Scout Radio

KIJ2013

More than 6,500 scouts and guides from around the world arrived in Maidstone for the Kent International Jamboree  to the sound of Scout Radio blasting out party tunes around the site to get the action packed week started.

The Scout Radio team had arrived a few days in advance, to set up the studio in a prime location opposite the main stage. After a few weeks of scorching sun we were battling to get pegs in the ground to secure our towering mast, but a few days on and we were battling to keep the wind and rain from inside our studio! Setting up a radio studio in a field has some challenges.

Jam FM was ready for a very busy week, covering every aspect of the fun filled activities both on and off site at Kent International Jamboree, with a playlist of summer anthems and old favourites to keep the atmosphere alive.

After the opening ceremony was delayed (because the wind proved too much for the stage roof!)  Scout Radio brought the first night celebrations to the subcamps with dance and party tunes until late into the night. The rest of the week followed a jam packed schedule. Mornings kicked off with Kayleigh and Charly presenting  The Breakfast Show live from their sleeping bags whilst eating Cheerios. Listeners at home and on site at the jamboree sent in hundreds of requests and we played those between 11 and 12 each day.

Afterwards Scouts and Guides took over the airwaves for 3 hours, in small groups they were trained to present a show and were let loose in the studio to have their own 20 minute shows. All in all around 300 young people took part in producing their own show which was available online afterwards for their family to listen to at home, we had lots of messages from parents and friends who were very pleased (and very jealous!) to hear what the Scouts and Guides were getting up to.

Late afternoon saw our team out and about the site speaking to people as they tried out archery, circus skills, climbing and on one sunny afternoon Scout Radio’s Owen Ward took his turn in a microlite to give us a taste of the experience from up above the site as well.

Things calmed down a little by early evening with a round up of the day, with highlights and news from the jamboree; which we were told was a very good listen for everyone during dinner (and washing up) time. With dishes packed away it was time for the glow sticks and fancy dress to come out because every night was a busy one, with lots of activities to choose from. There was a club for 14-17 year olds , complete with a hot tub and sand pit, a hang out space full of games and music and of course the main stage with live DJ sets and bands most evenings. Scout Radio provided live coverage of the main stage events and subcamp events, including a number of talent shows and parties. We had a lot of messages from people at home who were tuned in listening to the fantastic performances on the main stage, who simply couldn’t believe they were listening to a Scout and Guiding event.

All in all KIJ was another hectic week of radio broadcast, the  team worked very hard to try new things and cover even more of the action on site.  Look out for us at Norjam 2014, where things are set to be bigger and better!

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