Swedish Jamboree 2026

Megan Aynsley - Trip Report

Planning

Preparation began over a year before the actual trip, with the selection day in March 2025. I was very happy to be selected for the next stage, which took place over a weekend in the New Forest. During the weekend we took part in activities such as Orienteering to see how well we worked together as a team. 

I was lucky enough to be selected for the Sweden 2026 Jamboree and that’s when I was able to get to know the other participants and the leaders in the pre weekends and calls that followed. 

Setting up camp

We gathered near Thatcham the night before the flight to Copenhagen and camped out in Bell tents. The next day we travelled to Heathrow and flew into Copenhagen. We stopped at the airport for a quick meal, then headed off to catch the train to Sweden across the bridge. After a bus trip we arrived at the Jamboree site at gone midnight. Even though it was late, some of the other groups had stayed awake to greet us, which was a lovely welcome. We had our tents up by 1:30am and headed straight to bed!

The next day we built our meal tables and other structures with the Scouts from Sweden and Austria and explored the site. 

The Jamboree

There were over 18,000 people, from 41 countries at site. Our area of camp had people from Sweden, Austria, Tanzania and the UK. We ate with them and took part in activities with the people from our age group.

The event began with an opening ceremony, which we marched to waving our Country and County flags. There was lots of live music and singing and it was amazing to see how many people were there.

Over the course of the week, we took part in all sorts of fun activities following a theme of togetherness. Examples were a maze, castle, a day trip to the local town and a Quarantine activity where we had to do tasks to stop the spread of a disease and save the City! (during which I learned to line dance).

There was so much to do at the Jamboree: badge swapping, firefighting, inflatable Zorbs and many social events every evening such as music and quizzes.

There were also Hub areas based on your age range, which had a games tent, hammocks, a social area and a café. I especially enjoyed the Games tent as I got to play many games with people I met on the trip.

There were also shops such as a gift tent, merchandise tent and juice bar. With other tents for Discos and also craft. Around the site, as well as the homemade meal tables and benches, there were all sorts of wooden constructions. Amongst other things I saw a giant swing, a pirate ship entrance and every area had an amazing wooden entrance.

On the last day the King of Sweden came to visit camp, I saw him three times, including the amazing closing ceremony!

Whilst I was sad to leave the Jamboree the following morning, there was another exciting part to the trip…

Copenhagen

After another bus and train journey we arrived for our three-night stay in Copenhagen. To get to experience two new Countries in one trip was amazing! We headed to the hostel to check in and then went straight out to explore the City and get some food in a food court.

Activities in Copenhagen included visiting the Palace, a boat trip, a scavenger hunt in Ikea, climbing a tower, a museum trip and a wonderful day and night at Tivoli Gardens.

I loved Copenhagen and really enjoyed trying lots of fun rides at Tivoli Gardens. We returned there after dark, where everything was illuminated. I took millions of pictures, as it was all beautiful.

The end of the trip, thoughts and reflections

It was sad to head off to the airport, knowing the trip was coming to an end. I had an amazing 11 days and there were tears all round at Heathrow when we said our goodbyes. We’ve been messaging since the trip and will be having a group call soon to catch up.

It was very kind of the four leaders to give up their own time to make our trip so special and memorable. I loved the trip, especially meeting so many people from both the UK and other countries and it's definitely helped me become more outgoing.

I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and so thankful for the funding that was so kindly given to me to enable this amazing adventure.