More than 80 scouts sent to hospital from heat exhaustion at World Jamboree opening ceremony

[RememberSchiff]

https://www.facebook.com/WSJ2023USA

Dear World Scout Jamboree Parents and International Service Team Members:

On Friday, August 4, 2023, the US Contingent to the World Scout Jamboree has made the difficult decision that we will be departing the 25th World Scout Jamboree site early because of ongoing extreme weather and resulting conditions at the jamboree site.

While we regret the need for the early departure, the move ensures the safety of our Scouts and alleviates pressure on the jamboree site services and infrastructure.

The US Contingent will have a regular day of jamboree program on August 5, then move to nearby U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys (Camp Humphreys) on August 6 and remain there until August 11. Afterwards, Scouts will resume their planned departure and activities.

The health and safety of our Scouts is our number one priority. On-site leadership has been monitoring weather and site conditions closely and has decided to leave the site early out of safety concerns.

On-site leadership is in continuous communication with the World Organization of the Scout Movement and our South Korean hosts. Our hosts have engaged all levels of their government to support the jamboree and ensure a safe, quality experience for our youth and their leaders. Unfortunately, the extreme heat continues to stress the facilities and infrastructure of this site.

The Boy Scouts of America is grateful to the Korea Scout Association, Korean Government and the World Organization of the Scout Movement for their efforts in the face of this historic climate event.

Thank you for your well wishes and notes of care and concern. We will provide more detail on the activities that will be provided for our scouts as they are developed.

We will continue to provide you with regular updates.

Sincerely,

Lou Paulson

BSA International Commissioner

Brad Valdyke

BSA Head of Contingent

[qwazse]

I’m too emotional for comment. Will recap when WIFi is better.

[AwakeEnergyScouter]

Both Scouterna and Partiolaiset have posted updates after the US contingent pulled out to reconfirm that their contingents are in good spirits and medically fine, intend on staying, and that camp conditions are improving.

https://www-partio-fi.translate.goog/ajankohtaista/jamboree-jatkuu-suunnitellusti/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp

https://www-scouterna-se.translate.goog/aktuellt/wsj23/uppgifter-om-deltagares-halsotillstand-pa-jamboreen/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp&_x_tr_hist=true

 

[Eagle1993]

I've seen mixed updates on FB by some who are present.  Complaints about lack of shade options, lack of water, lack of facilities (4 toilets for 200+), kids putting drinking hoses down their pants to keep cool, no garbage service, etc.  Also, reports that some of the doctors in the hospital supporting the camp have collapsed due to exhaustion.

However, it appears not all sub camps are that bad and some want to stay. Some parents have said their kids told them it wasn't too bad and they want to stay.

Tough call to make and given how much money was spent, I hope BSA finds a way to compensate. 

It sounds like South Korea wasn't ready to host something this large.

[InquisitiveScouter]

6 minutes ago, Eagle1993 said:

Tough call to make and given how much money was spent, I hope BSA finds a way to compensate. 

Maybe another fee increase for all of us? 😜 

[RememberSchiff]

29 minutes ago, Eagle1993 said:

Tough call to make and given how much money was spent, I hope BSA finds a way to compensate. 

It sounds like South Korea wasn't ready to host something this large.

US Contingent $6100/participant:

"The USA contingent is planning for 790 people:

• 14 units of 36 youth and 4 unit leaders (560 total)
• 200 International Service Team (IST) members   (will these adults continue their volunteer work at Jambo site?)
• 30 Contingent Management Team (CMT) members

The timing of refund payments would be dependent on funds returned to the USA Contingent and/or if applicable, insurance claims paid to the USA Contingent.  Additional details are available in the event disclosure section of the jamboree registration process."

https://wsj2023.us/faq/

UK Contingent 3,495.00BP ~ $4456/participant:  "4.7 In circumstances that the Event is cancelled for reasons of force majeure, such as premature cancellation of the Event or a reasonably foreseeable impossibility of the UK Contingent entering South Korea in order to attend, We will use all reasonable endeavours to refund the highest possible proportion of any payments made by You to Us, but this may not be the full Fees paid. "

https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/international-scouts-and-events/international-events/wsj/25wsj-resources/act-together-uk-contingent-terms-and-conditions/

https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/international-scouts-and-events/international-events/wsj/about-the-jamboree/the-big-reveal-fees-and-funding-for-25wsj/

 

IMHO, I doubt the WSJ Host Committee will close the Jamboree early or issue refunds as, so far, nearly 85% of registrants have remained.  As for refunds from a Contingent's insurance or surplus funds? Maybe a discount for a future HA trek?

[Eagle1993]

17 minutes ago, RememberSchiff said:

Maybe a discount for a future HA trek?

That was my thought.  Perhaps a free trip to Summit? I'm sure they wont get back the cash.

[Eagle1993]

A bit more info from FB:

From Jeness Woodard #1

This is a WOSM event and monies went to them, not BSA. Further, MANY other contingents are leaving, the issue is logistics. The US is extending their contract with the bus company previously used, which is why we are able to leave. This also takes time. 1200 people just cannot be moved in an instant, even if we would like them to. Also, whether or not you are having fun depends on the attitude of the leader toward the problem. The issue is not the having fun, it is safety, health, medical care, and lack of food. This would, frankly, be a health emergency in the US and be shut down. And it would still take time to get everyone off site. And others are correct, this is like a summer camp and it would not be judicious of a leader to keep a kid in this type of situation. Watch the recording from this morning's parent video, it has way more info. But for reference, statistically they were expecting 500-600 people in the medical tents daily, there has been 5000-10000 and they cannot track your kids if they go to a hospital.

reasons we have to go: heat, not enough shade - too little, too late. proper storage of food. started at 600 calories of food, getting better - not enough. deplorable sanitation issues. would be a health emergency if it was in the US. YPT issues. weather - typhoon bands are coming. don't believe site can handle it. more torrential rain on Sun and Mon. clear we had to leave based on safety

medical 5000-10000 patients in medical daily. predicted was about 500. Cannot provide enough care. specialist referrals not happening. Americans going to hospitals cannot be tracked. Health of ALL participants is at high risk. Our own medical folks cannot manage the needs without assistance

Monday, depart base. neverland and lego store. Tuesday, baseball game. Wednesday, on base culture day, including water games, bounce house, snow cones, movies on site. Thursday off base- Suan fortress. Led special performance. Live viewing of the closing ceremony - virtual. Down time - use stuff on site. Hot meal in morning and evening. to go meals at lunch. reached out to other contingents to see if they are local and want to interac

Sleeping in middle school gymnasiums, organized by unit, separated by gender, bathrooms too. not restricted this time and greater flexibility on base. Scouts proved to base that they can behave. bringing in games. schedule will be posted.

quarantine for Covid did not exist because of change in gov't policy change. US kid came w/ Covid. Nowhere on site to house sick. US team told them quarantine in tent is not ok and quarantine site reopened. no rapid flu test because it is not flu season in Korea (is in other places). again, plan is to put person in their tent to quarantine. There are other, in my opinion, diseases folks bring - like TB, so no quarantine for those either

medical care on base is being billed to insurance, like it would be if taken to urgent care or ER. Pulled out - UK (4000 scouts), US, many others are leaving and working on logisticsother groups are asking if they can come on our military base as well. that has to go through the embassy and the state department.

[RememberSchiff]

Interesting to compare online information and discussion.

BSA:

https://wsj2023.us/

https://www.facebook.com/WSJ2023USA

UK Scouting Association:

https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/international-scouts-and-events/international-events/wsj/      <---WELL DONE!

https://www.facebook.com/ukcontingent/ 

 

[RememberSchiff]

In an emergency meeting with parents Saturday morning, BSA Chief Scout Executive Roger Mosby announced that the decision to pull the USA Contingent from the Jamboree site and return to Camp Humphreys was more about sanitary conditions than heat or rain. BSA International Commissioner Lou Poulson noted that “the decision didn’t come lightly or easily. We spent extensive time with the U.S. Embassy and Consul General” and it came down to there being no choice.

Along with the USA Contingent’s medical director Dr. Jeff Myers, Poulson highlighted the reasons for the USA Contingent’s departure:

· Oppressive heat. While shade is being brought, it is “too little, too late, and heat is the foundation of what drives other things.”

· Food supply. There have been problems with proper food storage and the number of calories provided to participants. While food supply has improved, it is not enough to alleviate concerns that can result from heat stress and low calorie intake.

· Sanitation. Poulson described “terrible, deplorable conditions,” to include uncleaned toilets, showers with fecal matter, and the risk of health issues that could result. He added, “if this site were in the U.S., it would be declared a health emergency.” Organizers previously announced that cleaning staff were increased from 70 for the entire 40,000-person site to more than 500.

· Youth protection concerns. Insufficient shower facilities were causing youth and adults to share shower facilities, in violation of BSA’s Youth Protection Policy.

· Weather. Oppressive heat but also flooding (which UK contingent noted) . Bands of a typhoon are expected to hit the site soon, and torrential rain is expected starting Sunday. While ditches have been dug to channel runoff, USA Contingent leadership does not believe the site will be able to handle the rainfall.

· Medical facilities. Host country planners expected 500 patients per day but have seen between 5,000 and 10,000 patients per day. Isolation for participants diagnosed with covid were not initially available, and there were no provisions for testing of influenza. Further, referrals to orthopedic and other necessary specialists are not being made, and the organization has unable to track U.S. citizens who were sent to local hospitals for treatment beyond what the Jamboree medical tent can provide.

More at Source:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/heatherwishartsmith/2023/08/05/be-prepared-boy-scout-innovation-in-a-time-of-crisis/?sh=16db93ee170c

Edited August 5, 2023 by RememberSchiff

[mrjohns2]

2 hours ago, Eagle1993 said:

quarantine for Covid did not exist because of change in gov't policy change. US kid came w/ Covid. Nowhere on site to house sick. US team told them quarantine in tent is not ok and quarantine site reopened. no rapid flu test because it is not flu season in Korea (is in other places). again, plan is to put person in their tent to quarantine. There are other, in my opinion, diseases folks bring - like TB, so no quarantine for those either

This is interesting. The National Jamboree had on some staff maps areas shown as quarantine health services and quarantine housing areas. Not used, but it was in the plan. 

[RememberSchiff]

The US contingent determined it was too risky to have "participants on the (Jamboree) site for any period of time, so Scouts will not be bussed in for (Jamboree )closing ceremonies or any other activities. " 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/heatherwishartsmith/2023/08/05/be-prepared-boy-scout-innovation-in-a-time-of-crisis/?sh=16db93ee170c

[MattR]

2 hours ago, Eagle1993 said:

medical 5000-10000 patients in medical daily. predicted was about 500.

I thought there were 40000 participants?

All of these numbers are insane. I went to a mini jamboree when I was a scout. There were scouts from all over Europe (where it was located) and bits and pieces of Asia. I don't think there was more than a thousand scouts, but it was really fun. Maybe one jamboree every 6 months and limit it to 5000?

Wasn't there a post about all the menus everyone could choose from? 600 calories a day? Maybe I eat too much.

Oh, and did anyone notice that the UK scouts paid 2/3 of the US scouts. Ain't nobody getting a refund.

I do feel sorry for all of the scouts.

[RememberSchiff]

12 minutes ago, RememberSchiff said:

The US contingent determined it was too risky to have "participants on the (Jamboree) site for any period of time, so Scouts will not be bussed in for (Jamboree )closing ceremonies or any other activities. " 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/heatherwishartsmith/2023/08/05/be-prepared-boy-scout-innovation-in-a-time-of-crisis/?sh=16db93ee170c

IMHO, if there is a closing ceremony, we should Do Our Best to hike in and attend closing ceremony. 

My $0.01,

[yknot]

2 hours ago, RememberSchiff said:

IMHO, if there is a closing ceremony, we should Do Our Best to hike in and attend closing ceremony. 

My $0.01,

They are 120 miles away at Camp Humphries. It's not possible to hike in if that's what you mean.