August 3, 2017 3.49 pm This story is over 79 months old

Behind the scenes at Lincoln Scouts and Guides festival the size of Horncastle

Over 5,500 Scouts and Guides have taken over the Lincolnshire Showground this week for the 10th annual International Jamboree. Groups from over 20 countries are attending the UK’s largest Jamboree festival with almost 3,000 adult volunteers in support until August 5. The 1st Poacher Jamboree took place 40 years ago with only 3,500 participants but this…

Over 5,500 Scouts and Guides have taken over the Lincolnshire Showground this week for the 10th annual International Jamboree.

Groups from over 20 countries are attending the UK’s largest Jamboree festival with almost 3,000 adult volunteers in support until August 5.

The 1st Poacher Jamboree took place 40 years ago with only 3,500 participants but this year’s Jamboree is providing the 5,500 young people the opportunity to not only create new friendships and share in international Scouting and Guiding cultures, but also to take part in over 200 different activities.

The Lincolnshire Showground has been transformed into a mini town roughly the same size as the village of Horncastle with its own cinema, hospital and on site FM radio station.



Half of the Jamboree participants are from Lincolnshire; the others have come from across the UK and over 20 different countries including Australia, Denmark and Kenya. 



One of the Jamboree Management Team, Alan Scott said: “Poacher is the largest Jamboree to be held in the UK in 2017. People often ask the question, what is a Jamboree, my response is simple, a Jamboree is a unique gathering of Scouting and Guiding from around the world who come together every four years to experience this special event.”
        

The thousands of young people at the festival also got to meet Chief Scout Bear Grylls at the weekend as he launched a special programme.

Bear Grylls launches skills challenge with 5,500 Scouts and Guides in Lincoln