SCOUTS from Berkshire have joined hundreds from around the world in a bid to take part in the 26th World Jamboree.
One hundred young people from the county were among those looking to secure their place in the
The selection weekend, held at the Earleywood Scout Campsite in Ascot, united Scouts and Explorers from all regions of the county, including Newbury, Reading, Slough, Maidenhead, Wokingham, Windsor, and Bracknell.
Over the two days, the Jamboree hopefuls were split into three groups to take part in a range of activities, as they put the best version of themselves forwards to the selection team.
With only 36 places available on the Berkshire Scouts Unit, the process was rigorous and demanding.
Space hopper football, improvised play, fire lighting, debating and blindfold tasks were among the activities, putting teamwork, communications, trust exercises, and Scouting skills at the heart of the camp.
The World Scout Jamboree is a global gathering of Scouts and Guides from around the world, typically held every four years.
The most recent took place in South Korea 2023, while the inaugural Jamboree was held in London in 1920, an indoor event at Olympia.
Around 2,500 young people, aged between 14 and 17, are expected to attend the 26th World Scout Jamboree from the UK, among more than 50,000 in total at the event in Gdańsk, Poland, in 2027.
Berkshire Scouts are preparing for a second visit to Malawi in 2026 after the success of its most recent Project Africa expedition last.
The contingent will then be returning to the UK with a group of Malawi Scouts to join forces at the WINGS Jamboree taking place in Windsor Great Park next July.
Richard Andrews, Unit 56 Team Leader, said: “Selection camp is an important part of any World Scout Jamboree, and we were thrilled by the number of young people across Berkshire who applied.
“It’s an incredibly challenging process to whittle so many to the 36 who will make up the Berkshire Unit going to Poland in 2027.
“The weekend was a great experience for those who attended, making new Scout friends from across the county and having a fun time.”
Sofia from 1st Winnersh Scouts said: “I applied for the World Scout Jamboree selection weekend mainly to make new friends and to meet new people from across the county.”
