From our Health and Wellbeing team! 10 Welfare tips
As we draw closer to the adventure-filled days we call the Jamboree, I thought it might be a good time to send you a letter about some health, hygiene and welfare issues to be particularly aware of at the jamboree. It is really important that the Scouts are the best prepared they can be, so they can enjoy the full experience free of sickness, sunburn, tinea, skin rot, gastro, heat stroke or any other of the myriad of afflictions which might strike the unprepared Scout.
But have no fear! Here are 10 welfare tips for you to support your Scout. For some of you, these tips may seem obvious, but they are worth mentioning to ensure everyone has the same information and is prepared for ten days of amazing scouting!
Ten important tips for your welfare, to start preparing now so you are ready for the jamboree:
- Medical Issues
- Medications
- Sunscreen and Hats
- Drinking
- Bug Spray
- Deodorant
- Raincoat
- Appropriate clothing
- Clothes Washing
- Labelling
1. Medical Issues
Please ensure the application system is up to date with any medical issues that your Scout may have. And also let the leaders know. The more information we have, the better equipped we are to keep everyone happy and healthy.
2. Medications
If you need to send your scout with any medications, please ensure they are well labelled, with the Scout’s name, name of the medication, expiry dates and dosage details (how often and when). Ensure the medication logs are complete and sent to your Jamboree Line Leaders
3. Sunscreen and Hats
It’s pretty obvious, but Queensland will be HOT!! Make sure you take plenty of sunscreen with you. You will be given a Jamboree hat to wear, but I recommend packing a second, wide brim or bucket hat in case of misplacement. We realise teenagers tend to prefer baseball caps which they will be allowed to wear out at night, however they will be confiscated if they are tried to be worn during the hot sunny days!
4. Drinking
Scouts need to bring a water bottle and keep hydrated. Get into the habit of constantly drinking from a water bottle. You will need to stay hydrated to keep your body and mind happy and healthy during the Jamboree.
5. Bug Spray
Queensland is well known for its big bugs and bitey things, particularly in the wet season, when we will be there. Please ensure you are well stocked with bug deterrents before you go.
6. Deodorant
After 10 days of “Dreaming It, Living It” there will be some rather stinky scouts, and trust me, your tent mates (and your leaders) will appreciate you using deodorant! Please bring roll-on.
7. Raincoat
Chances are it will rain at the Jamboree. We need to ensure everyone is as dry as we can keep them. It is really important that you bring a proper raincoat. Spray jackets DO NOT keep scouts dry in torrential rainfalls.
8. Appropriate clothing
Think hot, humid and rain!!! Please ensure you are packing the appropriate clothing for the likely weather and activities. Some specific items you should be aware of are:
T-shirts – ensure these are made of a breathable material. Cotton is excellent for this. T-shirts must have a collar and sleeves. A light weight, long-sleeve shirt is also highly recommended.
Pants and shorts – Cotton or synthetic pants are best. Please also ensure that shorts are of a reasonable length. They need to almost reach your knees. You will be very sad and sore if you are wearing short shorts and end up with burnt thighs for ten days. Zip offs are a very good and highly recommended option. Denim is terrible in in this kind of weather and conditions. A little bit of water spreads very quickly throughout denim, and once wet, they are extremely hard to dry. In hot weather, jeans will get sticky and sweaty and cause a serious health threat for mould, chaffing and skin rashes if worn constantly. Please avoid them! Trackies have similar issues on camp, so reserve these for sleeping in only.
Socks – We had some very wet feet on Shakedown Camp, and this is bound to happen again in Queensland weather. Dry socks should be put on daily to prevent foot rot. Scouts may wish to change their socks more often than daily in these conditions, especially if they are undertaking activities where feet get muddy and dirty. Be prepared to wash socks regularly!
Shoes – scouts will have some opportunities to air their feet whilst sitting around camp, but whilst walking around will need sturdy, enclosed shoes. Thongs or crocs are recommended for use in the shower to prevent the spread of tinea but these footwear items can not be used outside the shower stall.
9. Clothes washing
There is every possibility you will be doing a bit of hand scrubbing at the Jamboree to clean your clothing. Most young people today have no idea how to wash a pair of socks by hand. Remember the Scouting motto and Be Prepared! Now you are on holidays, take the opportunity to practise a plunge and scrub! Remember this is why you need to bring some pegs with you.
10. Labelling
Label, label, label. Make sure everything is labelled with your unit number. It will get back to you!\
We are excited for Jamboree now – It can’t come soon enough and I hope that all of you are excited about the massive adventure you are about to have and the new people you get to meet and have fun with.