The Karuna Expedition

Foundation News

The Mission

  • 1 Scout (Leonardo C. Ocampo)
  • 1 Vespa
  • 1 Side Car
  • 1 Charitable Cause
  • 6 Countries
  • 7000 Kilometers
  • July 2015 (World Scout Jamboree)
  • Facebook
  • Website

The Meaning of Karuna
Karuna is one of the four "divine abodes" of Buddhism, which means Mercy. (Being Thailand and Japan Buddhist to its own extent), along with loving kindness (Pali), sympathetic joy (Mudita) and equanimity (Uphekka). We believe that these abodes are characteristic not only for Thailand or Japan, but also within all the Scouts of the world.

Why? Anyone can take a plane or a boat to travel to a new destination. But the true challenge is pushing one's abilities to the extreme. Based on the adventure of a few English Scouts, Leonardo has come up with the idea of driving a Vespa with a sidecar from Bangkok to Japan (driving through Laos, Vietnam, China and South Korea), which would be about a 7000 km trip.

Record! Leonardo has contacted Guinness World Records to attempt a new record for the longest scooter trip with a sidecar (Claim 446056) and on December 10th, 2013 he received the confirmation and guidelines to establish this record.

With this concept in mind the Karuna Expedition will raise funds for the World Scout Foundation. And our first goal is to raise 1 USD for every kilometer ridden.

The Karuna Expedition is more than just an attempt to break a Guinness World Record, in fact it is much more. He hopes to use the attempt as leverage to promote the fundamentals of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.

The values of Scouting; respect, belief, care, integrity and cooperation are principles integral to the Karuna Expedition and we will advocate them in the hope to encourage the development of tomorrow's generation.

He believes that the Karuna Expedition will inspire the youth of the countries where we will travel as well as the many participants at the World Scout Jamboree, and ignite a desire to explore the world whilst respecting the environment.

Ultimately, through the money we raise for the World Scout Foundation, the Karuna Expedition intend to reach those children from less privileged backgrounds and champion an active outdoor lifestyle; a Scouting lifestyle!

More information and the option to donate on the Karuna Expedition Website.