Sixteen-year-old Thomas Ray is proud of the badges he’s collected this summer at the World Scout Jamboree. He laid the colourful patches out over a table and described some of them, such as the badge from the Great Salt Lake Council with the Boy Scout oath embroidered in the centre.
Ray received all these emblems from trades with other Scouts he met at the 24th World Scout Jamboree running from July 22 to August 2 at the Summer Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in West Virginia. “The patches for a lot of people are a big part of Scouts,” Ray explained, further saying “You have to trade for them. You can’t buy them.”
This summer, Ray from Assiniboia attended this international event joined by over 40,000 Scouts and about 20,000 leaders from 152 nations. Ray was the only Scout from Assiniboia to participate in this extraordinary occasion with the theme Unlock a New Word. “It was the biggest gathering of youth ever,” Ray said as he discussed the 12-day event hosted by the Boy Scouts of America, Scouts Canada and the Asociación de Scouts de México. Before the Jamboree in West Virginia, Ray stayed at a pre-camp in Washington D.C. where he visited the National Mall and saw many legendary monuments in American history.
Ray enjoyed his time in West Virginia – a state with a topography sharply contrasting with the grasslands of Southwest Saskatchewan. “It’s really mountainous. You’re never walking on a flat surface. There were so many trees. We were in a forest.” Each day, Ray experienced new adventures at the Jamboree, such as white water rafting and ziplining. He also appreciated the many interactions he had with Scouts from all over the world, including Egypt, South Korea and the United Kingdom. “It was a blast to talk with people before the activities,” Ray said.
Scouts have played an important role in Ray’s life, where he’s received training in personal growth. “I’ve learned how to be a leader and work with other people. I’ve also learned how to be nicer and to help others.” Ray would like other teens and children to consider joining Scouts Canada. “I think it would be good for the younger kids to get into. Scouting teaches them skills they can use later in life.”
Ray will be graduating from Assiniboia Composite High School next year. He hopes to become a Vet Tech after he’s received training in Saskatoon. “I really enjoy working with animals,” Ray said.
