunch, it was also raining that time so all of us gathered together in the big tent. Then rested as usual and we were now permitted to take a bath. While bathing, I was shocked when I heard the whistle! I thought it was already formation, so I went there with still soap all over my body HAHAHA! it was kind of embarrassing you know.

    At 5PM it was call time, as usual, we went to the arena to attend a program but.. as we marched, we encountered large muddy puddles and then didn't avoid them so we just go straight splashing the mud all over us, I even tasted a little...yum! I was kind of disappointed because my bath was just useless. 

    The Yell and Chant Competition was about to start which took at the same place as promised. At first, the weather was fine but later on, it started to pour again, and suspended the program but luckily, we had the chance to present before it happened.

    The rain continued pouring at for hours. Some of the activities were suspended due to the weather so it was moved onto the next day. I was constantly checking my tent if it flooded but thankfully it didn't. I got hungry while guarding my tent so I just ate my own dinner. The rain stopped for a while, I went outside and checked the external condition of my tent and it was totally fine. It was fun walking alone under the dark, silent and cold night then, I returned back. The day ends. Goodnight.

TIRED OF READING?

Day 3: September 27, 2024 (Friday) (I don't have much pictures on this day)

    

    

    I woke up very early so that I cannot be late in the formation again. Before we formally started the day, of course, we did our morning routine. After that, we prepared for another challenge. We went to the forest as our next module begins which is the Back to Basics. Our council was tasked to cook chicken and rice using woods, leaves, rocks, and a casserole of course. But they had no live chicken left so we bought our own. We lasted for 2 hours because we don't know how to make a fire HAHAHA! and from the moment we did, the flames are too low consuming so much time to cook one chicken and the rice. During the activity, there was also a dance competition held in the arena so we watched it. When the cooking is finally done, we gathered and brought the food back to our campsite. We changed our clothes, and went back again to the arena for the group photo for the Messenger of Peace.

    We then had our 2-hour rest preparing for the next module. The activities now had conflicts, not following the schedule maybe because of the weather yesterday. In the Naparaan Basketball Court, the SWA Module was held. The wind was cold which made me very sleepy and not paying attention to the discussion HAHAHA!

    Hallelujah! it is finally done, I was awakened. We went back to our campsite. Me and my two friends went out to search for a house to take a bath and we found a pumping well. Good thing it was free so we had unlimited water for our bath, it was refreshing. After one hour, we headed back to the campsite for dinner. And... there was no activity left to be done on that day so, it was our free time. Me and my friends again strolled at the Jambo Market, buying souvenirs and clothes! Little did we know, that it's been 2 hours! I tried to go back to the campsite checking if they had a gathering for an important announcement and yes, there was. They said that they wanted us to have an entry for the Fancy Drill Competition for the next day so we accepted it and practiced.

    But, due to the fast run of time and was already late, we felt despair and decided to cancel the plan then went straight to sleep.

    This was also the day where I started making new friends from other schools and other councils/delegates.

Day 4: September 28, 2024 (Saturday)
        

The best day for real! So here is how it went...

        I woke up again, and again. Did our routine as usual and prepared for the MOST EXCITING PART, not just me, but we, have all been waiting for this. The final module which is the Extreme Challenge. By the name itself, you can tell already that it is a tough and a deadly one I guess. We marched towards the entrance and we can already feel the excitement as we saw not a puddle but a POOL of mud. We submerged our foot while holding the rope and so, the adventure continues. We climbed tires, crossed a hanging bridge and a single rope, crawled under a narrow tunnel, and the best part, we swam through a river of mud! I didn't felt tired or whatsoever, nothing but excitement and confidence as I noticed I overcome these "extreme" challenges. While heading home I heard someone said "Man, Day 1 and 2 was way more tiring than today because that was the real extreme challenge" which was true anyways HAHAHA!

    

Me and my friends went to the same pumping well again to take a bath. From that moment, we became closer with one another talking about our personal and high school life, and we also washed our dirty clothes there. We returned back to our campsite so refreshed! that was the best bath I had. In the afternoon, there was nothing much more to do so it was our biggest free time. We headed to Jambo Market to eat lunch and talked more about any topics. We had so much fun during our free time, doing some stupid stuffs, watched the competition and so much more! 

    But the fun doesn't end there. In the evening, we changed to our Type A uniforms for the last time as we went to the arena for the Closing Program. It was such a memorable experience to be there. Realizing that the jamboree is almost ending, I became a bit sad because I might not be able to experience this again and see my new friends. As the program continued, we watched the final chant performance by the other councils and sang all together while the campfire burned marking the end of our amazing jamboree journey. Although, we didn't received any awards as expected, but we are still proud and grateful of ourselves for the memories, for surviving, and for having the opportunity to be there.

    We stayed until midnight for our own campfire, bonding for the last time, sang as the moon reaches the peak, had fun and shared what scouting taught us and the best experiences we had. Let me tell you what I said that time:

    Just kidding, I forgot already HAHAHA!

    But I was really glad to be there you know.

    When it's done, we took pictures with everybody and we slowly organized our things so that by the next day, we are ready for the departure. Some even didn't sleep.

Day 5: September 29, 2024 (Sunday)

The departure day.

    I woke up at 6AM and instantly changed my clothes, fixed my things, and folded my tent as we are getting ready for the bus to come. Me and my friend were struggling from walking to the campsite's exit because of our heavy bags. But thankfully a guy with a pedicab saw us and came to help. It was 8:00 AM, we were all at the bus and checked the attendance for the last time, when it was complete, we left that place. 

But not just "that" place, it was the place where we worked together as a team, been through ups and downs, encountering different challenges in life but still overcome it, left some amazing memories, and sang together. I am really going to miss YOCENCA hoping to return there one day.

I really hate long rides because I get dizzy easily so what I did is sacrificed myself to not eat and just slept for the rest of the ride. 

And the time has come, 3:10 PM, we arrived home and one by one went down on the bus. We bid our goodbyes and had our last hugs with one another. 

    But guys, we shouldn't be that emotional I mean we will see each other again! am I right scouts from different schools? After all we all live from the same place, Calbayog. Our schools are not that far from one another, we can go there anytime we want! At least for now, I had made new scout friends that are happily serving their beloved schools.

I went home with a smile on my face and my parents were also proud of me for making it. Despite the intense sunburn I received, I wasn't ashamed because this marks my sacrifice, passion, and determination from the journey.

Scouting has become a part of my life now. From a curious kid who thought it was all about FUN GAMES! to a senior high school student that is still eager to improve himself by scouting. And yes, it may be tiring sometimes but I don't care, after all nothing is achieved in just a such easy process, we must learn to risk ourselves, make sacrifices, be consistent, and disciplined. 

As the bus continue to move forward, I said to myself "Will I apply everything I learned from the jamboree? Or was it all for that event" I've been always wanting to improve myself in many ways and I know that scouting is one of them but turns out, I am not as consistent as it may seem; maybe because of the influence of the social media. But whatever it is, it is never too late to make change.

I may not be their best performing scout from the jamboree but for myself, I was. As I noticed that I can still go beyond my limits and discovered new aspects about myself. I am very proud of myself for making it this far but I know there are still more journeys to take.

~ Tango Yankee! this is Senior Scout Echo Alpha, signing off. ~

fin.