Boys and young men from the Cayman Islands will help rekindle the Caribbean flame at the 13th Caribbean Jamboree for Scouts this week in Jamaica.

Groups from throughout the region, and as far away as North America and Czechoslovakia, will - as the slogan suggests - come together in an effort to raise the appreciation and profile of the Boy Scout Association in the Caribbean.

Participants will include older Scouts, venture scouts and young leaders, said Executive Commissioner Winston Hayle.

A local contingent of 12 (nine boys and three leaders) will attend the one-week event, which is being held 8-16 August at the Nature's Way site in Portland, Jamaica.

Once they have set up their campsites, the scouts' initial activities will include a parade of contingents and flags; the singing of national anthems; and official addresses and presentations.

They also will be involved in wholesome activities such as water activities, scouting skills, woodcraft, and computer games.

Special highlights of the week will include a cultural night, a youth forum, and the Chief Commissioner's Conference, which will be attended by regional and international leaders.

The young people will forge closer bonds during camp sing-a-longs, island tours, and other events.

There will also be nightly meetings of all international commissioners, contingent leaders, and other senior scouts.

"This is the 99th year of international scouting," said Mr Hayle. A larger local contingent will attend the Centennial Celebrations in England next year, which will be attended by some 40,000 boys and leaders from around the globe, he added.

Funding for the trip was made possible by the boys and their families, who held various fundraisers, as well as by generous grants from the Youth Ministry and the National Youth Commission.

H.E the Governor Stuart Jack is the Chief Scout of the Cayman Islands.