When you were younger, did you ever want to explore what your older Guide and Scout friends got to experience?  Well, that’s what EIJ in a Day is for! Today we had Guides and Scouts of all ages come along to get an insider into what Essex Jamboree has to offer and by the sounds of things they all seemed to have the best day! They started their day off with an opening ceremony, learning all about Peggy and what Peggy stands for. 

As the different groups wandered around our intriguing campground, their eyes were open to new adventures. As Evelyn, Robyn and Alice from 1st Moulsham Brownies walked past the giant sandpit, all they could think was “this is going to be really fun” - they were overcome with different emotions such as feeling “curious” “intrigued” “nervous” and “excited”. Their first thoughs about the jamboree were “we thought it was going to be small, but it is actually big”. Some of the places the Brownies visited were On Target and Up and Under, they all thought it was “really fun” and “you got to go where you wanted and do your own thing”.

George and Gracie from Gosfield Cubs experienced EIJ in Day for the first time this year and had so much to say about it. They were “excited but a little nervous” to walk into this “very big” campsite. One of their favourite activities was the Tech Lab, they thought it was “so good” and “loved” the 3D printing, as well as getting to participate in new and exciting activities.

If you like to be adventurous then checking out the Survival zone will be the right choice. Brownies Emily, Olivia and Matilda from the Braintree Division enjoyed all parts of the Survival Zone - they participated in the escape room, making smores and dampers, keyring making, learning new knots and even making their own rope! Their “minds were blown” when they entered the jamboree and all they could think was “this is going to be AMAZING”, they were “overjoyed” and “excited”.

Overall, it sounds like the participants from EIJ in a Day had an extraordinary time exploring around and getting a look into what Essex Jamboree is all about. We asked everyone we spoke to one simple question: would you come back again? With every enthusiastic response I received a big “YES, definitely”. They all enjoyed their day and got to “learn new and exciting things”. Emily, Olivia and Matilda even said, “we are looking forward to being guides to be able to stay the whole week!” 

So, if you are considering taking your young people to EIJ in a Day, just listen to how much excitement everyone had this year. Just ask any of them - “you should definitely do it, it’s fun, exciting and you get to experience and learn new things.”