Richmond upon Thames Scout District

Expedition to Poland

….to coincide with the 26th World Scout Jamboree

This update: October 2025

It’s early days in planning our trip, but everything you will need to know about the expedition will be published here in due course.

What is a World Scout Jamboree?

The World Scout Jamboree is one of the largest outdoor educational events for youth on the planet!

Tens of thousands of Scouts from all over the world come together to camp outdoors and join in fun activities where they make new friends, learn about other cultures, and develop leadership skills that will last a lifetime. This event is opened to Scouts between the ages of 14 and 17 from all 176 Member Organizations.

Tell me about the Poland World Scout Jamboree in 2027

The next World Scout Jamboree will take place from 30 July to 8 August 2027 in Gdańsk, Poland. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime even life changing event for participants who will join approximately 50,000 other Scouts from all over the world.

Bravely is the motto of Jamboree inspires courage, collaboration, and engagement. This motto holds particular significance in Poland, especially in Gdańsk, a city renowned for its association with the historic Solidarity movement. In Gdańsk, let’s be inspired to make a change and take action for our environment!

Our District will be sending between 5 and 7 lucky Scouts as part of Greater London South West’s allocation as part of the UK Contingent to the Jamboree itself. The selection process will begin soon.

Tell me about Richmond upon Thames Scout District’s Expedition

Taking part in a World Scout Jamboree is an ambition for very many Scouts – but, sadly we can’t all go. So we’re offering everyone an alternative option.

We’ve secured camping at a top quality recreation, residential and camping site – only an hour or two away from the World Scout Jamboree. It’s called Perkoz – it’s near Olszytnek in northern Poland. The stunning site is in woodlands and surrounded by lakes.

The site and the surrounding area offers lots of opportunities for all kinds of activities and excursions.

Who is the Expedition for?

If you are a Scout member and you will be 11 years of age or over in August 2027 – then this is for you!

By August 2027, many of today’s Cubs will be eligible to participate alongside all existing Scouts, Explorers, Network Scouts and all Adult Member Volunteers (which includes Leaders, Trustees, Fellowship, Instructors etc).

Adult Member Volunteers may bring younger family members – but special rules will apply.

What if I’m too young?

The 27th World Scout Jamboree will be held in Denmark in 2031. We’re sure to be thinking about organising a trip to that one as well!

Have the District organised a camp like this before?

Yes – Richmond upon Thames Scout District last had an international expedition to co-incide with a World Scout Jamboree in 2011 – the Jamboree was in Sweden and we split our time between Scout camp sites in Denmark and Sweden. Since then the World Scout Jamborees have been on other continents. So for most of our youth members – and many of our adult members – this will be the first opportunity to visit a World Scout Jamboree and meet up with Scouts from around the world.

What are the dates?

Exact dates will be confirmed for participants as we get closer to the expedition, as this will depend on flights and organising coaches as well as the days that the Jamboree site is open to external visitors. So keep a couple of days either side of 30th July to 8th August free in your diary.

How much?

We won’t know that for definite until we have been able to book flights, our tickets to the World Scout Jamboree etc.

What we can announce is that it will be no more than £1200 per person.

This will cover everything except transport to/from the UK airport and pocket money.

An initial deposit of £100 will secure your place and you will be able to pay in instalments.

The price is a flat price which all participants must pay centrally. There are no discounts for Leaders or anyone else.  Participants are free to fundraise for this educational trip and the District will support such activities and events. Additionally some Group Trustee Boards and/or other sponsors may decide to subsidise some participants.

The payment schedule will be published here in due course.  Instructions about your personal paying in account and how to pay your deposit and subsequent instalments will be sent to you after you have registered. Do not send money directly to the District bank account.

What do we get?

Included in the expedition:

• Return flights to Poland
• Airport transfers in Poland
• All accommodation
• All meals
• Uniform badges and an official UK contingent scarf
• Exclusive expedition merchandise: polo tops, expedition woggles etc.
• Once in a lifetime visit to 26th World Scout Jamboree
• Onsite activities including boating and games
• Town visit(s)
• Forest hike(s) or trek(s)
• Polish culture (food, customs, folklore)
• Travel and personal insurance
• Transport of necessary bulky items (sleeping bag)

How many places?

We are planning for 200 participants, including Adult Volunteers. This trip is excellent value and we are expecting a lot of interest. We are expecting considerable interest too from Groups and Units outside of Richmond upon Thames.

Early registration is highly recommended.

Do I register my interest or book my place via my Scout Group or Explorer Unit?

All aspects of  this international trip are being organised and managed by the Richmond upon Thames District Team, which means that Scout Groups and Explorer Units are not directly involved.

This Expedition will be using the rules and organisation structures which normally apply to centralised Scouting events and international Jamborees.

In essence this means:

• Our Expedition as a whole will be considered a single UK Contingent organised and managed by Richmond upon Thames District
• Every individual participant (of any age) must first register with the District Team using the official form (below)
• The District Contingent will be subdivided into Sub-Camps and ‘Patrols’
• Sub-Camps and Patrols will be the organisational units used for travel, excursions, activities, meals and sleeping accommodation.
• The District Team will appoint suitably experienced and trained adults as Sub-Camp Team Leaders and Patrol Team Leaders
• These Team Leaders will responsible to the District Team
• Individual participants will be allocated to a Sub-camp and Patrol by the District Team
• The District Team will make every effort to ensure that participating friendship / family groups remain together as requested
• The District Team will be responsible for all aspects of this Expedition including:
  • The safety, safeguarding, health and welfare of all participants
  • All central administration – travel documents, insurance, passports, entry tickets, TSA authorisations etc.
  • Finances – participant payments, paying all related supplier invoices, fees, tickets etc., payment authorisations and refunds
  • Expedition management decisions including Go/No Go, dynamic risk, scheduling and planning
• All official communication in relation to this Expedition must be made directly with the District Team

How do I register?

Registration is free and opens 1st November 2025

You will be able to open it here : Registration Form

You are registering your interest in attending. We will then keep you up to date with all aspects of the trip.

A deposit of £100 will be required to guarantee your place. Instructions how to pay this and susequent instalments will be sent to you after registration.

Further contact

If there’s anything specific you need to ask you can contact the organising team by email: poland27@richmondscouts.org.uk