4 essential items to pack for the 24th World Scout Jamboree 2019

The World Scout Jamboree 2019, this year taking place in West Virginia, USA, is just around the corner.

With less than three weeks to go until thousands of Scouts, aged 14 to 18 from across the Globe, pack their rucksacks and make the long trip to America, you may already be stressing about what to take with you!

We’ve come up with a few ideas that you may have forgotten or not even thought to bring along for the adventure (besides the obvious on your provided packing list).

Snacks

Possibly the most important choice you make before camp, snacks are an essential part of your overall experience.

Make your choice wisely, as you’ll only have a limited weight allowance. Allow yourself some of your favourite treats to get you through the long days of travelling, Jamboree activities, and for those times when the food doesn’t quite fill you up.

It can also be a great conversation starter if you offer to share some with your neighbouring Groups from around the world.

Trading items

Something that many Scouts around the world like to do when they go to a big meeting, camp or in this case, Jamboree, is trade Scouting items from their own Country.

Items could include things like badges, woggles or scarves to symbolise the meeting of Scouts from different Groups and the friendships that are made at the jamboree.

Insect repellent

The weather from July to August in West Virginia is warm and humid with lots of rain and mosquitoes thrive on this kind of weather.

Be prepared and take plenty of insect repellent as you’ll be outdoors for most, if not all, of the time when you’re not sleeping.

The last thing you want is to be bitten by creatures in the wild. For extra protection, make sure you wear long trousers, sleeves and other items that might protect you from mosquitoes.

Camera or diary to document your adventures

You’ll definitely want to keep a record of one of the biggest adventures of your life to fondly look back on, so make sure to take a good quality camera to take plenty of photos.

Some people prefer to make notes of their trips, so that they can remember the memories they made at the World Scout Jamboree.

You could also ask your Scouts’ to take photos and keep diary logs as part of some World Scout Jamboree blog posts on your website’s Latest News and Gallery feature once you’ve returned. It might inspire people to keep a record of their future trips to share with the Group.

For more information on what to take, have a look at the official 2019 World Scout Jamboree Packing List.

Find out more about Scout Group websites here