Coast Scouts hone their skills at Jamboree

Almost 150 members of the Central Coast scouting movement took part in the 10-day 26th Australian Jamboree at Maryborough Showgrounds and Equestrian Park in Queensland in January.

They included members from 20 groups across the Central Coast, including Scouts and Venturer Scouts aged from 11 to 18, supported by Rover Scouts (aged 18-25) and adult leaders.

The event saw more than 6,500 Scouts from across Australia gather for the first Jamboree since 2019, with the 2022 event cancelled due to the pandemic-related border closures.

Attending a Jamboree is the ultimate experience for any Scout, with 10 days of activities, new challenges and opportunities to make friends for life.

Participants had the chance to surf, swim, climb, dance,  laugh and explore, as well as have a go at archery, robotics, laser tag and heaps more.

Participants sold thousands of snags at hundreds of Bunnings sausage sizzles, raffle tickets, real Christmas trees and even fiction books based on Scouts to help raise the funds to attend.

“My son, William, and I collected bottles and cans from our neighbourhood and paid both of our camp fees completely via the return and earn program, as well as our group’s fundraising opportunities,” 1st Mannering Park Venturer Scout Leader Dean Edwards said.

Research by Resilient Youth Australia shows that Scouts develop more confidence and resilience than their peers, resulting in better life satisfaction and increased independence.

Jamboree also provides an opportunity for older Venturer Scouts (14-18) to support as Junior Service Leaders, giving back to the organisation.

Scouts NSW Chief Commissioner Lloyd Nurthen said the Australian Jamboree was one of the biggest events in Scouting.

Hannah Suthers, 14, a Venturer Scout from 1st Gosford Scout Group, attended the Jamboree along with her sister Zoe, 16, also a Venturer Scout from 1st Kanwal Scout Group.

“My favourite part of Jamboree was the motorised esky racing with my Patrol – it’s something you can’t do at any other camp,” Hannah said.

“The best activity was Your Challenge, because it was a really muddy obstacle course with a lot of different challenges.

“You got to work through all kinds of obstacles while getting completely covered in mud, which made it even more fun and rewarding when you finally finished the course.

“I also got to catch up with Scouts I had made friends with at other events, including friends from Canada that I met at Pacific Jamboree in July 2024.”

For Zoe, a highlight of the event was Future Scout Day, where Joey Scouts, Cub Scouts and their families could experience the national Scout camp.

“We got to run a stall and talk to all the Cub Scouts and Joey Scouts who were there that day,” she said.

“We had two parents come up to us with their Joey Scouts and asked where they needed to go, so two other Scouts and I walked with them and showed them.

“While doing this, we were able to talk to the parents about how amazing Scouts becomes as you get older and spoke to the Joey Scouts about what a Jamboree is and how much fun you have for 10 days straight, despite the weather being miserable that day.”