The 26th World Scout Jamboree, Poland 2027
A World Scout Jamboree is a WOSM event, for young people aged between 14 and 18 and is a gathering of Scouts from all over the world for an exciting programme of global development, peace, cultural understanding, adventure, fun and friendship. It takes place every 4 years and is organised by a local organising committee of the host country, supported by volunteers from across the World to manage all the departments needed to create a mini city for 2 weeks
The UK Scout Association has a long history of sending large number of Units (36 young people and four leaders, divided into four patrols) as part of a UK Contingent to attend World Scout Jamborees. The units represent each of the UK’s counties and countries/regions, with unit numbers be allocated based on the numbers of young people in each area. Each Jamboree is a very different experience based on its location and design but there are also many common factors of such an international event,
The UK contingent will set the main Jamboree fee for UK Participants and confirm this cost to counties. This will include the Jamboree fee, travel, accommodation/food, most activities etc.
The local Jamboree unit would then add a top up fee to this cost, decided by the county/country, to cover the cost of training events, local kit (ie T-shirts/hoodies), group equipment etc
The 26th World Scout Jamboree is due to be held in August 2027, with the site located on Wyspa Sobieszewska within the borders of the city of Gdańsk, on the coast of the Baltic Sea in northern Poland.
Who can attend the WSJ?
Any member of the Scout Association, that matches the age criteria, and completes the application and selection processes of the County they live in.
Jamboree Dates?
The WSJ 27 Jamboree date is 30th July to 8th August 2027. However, the UK Contingent is likely to be away for 3 weeks (some days before, and some days afterwards).
What age do you need to be for the WSJ?
To be a participant, you need to be aged 14-17 (Born between 30 July 2009 and 30 July 2013)
To be a member of IST, you need to be 18 and over (Born before 30 July 2009)
To be a Leader, you will PROBABLY need to be born before 1st Jan 2008 (subject to HQ confirmation).
How many spaces will Somerset County Scouts have?
Somerset will get a Full Unit of 36 and 4 Leaders
What is the likely cost of the WSJ?
The cost of the WSJ is made up of two parts. The first is the Somerset County Scouts Training fee, and this has been set at £600 (subject to any significant changes made by the UK Contingent). This is only paid by participants.
The second part is the UK Contingent fee. We will not know this until after the summer 2025 but is likely to be around £3,000 – £4,000. This is paid by participants and leaders.
Will there be a Grant Scheme?
Somerset International Team will be supporting all participants with ideas for fundraising and of course links to local funders / grant providers. The County Team will provide links to District, County and International grant support programmes where available.
Person Specifications
Unit Leader, Deputy and Unit Leadership Team Members – Somerset Unit to World Scout Jamboree
World Scout Jamborees are fantastic events and their impact on those that attend can be, in some circumstances, life changing. Many young people and adults return from Jamborees exhausted but elated! The role of the Unit Leadership team is key in making sure that all the participants in the Unit have a positive experience of the Jamboree – from the moment they are selected right through until the end of the Jamboree experience (which may not be for many months after the Jamboree has ended).
Being a Unit Leader, Deputy Unit Leader or Unit Leadership Team Member is challenging but is also extremely rewarding. The below points indicate some of the skills and experiences that would be beneficial for those applying for a Unit Leader, Deputy Unit Leader or Assistant Leader role. Not everyone will have all the skills, and remember many skills and experiences are transferable from other situations (e.g. family life, work, other voluntary commitments). There are also many skills and experiences that would be valuable, but we have not got room to list every desirable characteristic here. Please use this document (along with the role description) to help focus your application.
| Unit Leader/Deputy Unit Leader | Unit Leadership Team Member | |||
| Essential | Desirable | Essential | Desirable | |
| Experience | ||||
| Working with or understanding 12-18 age group | X | X | ||
| Experience of camping for extended periods | X | X | ||
| Have (or be willing to work towards) appropriate Nights Away permit | X | X | ||
| Jamboree/ international interest and/or experience | X | X | ||
| Working to and delivering projects on budget | X | X | ||
| Have a clear understanding of the methods, policies and values of The Scouts | X | X | ||
| Be prepared to work towards being ready to supervise a Patrol of young people on your own in another country by the time of Jamboree | X | X | ||
| Skills and knowledge | ||||
| Planning or project skills in putting together team building and training events | X | X | ||
| Management skills in working with adults | X | n/a | n/a | |
| Strong team working skills | X | X | ||
| Strong leadership skills in working with young people | X | X | ||
| Delegation skills | X | X | ||
| Decision-making skills | X | |||
| Understanding of diversity and equality issues | X | X | ||
| Communication skills | X | X | ||
| Characteristics | ||||
| Adaptable | X | X | ||
| Calm under pressure | X | X | ||
| Able to maintain a sense of humour | X | X | ||
| Able to deal with difficult situations and manage challenging behaviour and circumstances | X | X | ||
| Communicative and personable, and have access to email and internet | X | X | ||
| Able and keen to take part in activities when necessary | X | X | ||
| Robust physical and mental condition | X | X | ||
Please note:
The Jamboree is physically, mentally and emotionally demanding. Applicants should be aware of the nature of what is expected and be confident that they are able to contribute to all aspects of the Jamboree experience
Applicants should be aware that the Jamboree experience may last up to three weeks subject to final confirmation on the makeup of the experience and therefore will need to be sure they have the support of employers and family to be able to commit to the event. Further, there will be a significant number of weekend and evening commitments in preparation and applicants should be confident they have time available amongst other commitments to fulfil the obligations of the role.
Application and dates for the diary:
We hope that you will consider applying for a position in the leadership teams for the Somerset Units that will be attending the 25th World Scout Jamboree to be held in Gdansk, Poland in 2027.
There are 4 Leader positions available (1 Unit Leaders, 1 Deputy Unit Leaders and 2 Unit Leadership Team Members) that will be assigned to the 1 Unit Somerset has been granted.
We are sure that a large number of adults will want to take part in this event as a Unit Leader and so a role description and person specification has been produced to highlight what the role entails and the skills and experiences we are looking for. Please study these documents carefully and do send an application in. The selection panel are keen that every adult in Somerset that wants to apply should do so, and consider the Jamboree experience a development opportunity for adults as much as for young people.
When you apply, please make sure you read and complete the application form carefully. We anticipate a large number of applications, and we will use what you write in your application form as the basis on which to make a decision about inviting you to a selection event.
This event will be an opportunity for you to tell and show us more about you, why you would like to take on a leadership role at the Jamboree, find out more about how your skills and experiences (in and out of Scouting) would support you to be a great member of the leadership team. As well as a chance for you to meet others, find out more about what being a jamboree leader means and if it is right for you at this point.
Details of Timeline:
- 1st May Online Application open
- 30th May Deadline for receipt of applications [Counties / National)
- By 15th June Invitations issued to selection event
- 5th July Selection event
- By 31 July Notify applicants of outcome
If these dates pose problems for you, please let us know by contacting us on….
The application form will be collected through online application and shared with County representatives as they are submitted (not at the closing date). This can be found on the following page.
Alternative International Experience for unsuccessful applicants.
We know how much our Somerset volunteers get out of the international experience abroad, whether that is a World Scout Jamboree or an alternative trip. We have decided to put on an alternative trip for Somerset scouters, mirroring the same timeline as the World Scout Jamboree and still giving a unique international trip with that jamboree experience. As part of the application process, on the leader’s selection day, we will ask you if not successful if you would be willing to be part of the leadership team to run the Somerset Alternative trip – our SomerTrek 2027 international experience.
The trip will include 1 week in Kandersteg International Scout Centre between (7th – 14th August) – coach of 57, large kitchen & 57 beds in old chalet. The trip could be two weeks (week prior or after) and could include expanding the trip to additional countries, but I will leave this to the creativity and decision making of the leadership team once confirmed.
The key information here is that there is no pass / fail in terms of this application – it maybe a no, sorry you are not selected as part of the jamboree contingent team, but would you consider the alternative Somerset trip?
We do hope that you will apply, and remember, study the person specification and job description carefully and consider what skills and experiences you have that would contribute to ensuring the young people in the Somerset Unit to the World Scout Jamboree have a truly great international experience.
We look forward to receiving your application soon. Good luck!
Somerset Scouts Programme Team