Frequently Asked Questions

A Jamboree is a massive national camp for Scouts aged 11-15. Venturer and Rover Scouts can attend as Junior Service Leaders. 

A Jamboree is 10 days of action, expeditions, entertainment and daily life, camping with more than 10,000 other Scouts.

The Australian Jamborees began in 1934. They have been held on a three-year cycle but are now moving to a four-year cycle, like World Scout Jamborees.

The 27^th Australian Jamboree in Elmore, Victoria is called AJ2028.

The aim of Scouting is to encourage the physical, intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual development of young people.

A Jamboree covers every aspect of the Scout program during an intense 10 days with friends old and new.

Scouting has proven to increase confidence, resilience and positive mental health in young people. Benefits that last a lifetime.

Scouts will have cared for themselves and helped others, done their share of cooking and other chores, while enjoying an amazing range of new experiences – from rock concerts to adventurous expeditions. Plus, time to chill out, and recharge for more fun.

A Jamboree is just two weeks away from home, but Scouts come home two years older!

It’s an experience you will never forget.

AJ2028 will run 29th December 2027 until 7 January 2028. The NSW Contingent travel days will be 28th December and 9th January. 

Visitors Days are TBC.

Australian Jamborees rotate around the Australian mainland States.

AJ2028 will be held in Elmore, Victoria.

A Jamboree Unit includes up to 36 Scouts and usually five adult Leaders from your home state.

Each Jamboree Unit has six Patrols and each Patrol has a Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader.

Jamboree Units usually meet well before the Jamboree so everyone gets to know each other.

(And, sometimes, for a post-Jamboree reunion.)

It is usual for Scouts to be with their home Unit and to be joined by Scouts from other Scout Groups from your state, to form a Jamboree Unit of approximately 36 Scouts.

This is one of the best things about a Jamboree; you make new friends from new places. You may even have Scouts from overseas in your Jamboree Unit.

Not a problem at all! Your Contingent will make sure you’re allocated to a Jamboree Unit and made to feel welcome. This is a great way to make new friends.

Australian Jamborees fully embrace all aspects of Scouts Australia’s exciting youth program.

There will be a huge range of on-site activities, day and night, as well as several major off-site activities.

Scouts will also enjoy quieter activities around the camp site, and live entertainment at night, socialising and making new friends, and completing their turn as Duty Patrol.

Opening and Closing Ceremony are two special Jamboree highlights. As well, there is live music, talent shows, comedy programs and a radio station. Often special guests or artists at the night entertainment are well known musicians and performers.

More information will be shared about the night entertainment once it is confirmed by the Jamboree Organising Committee.

Festival Day is yet to be confirmed and will be promoted to you once we know the date.

Festival Day is a day when the whole Jamboree is on-site (i.e. no off-site expeditions). It is day full of fun and Unit-based activities.

This is also the day that friends and family can visit.

At past Jamborees, CubJam has been a day of activities for Cub Scouts to get a taste of a Jamboree. We are yet to hear if there is a CubJam day for AJ2028.

If there is a CubJam planned for AJ2028, it will be held over a number of days. Cub Scouts from NSW can attend and tour the Jamboree site, enjoy their own Cub Scout activities, and see exciting activities like they will do when they go to a Jamboree as a Scout.

You will sleep in a tent with your Jamboree Unit. For your privacy and comfort, separate sleeping arrangements will be made for different genders. This means you may not be in a tent with only your Jamboree Patrol. As you can imagine, there will be many, many tents to house the thousands of youth and adults sleeping on-site at Jamboree.

So you get plenty of sleep and have enough energy for the next day, everyone is expected to be back in their own campsites soon after the night entertainment has ended.

Your Unit Council – your Jamboree Patrol Leaders – will decide when everyone has to be back at camp each night, and what time is lights out. Sometimes, after a few long days, the Unit Council might decide that everyone is having an early night. Take advantage of early nights because every day at Jamboree is long and busy.

Each Unit will provide large Patrol tents for the youth to sleep in. You’ll need a sleeping bag suitable for the local weather, an inner sheet or lighter cover, and air bed or compact stretcher.

Full gear details will be shared closer to AJ2028 but expect to need the same camping gear you would pack for a very long camp e.g. two pairs of comfortable closed-toe shoes (hiking boots or runners), clothes, underwear and socks enough for 10 days, toiletries (don’t forget deodorant!), towel, shower shoes, personal first aid kit, Scout uniform, rain coat, warm jumper or jacket, hat, beanie, torch.

Talk with your local Scout Leaders. They will help you prepare before the Jamboree.

Closer to AJ2028, more details will be released by Scouts Victoria as to what the site will be like. Stay tuned!

Each Community has toilet blocks (with sanitary bins) and shower blocks – for Scouts and adults.

There will facilities close to every campsite.

These are cleaned several times a day, but it is everyone’s responsibility to treat facilities with care.

Yes, hand-washing clothes is part of the Jamboree experience. It’s good to practise at home.

Jamboree Units will have buckets and detergent for washing clothes.

Your Jamboree fee includes the cost of all the food you will require while you are away from home.

The Duty Patrol will collect fresh food every day from the Jamboree supermarkets.

Jamboree Units can also order extra items as needed; more details about this will be shared closer to AJ2028.

Each Patrol in your Jamboree Unit will take turns at being Duty Patrol and cooking meals for the entire Unit. Leaders will help, where required.

On average each Patrol will do about 1.5 days of being Duty Patrol. Some of the best fun at Jamborees is learning how to cook your own food.

The Jamboree team will accommodate your  special diet and allergy requirements.

Include details of special food requirements or allergies when you complete your AJ2028 registration form.

It is expected that all Jamboree participants travel to and from the Jamboree with your Jamboree Unit.

If this is not possible or if you have exceptional circumstances you can apply for independent travel e.g. your family may be in Victoria for a family holiday and you’ll be joining them immediately following AJ2028.

Yes. Your parents will need to apply via your Contingent before the Jamboree for you to do this.

Travel to off-site activities will be by bus. The Jamboree will use dozens of buses every day.

It is not compulsory to bring your own phone. You can still access information in other ways. More information will be shared as we receive updates from the Jamboree Organising Committee (JOC).

If you decide to take a phone to AJ2028, you are responsible for its care and safety. However, most Jamboree Units have security boxes where you can store items when you don’t need to carry them, e.g. wallets and phones. Your Leaders will let you know when you can request your items from the security box, e.g. after meals.

Ultimately you are responsible for your own property. But your Leaders will help keep it safe when they lock it in your Jamboree Unit’s security box.

Typically, there are a variety of ways to stay in touch with Scouts, and also get an overview of what is happening each day, including live streams, photos and videos, radio, and newsletters. More information on how we will share this will be released closer to the event!

Everybody is welcome in Scouts, and everybody is welcome at Jamboree.

Accessible facilities will include showers, toilets, activities, entertainment, and chill out areas.

Carers can attend AJ2028 to support a youth members. You should discuss this with the NSW Contingent Team.

Start by talking with the NSW Contingent team. They will contact AJ2028 organisers to ensure we can cater for your needs.

Jamboree organisers will ensure that the religious requirements of all participants will be considered, including food requirements and religious observation ceremonies.

Every effort will be made to allow Jamboree attendees to take part in the observance of their personal religious beliefs and attend religious services.

Every Jamboree Unit will have a Leader who will help with first aid and related issues. As well, there are first aid posts around the Jamboree.

The onsite medical centre will be staffed by qualified doctors, nurses and other support staff with extensive medical experience, particularly with young people, who have volunteered to attend AJ2028.

This centre will have beds for those who need to stay overnight for extra care. Agreements will also be in place with local hospitals for more serious cases.

Depending on the type of medication, it can be managed within your Jamboree Unit with the help of your Leaders.

If your medication needs refrigeration, it can be looked after by your Community first aid team.

It is no different to how you would manage at home, school or a normal Scout activity. Make sure you have the correct medication with you and include all details of your condition in your application.

Jamboree activities are designed to be challenging and fun, but safety is always the first priority.

Specialised teams will run most activities, and every aspect of the Jamboree will be checked by our qualified safety professionals.

If you don’t feel comfortable with an activity, speak up. Tell your Patrol Leader, fellow Scouts, Leaders, or Welfare team. There are plenty of people there who care about your welfare and making sure you’re having an awesome Jamboree experience.

Your Unit Leaders have primary care for you. But many other people at the Jamboree will share this duty of care, including the Jamboree organisers, your Jamboree Unit Leaders, Leaders running activities, and your Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader.

There are many people who are at Jamboree just to talk to you if you need someone to listen. These range from other Scouts, your Patrol Leader or Assistant Patrol Leader, your Unit Leaders, or the Jamboree or Contingent welfare teams, or the First Aid teams. There are also independent mental health advisers on site.

There is always someone to help.

Scouting has zero tolerance for bullying or where someone is causing unhappiness for others. Bullying will be initially handled within the Jamboree Unit by the Unit Council and Scout Leaders. However, if necessary, this would be escalated.

Safety measures off-site are similar to those on-site. All off-site activities will provide first aid and welfare support, where needed.

You will do most activities as a Patrol so your Scout friends – including your Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader – will look out for you. Unit Leaders will accompany Patrols on many activities, and Activity and Service Leaders will also ensure you are well looked after.

There is a first time for everything!

By the time you leave to attend AJ2028, you’ll be experienced in being away from home. You will have already attended a number of Scout camps, have spent at least 10 nights under canvas, with at least three of those nights being together.

A Jamboree is different to a Group or District camp. It’s bigger, longer and busier, and because there are so many exciting things happening, you may find that you sometimes forget about home.

Plus there are so many friendly people.

If you feel down, there are Scouts, Leaders and others to help you.

Simply tell your Patrol Leader or Leader if you are tired. Maybe you need to take a break, and do something quieter in a chill out zone, or have an early night.

Jamborees are based on the Patrol system. If a Scout does not wish to do an activity the Patrol will all work together to support the Scout as best they can. This may vary, depending on the circumstances of the activity. But you’ll never be forced to do something if you would prefer not to take part. But please consider giving everything a go. You never know; you may find something new that you love.

The requirement for Scouts to have a minimum of 10 nights camping before the Jamboree is aimed at helping each Scout best prepare for their time at the Jamboree, especially if you’re not used to being away from home.

It’s not unusual, at some point in the Jamboree, to miss some aspects of home. This usually passes quickly with the help of your Scout friends, Leaders and our experienced welfare teams.

In special circumstances, a Scout can return home, but this is very rare.

You need to register to attend Jamboree. You can do this on the NSW Contingent website at  jamboree.nsw.scouts.com.au. Make sure you’ve got permission from your parents or guardians to attend!

In the lead up to the Jamboree, there is fundraising and saving, badgework to be completed, a minimum of 10 nights camping as a Scout (including three nights in a row).

Then it’s time to organise your gear and help organise your Jamboree Unit’s gear.

There will be a number of different badges created for AJ2028. Badge swappers will also bring thousands of different designs to trade.

You can collect interesting and unique badges by swapping one of yours for one of theirs.

Merchandise will be available before and during the Jamboree (and possibly afterwards if any stock remains). Details will be advertised closer to the event.

Merchandise can include jumpers, shirts, hats, scarves, stickers, mascots, badges, towels, sunglasses and more! We’ll let you know when merchandise is available to buy.

The role of the Patrol Leader in the Jamboree Unit is to lead your Patrol on activities and on Duty Patrol. The Patrol Leaders also meet with the Leaders as Unit Council to consider any issues, and how the Jamboree Unit is running.

Patrol Leaders may be elected by the Scouts or chosen by the Unit Leaders.

Often the Jamboree PLs are also PLs in their home Scout Group.

Each Patrol also has an Assistant Patrol Leader.

If someone is taking photos and hasn’t asked if it’s OK and you don’t want to be in the photo, kindly tell them that you don’t want to be in any photos. Or ask your Leaders to tell them.

If this is not immediately possible, tell your Scout Leader as soon as you can, and provide them details of who/when/where the photo was taken.

Yes, we’d love to see the NSW AJ2028 logo everywhere: on websites, social media, and other communications.

Make sure you are using the NSW logo for AJ2028.

Look out for the Brand Book that will help you to understand how to correctly use the logo and art.

Yes and no.

Your events and public fundraisers should clearly identify that you’re raising funds to get to the 2028 Australian Jamboree. Use the logo!

It’s also OK on a locally sold item, like 1st Windy Valley Jamboree cookies, or 1st Windy Valley Jamboree tea towels.

You can also use the logo on clothing for your own Jamboree Unit.

But Scouts Australia owns the branding and the rights to any AJ2028 souvenirs e.g. T-shirts, water bottles, power packs.

If you’re not sure if your idea is OK, please check with the NSW Contingent. We’ll respond promptly and this may save embarrassment and money.

No, this is not a good idea. There will be great merchandise available to everyone that is sustainable, branded and value for money. Don’t buy your own merchandise because it may not be the best value, quality or price.

A great role at any Jamboree is being a Scout Leader within a Jamboree Unit.

The work is constant but the rewards are great – experiencing the Jamboree as the Scouts see it.

The Jamboree also has opportunities for Leaders of all kinds, with specialised skills or a willingness to learn.

If you want to get involved straight away you can contact the NSW Contingent on nsw.contingent@nsw.scouts.com.au

Contact the NSW Contingent organising team via email: nsw.contingent@nsw.scouts.com.au.

NSW AJ2028 website

NSW AJ2028 Facebook page

NSW Contingent AJ2028 Instagram page

Email: nsw.contingent@nsw.scouts.com.au

Main event website