Mission

1 Scout
1 Vespa
1 Side Car
1 Charitable Cause
6 Countries
7000 Kilometers
http://www.facebook.com/karunaexpedition
http://www.karunaexpedition.weebly.com
karunaexpedition@gmail.com

“You see, life is short; yet much of it is wasted by people becoming vegetables, and not very satisfied or satisfactory vegetables at that. Whereas a little roaming about this wonderful globe while they are on it can give them that wider outlook and those greater sympathies which develop the soul in the individual and goodwill and peace in the world.” Baden Powell




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, we have 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. 


With this in mind we have contacted Guinness World Records to attempt a new record for the longest scooter trip with a sidecar (Claim 446056) and on December 10th, 2013 we have received the confirmation and guidelines to establish this record.

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.

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.

Who is behind the Expedition?

Malenito Karuna - Explorer Bear

Malenito Karuna is a Teddy Bear who is looking to raise funds for the World Scout Foundation while attempting to drive from Bangkok, Thailand to Yamaguchi, Japan on a Vespa 150. He will be the sidecar passenger because he can't reach the handlebars. Despite that he will try to bring joy and support to the expedition and anyone he encounters in the trip. In his spare time he spends his time thinking of ways to leave this world a little better than he found it.

Leonardo C. Ocampo - Founder and explorer 


Behind the Vespa will be Leonardo C. Ocampo, a scout for more than 20 years, he started his Scouting career in the 8th Group of Mexico City, and has remained active since. He attended the 19th WSJ in Chile and the 20th WSJ in Thailand as a participant. In the 21st WSJ celebrated in England he was a Security Team Leader and lastly in the 22nd WSJ celebrated in Sweden he was a Subcamp Leader in Bohuslan Subcamp. 
In his spare time he is a professional pilot flying a Boeing 767. 



Otto Nitschamnn - Chief Engineer 


Otto graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso (Ranked No. 1 Engineer College for Hispanics and Overall Ranked No. 7 in the USA in between Harvard and Stanford) with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. 
His experience includes working for the U.S. Department of Energy, NASA, and Navistar, where he was the Lead Field Test Engineer, a job that allowed him to drive 18-Wheelers weighing 80,000 in the harshest conditions possible. 
In his spare time he enjoys rock climbing, travelling and cycling through Chicago.

Katja Anaïs - Chief Grounding Advisor


Katja graduated from the University of Leeds with a B.A. in Law and French. 
Her experience includes working for a "Magic Circle" Law Firm in the U.K. where she gained knowledge in major projects, afterwards she decided to become an in-house counsel for the construction industry and has been doing so since. 
In her spare time she enjoys dancing salsa, travelling on short notice to unknown destinations and keeping the ideas of this project as close to reality as possible to ensure the success of it.

The Impact towards the World Scout Foundation

The World Scout Foundation

The World Scout Foundation, WSF, was inaugurated on 14th February 1969 but reorganized in the current form in 1977. WSF is an international non-profit institution, incorporated under Swiss law, and based in Geneva (Switzerland). The purpose of which is to develop World Scouting by the provision of financial and other support to help develop the World Scout Movement through the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM).

The WSF started its life with a capital of US$ 10,000 and this has now risen to over US$ 62 Million despite economic down turns, enabling annual grants to be made to the WSB to foster and develop young people through Scouting.

• First grant of US$ 180,000 made to WSB in 1980/81.
• The average yearly grant, over the past five years, made to the WSB has been US$ 2 Million.
• The WSF also encourages programs such as “Gifts for Peace” (2007) and "Messengers of Peace" which will begin in 2012 and will unfold internationally to build a better world through education, understanding, tolerance and respect for others, given by Scouts in the form of community projects to other young people and their communities.
His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf (Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus), The King of Sweden, has been the Honorary President and Honorary Chairman since 1977. His Majesty became a Scout in 1956 and he has remained involved since. At that time His Majesty said:

“I have been keenly aware of the moral and educational values of this volunteer movement. It has been with conviction and pride that I have accepted the invitation of the World Scout Foundation to help foster the expansion of Scouting around the globe. Each of us bears a personal responsibility for tomorrow. Scouting is a fine way of preparing for the challenge of the future, and I shall be grateful to all who are prepared to join me in contributing to the promotion of World Scouting.”

Relationship with World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM)

The World Scout Foundation has close contact and fully cooperates with WOSM having a sole objective which is to help develop Scouting and it undertakes to allocate: “not less than 85% of the annual income accruing from its endowment”; although a small portion may be retained as a safeguard against inflation or devaluation of investments, or, if necessary, to cover the costs of its own operations.

His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf, the King of Sweden and Honorary President of the WSF, and Leonardo, Founder and driver of the Karuna Expedition, at the XXII WSJ.

Itinerary of the Expedition

Present – June 30th, 2015

· Guinness World Records

o Approval from GWR to attempt record for “Longest Journey on Scooter with Sidecar”

Approved Claim 446056

· Fundraising Campaigns

· Logistics

o Scooter and sidecar

o Visas, permits, licenses

o Support van

· Media

o Social Networks presence.

· Trial Runs through Thailand for equipment test.

o March –TBD

o May – TBD

o June – TBD

July 1st – 7th , 2015

· Preparations and final checks

July 8th – 28th, 2015

· Start of the Expedition in Bangkok, Thailand.

· Minimum distance to be covered per day 350km

· Proposed route Bangkok – Laos – Vietnam – China – Korea – Japan

· Ferry Route China – Korea & Korea - Japan

Sponsors

Cassiopeia Sponsor

Description: Macintosh HD:Users:leonardo:Desktop:2654187.jpgLa Vaquita Gourmet opened their doors on April 20th, 2013 and offer Exotic and Gourmet Burgers at affordable prizes.
And on top of that they are the creators of the Karuna Burger - an amazing double or single burger with cheese and a secret recipe sauce.
The proceeds of this burger will be donated to the Karuna Expedition.

Couture Sponsor

Description: Macintosh HD:Users:leonardo:Desktop:7515976.jpgEsTYLOW JUNKTiON is a couture, apparel & image design company based out of El Paso Texas and sold exclusively at Shop Manchot (518 W. San Antonio 79901).

Using only the best fabric blends, EsTYLOW JUNKTiON leads the revolution in El Paso Apparel and Couture. Bringing together runway designs and street fashion, founder Silver IsReal uses fresh and hip new ideas to create original concepts for the masses.

How can you benefit from sponsoring the Karuna Expedition?

The Karuna Expedition has developed several marketing and communication strategies that will help enhance your product or brand while supporting the campaign.

Communications Strategy

- Press releases to introduce new partners and sponsors and any major developments, before, during and after the project, this include press conferences to present the project.

- The production of one video every month before the Expedition, and one every day during the Expedition of approximate 3 to 5 minutes.

- High Definition Photography produced, before during and after the expedition.

- Social Network Administration in real time in a constant basis before the expedition and everyday during the expedition.

Investment Return

- Creation of the Hashtag #karunaexpedition in all Social Networks to link the Expedition and your brand.

- Engagement, by having a Reality Show Model, viewers engage with the Expedition Team and will keep attention on the development of the Expedition, through constant updates month to month until July 2015, when 20 days of planning and 20 days of the expedition with daily updates will take place.

- The Brand/Logo will be strategically placed and mentioned through out the Expedition Updates, merchandise and Expedition equipment, exponentially increasing the brand awareness through social media. Using tools like http://www.simplymeasured.com we will be able to have an exact reading of who, where, when, and what is said about the brand in Real Time, giving us the opportunity to understand the market better.

- The Originality of the Expedition, guarantees the virility of the project, which will increase the awareness of the market.

- Guinness World Records has approved the attempt (Claim #446056), which will be used as leverage to help promote your Brand.