By Susie Williams and Kaitlyn Lafferty
Karen and Paul are two icons who, in their own words, have worked on Essex International Jamboree 2024 “since we cancelled 2020, so essentially 8 years as we didn’t stop planning since 2016” - how impressive! It's tough trying to stay motivated for so long “cancellation was so significant on the jamboree 4 year pattern, so we wanted to prove to everyone we could do this and it can be done”. Karen said “We couldn’t see the event dying” and I think we can all agree and are so grateful for their perseverance as it “Just means so much to people”. They said “If it didn't happen then it might not happen again” which would've been so devastating to end the cycle of essex jamborees after all the history and work that has been put into these events.
Ever wonder how they got the position of Camp Chiefs? They said they have “Both been involved in Essex jamboree for so long”, Paul was “originally involved in 2004 helping with the land agreements for the site and gradually been called into more things”. Karen in “1992 was in the wrong place at the wrong time when they were looking for a deputy camp chief to represent girl guides, and I knew too many people who nominated me”. Then in “2012 as deputies and we struck up a good working relationship and haven't been able to shake eachother Off since!” what lovely story.
They both have been involved in Guiding and Scouting “Since brownies and cubs” making that “40 years” for Karen! They are both “So passionate about keeping guiding and scouting spirit in the camp, not losing those roots, we don't want to turn this into a festival” which really shined through in every aspect of EIJ 2024.
Excitement about putting an event on this large must be uncontainable as Karen said “I get a real thrill from seeing people having good honest fun and enjoying themselves, it keeps us young”.
If they were to do anything differently What do you think it would be? They said “For this event, nothing hasn't worked and we have an awful lot of ideas brewing for the next one. I couldn't give you one thing that I would change for this event, it has exceeded my expectations” and I think we can all agree on what a great time we have all had, staff, youth and leaders!
We would like the express our gratitude and appreciation to these two lovely people for putting such an amazing event on for everyone, so thank you Karen and Paul.