A volunteer from Leicestershire has been selected to join the United Kingdom’s team helping to stage the next World Scout Jamboree in Poland, organisers have confirmed.
Large international gathering to be staged in Gdańsk region
David Hawkins, from Harborough, will be one of the British volunteers involved in bringing the event to life when it takes place in 2027 on Poland’s Baltic coast. The Jamboree — held every four years — is a major international youth gathering that mixes outdoor activities, cultural exchange and large-scale events.
UK Scouts has assembled a contingency of approximately 600 volunteers from across the country to work on the event. The Jamboree itself is expected to attract more than 50,000 participants, chiefly young people aged between 14 and 17, alongside leaders and supporting staff from around the world.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | 26th World Scout Jamboree |
| Location | Gdańsk, Poland |
| Year | 2027 |
| UK volunteers selected | ~600 |
| Expected participants | >50,000 |
Roles and ambitions for volunteers
Organisers say the UK cohort will form part of an international delivery team responsible for a range of tasks. These include running outdoor activities, supporting cultural and educational exchanges, and helping to stage the event’s larger communal and celebratory gatherings.
Participants and volunteers at a Jamboree typically take on practical responsibilities as well as offering mentorship and logistical support. For many in Scouting, attending or helping to run a Jamboree is described as a formative leadership opportunity that builds practical skills and confidence.
“I can’t wait to represent the UK and share my skills with young people from around the world. I want to live the Jamboree dream.”
That was the reaction from David Hawkins after his selection. The Chief Scout, Dwayne Fields, also commented on the announcement and emphasised the developmental value of such assignments.
“Congratulations to David and all the UK volunteers heading to the World Scout Jamboree in Poland. 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.”
National and international significance
For the United Kingdom, contributing a significant volunteer presence to an event of this scale serves several purposes. It supports international youth diplomacy and cultural exchange, allows British volunteers to demonstrate and transfer skills abroad, and strengthens ties with partner Scout associations worldwide.
For the young people who attend as participants, the Jamboree offers exposure to many cultures and new experiences in an organised, supervised environment. For UK volunteers like Hawkins, it is framed as both a service role and a chance to return home with fresh ideas and inspirations to share locally.
- Scale: tens of thousands of young people gather, requiring complex logistics and a large volunteer workforce.
- Opportunity: volunteers deliver activities, cultural programming and large events, often building practical leadership skills.
- Legacy: volunteers are expected to bring experience back to their local Scout groups and communities.
The 26th World Scout Jamboree in 2027 will therefore be both a logistical challenge and an exchange platform. For those selected from the UK, it represents a national contribution to a global event and an individual chance to take part in one of Scouting’s flagship moments.
Further details on role assignments and the full international programme are due to be published by UK Scouts and the international Jamboree organisers as the event approaches.
