Local teenager to play key role at global Scouting event
A Mansfield scout has been selected to join the UK team delivering the 26th World Scout Jamboree in Poland in 2027, one of 600 volunteers chosen nationally to help stage the international gathering.
The young volunteer, Zander O’Hara from Mansfield, will be part of a workforce bringing the Jamboree to life in Gdańsk, where organisers expect more than 50,000 Scouts from across the world to meet, camp and take part in activities designed to promote friendship and cultural exchange.
UK Scouts said Zander will work alongside colleagues from almost every country, taking roles that might include running outdoor activities, supporting cultural exchanges or helping to coordinate large-scale events. The Jamboree, held every four years, offers young people aged 14 to 17 an opportunity to experience new cultures, develop practical skills and forge international friendships.
- Event: 26th World Scout Jamboree
- Year: 2027
- Location: Gdańsk, Poland
- UK volunteers selected: 600
- Expected participants: over 50,000 Scouts
Commenting on his selection, Zander said:
“Scouts is really good, you make so many new friends and it gives me a place to belong. The best thing I have done so far is all the county weekends and going to Alton Towers. I am excited to experience new things at the Jamboree and have a big international adventure.”
Chief Scout Dwayne Fields congratulated the volunteers, including Zander, and underlined the wider aims of Scouting. He said:
“Opportunities like this are what Scouting is all about, bringing people together, building confidence, and showing young people what’s possible when they step outside their comfort zone. The Jamboree is more than an event, it’s a chance to connect with the world, to learn from different cultures, and to come back inspired to make a difference at home.”
What it means for Mansfield
For Mansfield, Zander’s selection is a local success story that reflects the town’s active Scouting community. Local parents and group leaders often say experiences such as residential weekends and national excursions are pivotal for young people’s confidence and social skills — exactly the sort of outcomes UK Scouts expects the Jamboree to amplify on an international stage.
Being part of the delivery team will give Zander practical responsibilities and the chance to develop leadership, event management and cross-cultural communication — skills that are valuable both within Scouting and beyond. The experience of working with young people from across the world may also encourage returning volunteers to set up new activities or projects locally, potentially boosting opportunities for other Mansfield youngsters.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| UK volunteers selected | 600 |
| Expected international participants | 50,000+ |
| Event year | 2027 |
| Location | Gdańsk, Poland |
Organisers say the Jamboree will combine outdoor activities with cultural programmes that highlight Poland’s history and traditions. For volunteers such as Zander, the role is also an opportunity to showcase the values of UK Scouting on a global stage and to exchange ideas that could enrich local sections when they return home.
As Mansfield prepares to cheer on one of its own, local Scout groups will be watching with interest to see how the lessons and contacts made in Poland feed back into community activities here. The selection of a local volunteer serves as a reminder of the reach of community organisations in Mansfield and the pathways they can open up for young people.
Further details about the World Scout Jamboree in 2027 and the roles volunteers will undertake have been published by UK Scouts. Mansfield families involved in Scouting say they hope Zander’s experience will inspire others to take part in county weekends, camps and leadership opportunities that build the next generation of volunteers.
