Weather

Currently, 30c hot and sunny

On the bus

The scouts, and dave have just cleared the airport

Landed

Just clearing passport control

And we are off

On the way

Boarding

Boarding at last,

Next stop amsterdam

Flight delay

Free burger king, courtesy of flybe

Slight delay

They've discovered the burger king, and sunglasses

On the way

Just left

And thats it for the pre camp updates....

Thats all for the pre camp updates, next up,updates from the camp itself, as/when things take place ( plus countless typing errors )

Also keep an eye on the twitter page/feed here https://twitter.com/1st_melb_scouts

And our you tube channel here  https://www.youtube.com/user/1stMelbourne
 ( we may be able to live stream some events)

Main camp song ( below) youtube video

Haarlem Jamborette - co-operation

Short Video on Co-operation from the Sunday Reflection part of the last Haarlem Jamborette

The "Mokkie"

The Mokkie is open every day from 8am- 1am  available to Scouts daytime- when not on activities and evenings upto 11pm ( again when not on activities ) 

Every night ( except the Disco night) the mokkie becomes an end of day party location.
During the day its a location where you can sit down, have a tea/coffee/soft drink, after all the evening activities have taken place it takes on a more active life, on most nights there is a different theme, and the themed schedule for the 2019 Jamborette has been announced:

• Monday 29th - Around the world
• Tuesday 30th July: Crazy Lab
• Wednesday 31st Neon Party night 
• Thursday 1st August: Dutch Night
• Friday 2nd August Birthday Party Night
• Saturday 3rd of August - Big Disco in the main arena
• Sunday 4th August: Game tunes/Chiptune night
• Monday 5th August Hot summer night party

 Here are a few videos from the last Haarlem jamborette of the Mokkie and Disco night

Mokkie official Haarlem Jamborette video:

 Mokkie, "Somewhere in here are the Scouts"

Disco Night

 

And the Camp theme

The main camp theme is now up which starts like this...

Mysterious figures have arrived at the Jamborette campsite. They come from faraway places and times long gone… or yet to come. Who can tell…? One thing is for sure; they need to be on their way to save their homelands. They also carry precious cargo. Something to do with an unknown kind of energy, or so we have been told. Who knows, we might even learn a thing or two about that.
Meanwhile, these ‘time travellers’ and the sheriff seem to have settled in nicely and will introduce themselves here. Make sure you catch up with them during the Jamborette.

You can read the whole thing in the link below

https://www.haarlemjamborette.nl/participants/theme/?fbclid=IwAR1wgEAp0ZLdXdFKlg0fxuOGk4deTn25pNHZAiLgTwU51qAGs2ezXO2awVw

HJ 2019 Build start

Latest from the Haarlem Jamborette site, as the build for the camp gets underway

A few packig tips....

1: use plastic carrier bags to separate some clothing types, ie uderwear+socks in one bag, t shirts in another bag and so on, with a larger bin bag for dirty clothes.

2: Instead of folding clothes roll them tightly as thishelps reduce the size.



3: Instead of taking a pillow, take an empty pillowcase  and put sweatshirts etc inside

4:NEVER pack food amongstamongst clothing

Camp map and handbook

And the Camp handbook: Camp Handbook PDF  we will get a hard copy of this at the campsite

test, embed video. /closing 2015

Part of the closing from 2015

test

Photo from 2011 Haarlem Jamborette

One month to go

(Or less)

One month (or less to go)

News letter 5 Two months to go....

Newsletter  5 from the Subcamp is now up, you can read it here:
Contains information on who else will be on our Subcamp, and who we will be taking part in activities with
https://mailchi.mp/1fc03631fbfb/subcamp-rusty-railrood-newsletter-5?e=ac44e0ff9b&fbclid=IwAR2NFsPFXuzAfRQ5J17L2I0UH9Ghfw5pknAc5j_OPlZpYK7MQ7HzJnJvbtM

We have just received The subcampcamp newsletter for May, and it contains two tasks they would like us to complete.
 One task is to make a sign for our campsite - more on that later ( if needed) 

The other is to provide a group  photo linked to the theme of the camp/Subcamp.
 We are looking at possibly going to the Great Central Railway ( or any other local steam railway ) to accomplish this - the date in June is in OSM under events, if you can attend please let us know.

Below is the Subcamp Newletter:


Rust Railrood subcamp newsletter/info May 2019
 Hello to all of you around the world. May 2019 has arrived and by now we hope you are "on track" getting ready for the Haarlem Jamborette this summer.   

 "Jamborette in motion, gear up for adventure in steampunk style!" 
  You will be camping in Rusty RailRood and we (team Red) are full steam ahead getting ready to welcome you in style. Over the last two years we couldn't resist checking out steamtrains and stations on our holiday destinations. It gave us the inspiration to bring Rusty RailRood to life ...

  

 The streets in Rusty RailRood have names that relate to steam engines. You'll find trainsigns, suitcases and of course a big steamtrain. We are also working on our saloon where you collect your daily food supply's and a waiting room where you can relax and meet other Scouts. On our drawing table is a real windmill that we'd like to build. 

There are buffer stops at every entrance of our subcamp so you'll know that you are coming home as soon as you pass them :-) We have Streetlights in steampunk style to lighten' up your night and day. We've done our part, now we challenge you to take your turn! 

Please Take a photo of your group at your own local Railway station or even better with a steamtrain!!!! 
  We would love to see who is camping with us this summer and this is a good start to see who might be your neighbour in Rusty RailRood. 

Let's make it a competition, the best three photos we receive will be printed and shown on the walls of our Saloon.

 We challenge you to start decorating your campsite now. We ask you to make a sign with the name of your group and your country. You place this at the entrance of your campsite. 

   Rule #1: make it in Steampunk/RailRood style (we love the colour Red) 
   Rule #2: attach someting that actually MOVES!!!! We will be in motion, so show us some  
motion. 

Be creative and come up with some fun and clever designs. To give you some ideas, we've made a moodboard with wind chimes and windmills. "Get moving, we can't wait to see what you are all up to."   All Aboard!!! 
Ronald, Femke, Jurrit, Marinke, Fleur, Frits, Carolien, Arjan & Petra

Activities

The Activity's have now been posted to the main website, and putting everything together this is a rough guess as to how it will/could pan out.
 Things, of course may change between now and then......

A typical day will start at 7am- sometimes a little earlier ie 06:30 if there is a trip out ( note the end time!!) morning starts with a visit to the food supply tent and pick up the ingredients for Breakfast+pack lunch, Flag break is roughly 9am and has featured a small group activity based on the main camp theme /subcamp theme, our Subcamp is the Rusty Railrood, the overall camp theme is steampunk.

Most activities start at 10am, on-site activities are in two or four blocks with a break in the middle for lunch. at the end of the activities we go to the food supply tent to pick up the ingredients for the evening cooked meal+instructions on how to cook it.

After the Evening meal a leaders meeting takes place ( we may need a scout to assist!! ) where we discover what activities we will be on the next day, and what equipment /kit will be required, once day bags are packed for the next day ( ie swimming kit) and activities allocated evening activities start such as a Frisbee competition in the first part of the evening, then a nightly "unwind" party in the "Mokkie" until 11pm or thereabouts ( note what time we need to start in the morning!) 

 

other evening activities have included the Internet tent, Car Stuffing, Tug-of War, face painting, chill out zone(s), and more

Mixed into the theme of the camp, at the last Two Haarlem jamborettes was an inter subcamp competition, with points based on the camp theme being awarded for participation, Scouts ( and leader) enthusiasm teamwork and more.

In 2011 the theme was "Energy unlimited and we collected tokens known as Jambo Joules, which filled an "energy meter" in 2015 the theme was "Cartoon your Camp" and we collected Developmental Quotiant point tokens which enabled our subcamp Avatar to develop from an Egg to a starfish (?) to a mouse to a gremlin, then to an old man ( see our youtube video haarlem jamborette closing excerpt) This years (2019) theme is Steampunk

Below: list of activities, note these may change

Saturday 27th July : Arrive/set up, Sunday 28th July : continue set up+subcamp opening games followed by main Camp Opening

Monday 29 July Hike: The escape hike (20k) there are a few other hiles on offer, this is a best guess as to which one we will be taking part in:

This challenging hike runs on and around the areas and towns surrounding the camp site and is 20 km long. This is how you can see the terrain and its surroundings. The hike is made up of several parts. Each part becomes available by solving our escape room/scenario tasksso you decide how long the total hike time will be.

-----------------------

Tuesday 30th July: Activity Trail

Under Pressure:

You need to keep your head cool when conquering the obstacle course. Use water, fire and air to your advantage and hold on tight to the moving objects. Time is your biggest enemy here, so don’t crack under it's pressure if you want to succeed!

Post-Apocalyptica

What do scouts do when they face a challenge? Right, they roll up their sleeves and get down to business. Whether you have to escape the playing field through a series of assignments, battle your opponent during a Pillow Fight XL or reach the other side with the power of teamwork, these challenges are sure to challenge your skillset.

High Gear Island

As the self-proclaimed epicentre of the Haarlem Jamborette, the Trail Island offers various activities on the island and the adjacent water. Reach the highest point of the campsite and zip down on the iconic zipline.

Mad Max Motion Race

We provide the materials: wood, wheels and whatever you need. You provide your creativity, enthusiasm, teamwork and a bit of ingenuity. As a result, you will not only create a cool vehicle, but a true adventure: try to finish the course on both land, water and perhaps a bit of air , and earn eternal fame!

--------------------------

Wednesday 31st July: Day off, a chance to explore the area/own excursion/shopping

------------------------------

Thursday 1st August, Aqua ( all day events, some have been two parters, ie Beurtvaart and sailing, Raft building and canoeing)

Sailing

Together with 4 other scouts and a leader you will spend time on a sailboat! Hold the rudder and learn the basics of sailing. Get to know the boat and make it a fun sailing moment to remember.

Supping (paddle boarding)

Supping is THE hottest water sport at the moment. Try to stand up on the board and transport yourself by paddle left and right. When everybody gets the hang of it, we will sup away! A real challenge!

Canoeing: Who doesn't like canoeing? It's a fun activity and easy to learn. But make sure you don't flip the canoe! We will practise the basics first and canoe around the Jamborette camp site and play a games as well.

DIY rafts: Show us your knotting skills! Build a raft with your fellow scouts and try to float. Who will create the biggest one?

Beurtvaart (Boat Trip -  at previous haarlem jamborettes this has been onboard MS Koophandel Local Water Scouts Floating Scout HQ)

You're gonna need a bigger boat. Join the Beurtvaart and see the typical Dutch landscapes in and around Haarlem. Don't forget to bring you bathing suit when the sun is shining! maybe you can take the wheel and steer, or learn how the engine works whilst on the way

Beach games: Do you enjoy water, but prefer to stay on land? Don't worry, we got just the right activities for you!

Friday 2nd August - Jambo Tours

IJmuiden, Tatasteelmuseum & beach

More info will follow later.

Saturday 3rd August: Sports

Keep on rollin’!

It is round, it comes in different sizes and it's an important part of a number of different sports. That’s right, this cluster is all about ball sports! However, these aren't your average dull P.E. class activities, the games will be full of twists and turns as you've never seen before!

Team up!

Are you a natural team player? This cluster consists of several challenges which all focus on teamwork. The games that will be played are a mixture of fantastical and adventurous games. Will you be the strategist taking your team to the next level?

Challenge yourself!

Use the power within you and conquer! This cluster consists of various games, some in teams and some individual, yet all challenging. You will learn new skills but foremost, you will have a lot of fun! If you’re not afraid of a little adventure, this cluster is for you!

: Evening : Disco 9pm-11:30pm/midnight(?)

----------------------------------

Sunday 4th August:

Reflection/open day

Frisbee final

--------------

Monday 5th August,

Big excursion Walibi

``Thrill seekers and daredevils, step up! There is just one place for the true excitement and sensation. With the entire sub camp you will be taken by bus to visit a large amusement park in Biddinghuizen Walibi Holland. Here, you'll find it all. The wildest roller coasters, most exciting attractions, and coolest festivals. This is a great mix of fun, with lots of action, spectacle and adrenaline. This will be an unforgettable day out for everyone. ... Do not forget your camera!”

-------------------------------------

Tuesday 6th August Arts and Crafts

Arts

Get set for challenging and artsy activities. Can you escape from the escape room? Or are you secretly a experienced blacksmith creating beautiful objects made of iron? This is only a small glimpse of what we offer at Arts!

Crafts

Is DIY your middle name? Take your seat and create beautiful objects at Crafts, with old bicycle tires, very Dutch! Or will you knot a dream catcher in all colors of the rainbow? Your crafty heart will get it's fix.

Technology

Team Technology will give you the experience in making amateur radio: broadcasting your own words and jokes all over the world. Maybe even more fun is soldering you own Jamborette tangible memory or object that lights up! GPS, lego and a labyrinth are activities you can choose from.

Tuesday Evening Closing ceremony(s) and end disco 8pm-12:30am

---------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday 7th August:

clear up go home

Thursday 8th August

Collapse/recover

 

HJ2019 Theme

Some may already know, this brief video introduces the subcamps based around the subcamp theme

Haarlem Jamborette Subcamp Rusty Railrood newsletter

Newsletter number 3 here:

This subcamp newsletter is about our theme and  your subcamp-staff.
Have you "googled" the word STEAMPUNK and do you get exited every time a (steam)train passes? That means you are preparing for :

Jamborette in motion, gear up for adventure!

To help you understand what our Red subcamp will look like, we have introduced all nine of our teammembers in style. Let me introduce to you, Team RED!

Read more in the link below

Subcamp newsletter click here

Haarlem jamborette 2019 activity programme

activity program for 2019 now up, we are Subcamp Red ( probably A)( click for larger image)

Some infomration from Team Events on the theme from 2015

This post, and everything below, relates to the 2015 Haarlem Jamborette, keep going and you will get to 2011!

Here are some facts from team events: -Team events was in search of the name of the trotters. We were thinking of magizzard, or druïdian, but somehow it doesn’t seem to fit (and hard to say out loud). Then we found that the original nickname of Aragorn II, son of Arathorn (aka strider) in Lord of the Rings was trotter.
 The name Trotter was retained for a long time, and Tolkien decided to change it to Strider only after the story was completed. So we could use trotter ;)

 Also trotter sounded something like globetrotter (world traveller) and that’s what the trotters did. So it has nothing to do with pigs.. -During the camp the grey trotter had four different looks. During an avatar-update (female), during the reflection (mask), closing ceremony (glasses and different cape) and the shut up and jambo (long hair).

 -Fabulist’s original name was Torrysteller or Jamborina. On the campsite itself we decided that fabulist (an old English word for liar, or fable / fiction poet) suited much better. -The astronomer and the grey trotter in the closing ceremony were played by the same man. 

The grey trotter Newhouses was named after one of the staffmembers. He and his team helped us out by moving the hyperbolic-paraboloid.

During the camp the Fabulist had several bad hair days and in the end she decided to change her look. 

The naming of the trotters took some time. Then we decided that the name had to contain some of the characteristics and the colour of the subcamp. Mellow Yellow was the first name we invented for the trotters. We thought it would fit with the festival vibe of that subcamp. The name Sunny Orange was very clear. The orange trotter lives on the beach and there is a lot of sun. The red trotter had her outfit before the naming. The name Reddy Freddy (or Ready Freddy/ Freddie, we don’t mind the spelling) fitted the flamboyant pirate look. 

Freddy rhymes with Reddy and Reddy Freddy is a big fan of Queen. The name of the green trotter took the most time. We liked hopper from grass hopper. Then we came to Geri Hopper. Geri is one of the singers in the Spice girls.

Almost it ( for now anyay)

Theres still a few more bits n bobs to go up on the blog, but most of the post camp stuff has been done and unless I find anything else 'new' thats about it. Hope you enjoyed the blog.
 Theres still a re-union/get together to organise ( information will be posted here )

As for this mini update, as mentioned before hand the Haarlem Jamborette has/had an extensive media team, if you want to find/see the photos here where:
Flickr:  Jan Perebooms photos ( everything labelled HJ15)
 https://www.flickr.com/photos/34483693@N03/sets/with/72157656884799021

Haarlem Jaborette Camp photos
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jamborette/albums/72157656825280665
 of which a slideshow is running below

Some of our Scouts ( and leaders) feature in the photos, heres one of those photos

Created with flickr slideshow.

Bumpy landing

I thinik this is the aircraft that 1st Melbourne were on coming into land at Schiphol just as the storm was easing off

27th July re-cap- Sports

Monday the 27th of July saw the weather slowly improving with extremly heavy showers in the morning giving way to slightly less heavier showers by the afternoon, however it would still be afew days before it started to get warm.
 While the Scouts were out and about on the various Sports activitys, Leader wise Tom M, and myself were out and about trying to find a timber merchants in Haarlem in order to obtain some wooden sheets for the table- see picture ( taken when the weather had changed form cool and showery to hot and sunny)

To get hold of this ply wood, we had to ask at the camp information centre, and armed with an address, and nothing more than Google Maps/navigation on a phone, off we went in the van

To find the woodyard, Which fortunatly with the aid of some technology was reasonably easy to find, however once we had the ply wood, we ran into a slight hitch, in that none of our payment cards would work in the machine, so this then ended with a quick dash on foot to find a bank machine at Haarlem central railway station, then a return back to the builder/wood yard with the cash for payment.
 We eventually made it back to the camp site, parked the van up, and returned where the table could then be finished.
  Hence the lack of photos etc from the sports activity day, below Youtube video of some of the Sports activity's at this years Haarelm Jamborette

Another few  post camp updates still to come..

All packed away ( mostly ) Post Camp update 19th August

Over the last week or so we have been busy sorting kit the equipement came back in a van  five days after the camp  late sunday/early hours Monday morning and was placed roughly in two piles in the Scout Hut at Melbourne, one pile being mostly Eccleshall kit, and the other being mostly Melbourne kit. Needless to say some of it was well and truly mixed up, so over the next few days most evenings were spent at the Scout hut sorting it all out - it could have been sorted in Holland when we loaded, however it was much much easier just to load it all up, and sort later

So we went from the above situation to the one below ( the broom was used to sweep up  ) the trailer was loaded and off we went up to Eccelshall to unload the rest of the kit.

And that was that the last bit of physical  stuff for the Harlem Jamborette ( apart from a few nylon tents drying in the loft ) Theres still a few more bits to add to the blog - and if anything is discovered then it will be posted here, next post camp update to this blog due Sunday evening sometime

Silent Disco: Post Camp update Sunday 16th August

Apart from a fully packed daytime activity programme, there were also aplenty of activitys happening elsewhere.

On Thursday the 30th of July there was a Disco at the Subcamp, not just a  normal Disco but a Silent Disco where those taking part wore wireless  headphones linked to the DJ desk/sound equipment - this is what it looked and sounded like if you werent wearing the headphones 

Another update Due tomorrow ( or on Tuesday depending upon time) with what details of  (for us ) what will probably be the last bit of physical action  as a result of the Haarlem Jamborette - returning the Equipment to Eccleshall after sifting and sorting all the Melbourne /Eccleshall kit from the Scout hut floor

Shut up and Jambo

Were still sifting through the tents and equipment that came back in the early hours of Monday morning/Sunday night - ( see previous post)  and this will take up to Sunday evening  at the moment its all mixed up, tents/poles/pegs/cooking equipment and so on so this is the last post camp  update until the weekend ( unless something else crops up)

In the meantime - heres two Youtube Videos showing ( some of ) the volunteer staff that helped to make the Haarlem Jamborette a success, and without who's hard work the Haarlem Jamborette wouldnt be possible

Video 1 - Shut up and Jambo

Video 2: Haarlem jamborette staff + behind the scenes If you are on Facebook and would like to leave a comment for the Haarlem Jamborette staff to see then you cna do so here Haarlem Jamborette Main Facebhook page https://www.facebook.com/HaarlemJamborette

And on the Subcamp Facebook page here Redington Harbour Facebook page

A big festering pile of ............stuff. Post camp update 10th August

End of Camp day +5

Last night, at around midnight the Van containing all our equipment, tents, cooking gear etc returned to Melbourne where it was emptied into the Scout hut, at the time o f writing this its in a large pile in the main hall where it will be sorted out into Melbourne/Eccleshall and 'other' piles, with the "other" being any personal kit that made it back OK

The next challenge is to check it all then put it all away


another update tomorow

Still not over yet+Reflection, Post camp update 9th August

 A camp isnt usually over until all the equipment is packed away and put back in the stores shed, all ready for the next camp.

as you probably know we were a combined group at the 12th Haarlem Jamborette, consisitng of 1st Melbourme, 1st Eccleshal, and Zharki Scouts from Russia, Melbourne and Ecclesahll left Holland on the 5th of August. However the van that transported our equipment stayed for a few extra days to provide equipment transport to the Zharki Scouts from Russia, who stayed on and went to a few other coutries after the Jamborette was over.
 Tonight this van returns back to the UK, and sometime this evening/night it will be emptied into the Scout hut at Melbourne  and the equipment will then be sorted out in the next few days, with Melbournes Equipemtn being returned to the stores shed, and Ecclesahlls equipment will be returned to Eccleshall once sorted.

Reflection / open house

On the Second Sunday of the camp we had 'Reflection' this is for everyone to gather together and briefly pause in thought, as part of that  we had a show by the The Sand Wizzard, Gert van der Vijver
Here are a few clips from the Sunday Reflection

and a Short piece on what Co-operation means tosome of the Scouts at the Haarlem Jamborette

In the Afternoon it was open House, in other words visitors afternoon between 2pm and 5pm, here are a few photos from the open house

Check your e-mail for a photo view of the reflection area+instructions on how to use it to virtualy stand in the crowd ( requires a smart phone/tablet) Next Update due Tomorrow evening

Hikes, Drawings, and Toilets - 8th August post camp update

Bit of an odd combination, but all will become clear, the Camp theme was Cartoon your camp.

On the Tuesday we set out on the Hikes day, and on this day the weather was beging to show some signs of improvement, in that the heavy torrential downpours of rain were becoming less frequent, it was however still incredibly windy, and quite cool as well with temperatures only reaching around 13-14c.
 Most of Eccleshall Scouts completed the 40km drop off Punisher hike, with Melbourne and some from Eccleshall completing the Polder hike.
 We originally had 3 From Melbourne down to do the Punsisher hike, however after they found out a little more about the punisher they decided to switch to the shorter 14.5 mile long Polder hike, which was a cricular route to and from the campsite.
 First of that morning was the punisher hike, leaving site at around 7:15am towards the bus pick up point at Gate B, it woudnt be until later that evening they returned.

At the slightly later ( and more social ) time of 9:30 Melbourne and some from Eccleshall reported to the Hikes team tent complete with the required list of all those on the hike which was handed in to the Hikes team, there was then a safety briefing road safety - footpath/Cycle path/Road - kit check and a few other bits before we were handed the hike route.

This being the Haarlem Jamborette it wasnt  map with a route, Grid references or anything approaching 'normal' what we got was a a set of drwaings depicting junctions and bridges,

 

 

This was followed by by some pictures of the local landscape, where the photo showed the direction of travel, then the colour route

followed by a story route - Check your e-mail ( if your on the mail list ) for the full Polder Hike, it basicaly worked along the lines of as the story was read out, you followed the route the main character(s) took in that story, heres an excerpt of that story

Not very much is known about Claes; he must have lived from the late 13th and early 14th century. In fact, the only official record is of him visiting England in 1296, in the company of a small party of Dutch noblemen who probably invited him along to impress their hosts. His appearance had been described as ugly and fearsome; children wouldn’t dare to look at him, but he was known to be a friendly guy, a gentle giant, a BFG avant la lettre so to say.

So its someone from the late 1300’the story continues.....

At first he met quite some noisy traffic up there so he had to be careful. After a quarter mile the traffic all turned left into the Houtrak, so the man decided to just continue on top and go straight on. He kept riding until on his right he saw a bunch of red and white barriers with flashy lights, and some big noisy machine rushed by on seemingly endless iron rods.

Hike Drawing challenge

Along the route there were various check points and some head counts, some checkpionts had a few simple challenges, and at the central checkpoint ( under a lift bridge ) the Task, in line with the camp theme "Cartoon your camp" was to draw a cartoon, or a cell to form a comic strip, on a long roll of paper where the next group could only see what the previous two had drawn, this was then un-rolled and displayed in the Redington' Harbour subcamp tent for all to see...

So there it is, the picture roll laid out across the Subcamp tent, moving form Left to Right, we have 1st Brussels, and 1st Stavanger (Brittish) Scouts drawing, nothing odd there, and then 1st Eccleshall and 1st Melbournes Drawing ( under the marquee hire companys logo ) again nothing unusual there, but from then on it started to get weird, with a distinct toilet theme creeping in, South Marches declaring that "My Poo is bigger than your poo" after that things didnt exactly improve on the toilet / poo/sh*t references - all proudly displayed in the subcamp tent, starting in the food supply area so it was impossible not to notice it..

 But why the obsession with piles of poo???, its something that the Scouts from Melbourne, Eccelshall, or Zharki didnt mention or pick up on - although at the start of the camp some trekked all the way to subcamp Green village in order to use the English Style toilets that exisited over there.

Some people will be aware of Squat toilets, some may have even experienced them, however theres another toilet type - and the Drawing displayed proudly in the subcamp tent only became clear after talking to the Leaders from other Groups

The Dutch Style Toilet

Toilets in the UK, and in most other places are pretty straight forward, you do your business and it drops down into water, however this straight drop toilet we are all oh-so familiar with is not universal, theres another type ( at least), one with what can best be described as having an inspection shelf inside.
 Instead of landing in water, your droppings fall onto a shelf, see below:

Initially it looks quite normal, however the bit inside the bowl at the back is horizontal, it is in fact a ledge and whatever you drop onto this ledge sits there exposed the open air until you get up, push the flush button, and a jet of water sends it down to the front and from there underneath and onwards and away into the sewers.
In effect your droppings pile up on the shelf, hence the drawings about my poo being bigger than yours., there is, beleive it or not a practical reason for this, as it can be possible to tell if you have any ailments from the state of your droppings
Fortunately the cubicle doors opened straight out into the open air, with sinks+soap provided at each end of each  toilet block.

So there is is, Hikes, Drawings and Toilets. Another post camp update tomorrow - if your on the email list you should also receive a pdf copy of the Polder hike

 

Opening and Closing - recap

Despite the rain the Opening Ceremony carried on, with a sort of explanation of the theme.
 As ever at the Haarlem Jamborette the theme/opening  and closing were unlike anything I've ever experienced at any other Camp of its type - or even at any other camp, anywhere.
 In a previous post to this Blog here http://haarlemjamborette.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/not-over-yet.html#comment-form I attempted to explain some of what its about/what could happen.  This resulted in this comment " have you been on the vino ..... ????? Ha ha"

No vino was used, although I'm not sure what goes on behind the scenes during the creative process

Below the official opening ceremony ( edited/clip) video

Next a clip from the Closing Ceremony

;'

and an official edited version

Another Addition to come tomorrow evening

Day 1 re-cap, the storm

On the first day of our Trip to the Haarlem Jamborette, we encountered a delay at the airport, This was due to a Storm in Holland which struck at about 1pm, and didnt finaly abate until 5pm.
 Due to the Storm Amsterdam Schiphol was effectivly closed for a short while, and being stuck at Birmingham Airport was probably the best place to be, as opposed to being on a very wet and extremely windy campsite - surrounded by Trees.
 Eccleshall Scouts had their own interesting journey with the group being split in two due to an overbooking on the aircraft, one group from Eccleshall was on an aircraft that made an aborted landing at Schiphol, after being nearly blown off the runway during landing  the aircraft then aborted the landing and diverted to Brussels, where it remained for a short while before heading out to Amsterdam Schiphol.

Meanwhile at the Haarlem Jamborette, groups that had already arrived at the airport before the storm ( and soon after ) were held at Schiphol airport, those on busses on the way were held at a coach park, and those on site were taken to safe areas in marquees.
 From what I understand the organisers of the camp were very close to enacting one the emergency plans which would have meant the first night would have been spent in local school halls, and sports arenas.

 Fortunately when the storm hit, there weren't that many groups on site, however those that were on site suffered damaged tents and equipment.
 As most of the participants were en-route they were either held at Schiphol Airport, on the buses ( if they were on the way to the camp ) or stuck in delays ( like Melbourne ) at their local airports in their home country's.

The Campsite area at Spaarnwoude is best described as open grass areas, surrounded by trees, and as a result of the storm some of these large trees had come down, not only did the important camp infrastructure need checking to make sure it was safe  such as large marquees, the big video screens, internet/wifi masts etc, the surrounding woodland also needed to be checked for any dangerous trees, which also had to be felled and cleared.

As a result of all these delays, and the fact that the well planned bus system from the Airport to the campsite was rendered inoperable due to the backlog of people stuck at Schiphol, we, like may other groups were very late arriving on site.

The ingredients for the first meal would have usualy been provided by the camp, for the groups to cook, however for those who arrived late, had damaged equipment, or equipment that hadn't arrived the Haarlem Jamborette opened up the Staff catering tent/canteen and provided a hot meal to the Scouts/Guides/Leaders etc

Needless to say the Volunteer staff at the campsite did an amazing job in getting everything up and running again, and making sure that everything was safe for the participants that were due in on the Saturday, Some of those due on Saturday didnt in effect get there until the Early hours on Sunday, and a  by Sunday evening most of the 4,000 had arrived

 Below a video of some of the damage that the storm caused in the surrounding area ( this is not at the campsite )

Above video of storm damage in the surrounding area

Below interview ( in Dutch ) with the camp leader, Robin Midel. use the CC ( subtitle button ) for English subtitles if you cant see them

Also Check your e-mail for the Subcamp Redington' Harbour Song

End of Day 12, last day at the Haarlem Jamborette site

Fortunately unlike the previous morning, this morning was off to a dry start, as most of the tents were down, and the Mess tent/dining shelter were available to use for sleeping accommodation, ( however some of the Scouts chose to sleep outside )
 The remaining tents were soon cleared away, and any excess bagage as well as the tents were loaded in the van.
 Soon it was time to say goodbye to Zharki Scouts from Russia, with who we had been camping with, and Eccleshall who also left around the same time.
 This left just Melbourne, who then proceeded to the main subcamp tent, where we helped put tables away onto the pallete/racks, and with a bit of clearing up in the subcamp main area ( lighthouse ally )
 Soon it was time for us to go as well, so we picked up outr bags, and headed for one last time to Gate B, then onto the bus to Schiphol.
After getting the Scouts and Dave through the electronic check in ( that refused to read passports on cases/covers or with anything else inside ( ie EHIC cards)  we then went on to departures and a brief stop at Mc Donalds followed by a wait in the departure lounge, where the scouts had the chance to go to the shops inside the departure area, or just fall asleep for a while on the seats.
 Before long we were soon on board the aircraft, and heading home.

After gettign off the aircraft we then endured the painfully slow process of passport control at Birmingham Airport, beofre baggage claim, then out and onto a minibus back to Melbourne.

More tomorrow....

Still more to come later

Still to come.....
End of day 12 report
Youtube videos
And more  including the storm which was the reason for the delay on day1
More In the next few days.

More later this evening.....

On the road

Packhorse road, back :)

On the road

Cocksut lane

On the road

Melbourne Arms,
strange things outside  think there called hills

On the road

Now at Ashby tesco roundabout, Scouts have woken up

On the road

Staunton Harold

On the road

Lount tip

On the road

Just passed turn off for Snarestone

On the road

Just passed J11 for burton

New youtube video

YouTube video now up, scouts at schipol on 1st melbourne youtube channel, more to go up later

Moving

Out of the traffic jam now moving, should be back around 6:45 pm

Cleared the airport,

Now on the minibus back and stuck in traffic, sat nav says 6:30 pm, I think it may be later than that, we will soon see.
More updates later

Passport control

Now in the queue pen at birmingham airport for passport control.

In the airport

One of the scouts had left their passport on the plane, and is now returning to fetch it, guess who? (Hint could be a family trait)

Just landed

Just landed at birmingham. Next stop customs, and then all the fun of baggage claim, with Dave, yay.

Photos from the flight

That's it from Holland

Just about to leave, dave and some of the scouts are already asleep next stop Birmingham, even we get back to melbourne we wl have a short badge presentation.

Next stop UK, flight mode on.

On board

Departure time 4:20 Dutch time, 3:20 UK tiome in birmingham