Paula White
Northern News Services

NNSL (Dec 23/98) - Five Yellowknife youths are trading in their parkas and mittens for swimming trunks and sunglasses this week.

The YK1 Ventures took off for Chile Monday night to take part in the World Scout Jamboree.

"Three years of hard work finally paying off," said Venture Chris Mercredi. "It's going to be cool."

The Ventures, who range in age from 15 to 17, will be spending three weeks in the South American country. And it's not winter there.

"It's awesome," Mercredi commented. "Leave for plus 40 and get away from the minus 60 we've got here."

Yellowknife Scout fund-raising chair Beaton MacKenzie, whose son is one of the five attending the jamboree, said there are about 170 Scouts from across Canada heading to Chile. They will be joining about 30,000 boys and girls from around the world there. MacKenzie said the jamboree is a great chance for the youths to experience other cultures.

"The kids always come back a little different," he said. "A little more outgoing, a little more mature."

MacKenzie said world jamborees are held only once every four years, so the Ventures have been planning the trip for about the past three and a half.

"This group worked very hard in their fund-raising events," MacKenzie said. "They were a very well-oiled machine by the time they finished."

During their stay, the boys will be involved in a number of activities, including canoeing, rock climbing and an orienteering competition. But they are only allowed to take one bag to Chile with them, so they have to pack wisely.

"That bag has to take enough socks and underwear to last them," MacKenzie laughed. "They should take a couple sticks of deodorant with them."

MacKenzie believes the Yellowknifers will have the distinction of being the troop that will have travelled the farthest to attend the jamboree. And none of the boys seem too upset about spending Christmas away from home.

"I can't wait to spend it on a beach instead of a snow bank," Mercredi said.

For the parents, however, it might be a different story.

"It's going to be the first time anybody in the family's been away (for Christmas)," MacKenzie said. "Ever."