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Photo Information

Mikah Ricafrente, a Boy Scout with Troop 77, and his father, Master Sgt. Nephtali D. Ricafrente, watch as a world scout volunteer assembles wooden knives in the Boy Scouts of America tent at the 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Kirara-hama, Yamaguchi, Japan, August 1, 2015. This is Japan’s second time hosting the World Scout Jamboree, which occurs every four years. The U.S., Mexico and Canada are co-hosting the 24th World Scout Jamboree in 2019, in West Virginia.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg

MCAS Iwakuni Boy Scouts experience 23rd World Scout Jamboree

1 Aug 2015 | Lance Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Boy Scout Troop 77 and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, residents attended the 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Kirara-hama, Yamaguchi, Japan, August 1, 2015.

The World Scout Jamboree is a 12-day educational event to promote peace and understanding by inviting scouts from different cultures and backgrounds to gather and share individual experiences as scouts. While developing their understanding of other cultures, scouts are striving to “Create a Better World,” a cornerstone of the scout mission.

In keeping with this year’s jamboree theme, “Spirit of Unity,” scouts and station residents interacted with attendees from numerous countries and backgrounds.

With multiple countries and unique attractions, the event provides a foundation for the scouts to network and foster friendships. Each country in attendance had a booth displaying traditional cultural items and clothing, and scout paraphernalia for participants to see some of the distinctive traits of each country.

“The benefit of going was talking to scouts from different nations,” said Col. Robert V. Boucher, commanding officer of MCAS Iwakuni. “Even though the participants came from different countries, they all have one thing in common–the scouts.”

Boucher attended the jamboree with his son, Spencer, who is a Boy Scout with Troop 77. Boucher said this is the first international event for Troop 77, who usually attend small camping trips or other local events.

“I saw the neat excitement my son and his friends had from exchanging patches and currency,” said Boucher. “They were really excited. My son was talking about it all day Sunday. It was a good time for all of the scouts.”

Among the many attractions were cultural dances, traditional Japanese arts and crafts, science displays and a play area. Scouts from around the world displayed their color guard, played drums and danced on stage.

Mikah Ricafrente, a scout with Troop 77, had a collection of patches and neckerchiefs he intended to trade.

“It was pretty cool to meet and talk to other scouts from countries like Russia and Sweden,” said Mikah. “I was pretty excited to trade patches with scouts from other countries.”

With 150 countries and territories in attendance and 34,000 scout participants, this was an opportunity of a lifetime, according to Lance Cpl. Justin Glandon-Hall, an assistant scoutmaster of Scout Troop 77 and broadcast journalist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron aboard MCAS Iwakuni.

“I grew up in the Boy Scouts, but I was never able to attend a World Scout Jamboree,” said Glandon-Hall. “Now, I’m in the Marine Corps (and) stationed in Japan, and I finally get the opportunity to experience a jamboree!”

The World Scout Jamboree is held every four years, with a different country hosting each time. This is Japan’s second time hosting the jamboree since 1971.

“I learned lots of skills that I can show off when I get back home,” said Maciek Kwasnik, a scout from Kildare, Ireland, who attended the jamboree with Troop 77. “It was fun meeting a bunch of people from other countries, too.”

Maciek said he realized that even though the troops from other countries may have different skills, each scout still has the same values. The scouts developed friendships while experiencing the unity that comes with interacting with scouts from other cultures.