FOLLOW ME – Report from the EUD-camporee in Friedensau

The woods around Friedensau resounded with joy. Where otherwise only foxes on silent paws and squirrels scurry around, 2,700 scouts and guides were romping about at the beginning of August! Young people from Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Italy, Austria, Portugal, Romania, Switzerland, Spain, the Czech Republic and Germany came together for the 14th EUD Camporee. A cross-divisional scout camp takes place every four years and in future every five years. In purely mathematical terms, this is virtually once in a scout's life, as the target group of camporees is between the ages of 12 and 15.

Tent city by the Ihle

The large tent city was set up on the southern side of the Ihle on 31 July, and colourful flags waved devoutly in the wind. Each country camp was decorated with impressive entrance gates, and Switzerland even brought its own mountain to the Jerichow lowlands! Seven days full of games, fun and spiritual life followed. With the help of volunteers, the Camporee ran smoothly and the group and country leaders managed the camps. International friendships were forged at the so-called "City Life". Each country introduced itself with music, puzzles, food and exciting tasks! Singing an Italian song, learning a Bulgarian folk dance or tasting Austrian Kaiserschmarrn – anything is possible at City Life! Under the motto "Follow me – Share your Story", a couple from Spain talked about their life and what they experienced with Jesus.

Gathering experiences, networking

The speakers invited young and old to reflect on discipleship and God's love for us so that everyone could take something away with them into their everyday lives. The camporee was a really enriching experience that showed me how important and valuable scouting work is in our church. There is also a lot to experience as a volunteer, and you have the opportunity to network with people from all over Europe," says Lillian Hagemann, a Friedensau student.

See you again in five years

There were also opportunities to put your faith into practice at the workshops on offer.

The bad weather was successfully defied, and so no rain shower, no matter how heavy, could extinguish the camporee's good humour and spirit of adventure. What remains are the many memories, catchy tunes from the Jesus musical, one or the other scout scarf exchanged, a huge donation for ADRA and, of course, the friendships! Now, a few weeks later, only the flattened meadow south of the Ihle bears witness to a tent city of biblical proportions. But don't worry: the next Camporee will take place in Spain in five years' time!"

Itje Zepnik, theology student in Friedensau