Canadians at World Scout Jamboree to stay at site as others leave due to heat wave in Korea
CTV
Canadians attending the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea will remain at the event site as thousands of British and American scouts have opted to leave due to a heat wave.
Canadians attending the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea will remain at the event site as thousands of British and American scouts have opted to leave due to a heat wave.
Hundreds of participants at the jamboree, located in Saemangeum, Jeollabuk-do, more than 200 kilometres southwest of the capital Seoul, have been treated for heat-related illness since the event began this week.
This includes nine Canadians, including four youth and five adults, Scouts Canada confirmed. All nine experienced heat stress and received medical assessments before returning to their campsites by Friday morning.
There are 235 youth and 143 volunteers attending the jamboree as part of the Canadian contingent, Scouts Canada says.
"While Scouts Canada youth and volunteers are facing challenges related to the heat, the situation and jamboree infrastructure has improved and the youth report a generally positive experience. As such, the Canadian Contingent will remain on site and continue to monitor the situation," a Scouts Canada spokesperson said in a statement to CTVNews.ca on Saturday.
"We are in daily contact with the contingent, who is also maintaining close connections with participant parents, jamboree organizers, WOSM (World Organization of the Scout Movement) and the Canadian embassy to ensure youth and volunteer safety remains our top priority."
A statement on the Scouts Canada website Saturday added, "Participants remain in good spirits."
