The journey to Poland is officially underway! As we prepare for the 26th World Scout Jamboree, taking the next step in your registration ensures the USA Contingent is ready to represent on the global stage. Below, you will find the necessary details to manage your deposits and keep your adventure on track.
Payment Details & Schedule
To process your payment, please ensure you have your Registration Code ready. You will need to enter this code exactly as provided to ensure the funds are applied to the correct account. You can find your Registration Code in your inbox – email title “PAYMENT DUE: 26th World Scout Jamboree – Poland”
To help you budget for this incredible experience, please mark your calendars with the following milestones. Timely payments are essential for the contingent’s logistical planning.
January 12, 2026: $1,500 Participants / $750 IST
April 13, 2026: $1,500 Participants / $750 IST
September 14, 2026: $1,500 Participants / $750 IST
The USA Contingent CMT hosted the second Town Hall in February 2026 to discuss key details and provide updates on its preparations for the 26th World Scout Jamboree (WSJ), which will take place in Poland in 2027. The meeting agenda includes:
Registration is open now for the 26th World Scout Jamboree, set for July 30 to August 8, 2027, in the historic city of Gdańsk, Poland. This massive global party brings together tens of thousands of Scouts from more than 170 countries, all uniting for 10 days of fun.
The official theme of the 2027 event is “Bravely,” which is all about inspiring young people to step up, take action and drive positive global change.
TheUSA Contingentis your ticket to this international campout. The contingent is made up of three groups: youth participants, the dedicated adult unit leaders and the essential International Service Team (IST).
“You can be camping right next to kids from countries all over the world,” says Bill McKinney, the head of the USA Contingent. “And they’re Scouts, so you know they’re going to be super friendly. Everybody wants to talk. Everyone wants to help each other.”
Who can attend the 2027 World Scout Jamboree?
Youth participants must be between the ages of 14 and 17 during the event.
There are two ways adults ages 18 and older can attend and help make this event unforgettable:
International Service Team: Think of the IST as the heroes behind the scenes. If you’re 18 or older, you’re the staff that makes the entire Jamboree run smoothly, from logistics to program areas. The registration portal currently directs all adult registrants to sign up as IST members first.
Unit Leaders: If your main goal is to lead one of our USA units, those selections are slated to begin in the second quarter of 2026. If this is your only plan, be sure to join the contingent’s mailing list for all the updates regarding the application process.
The Jamboree is so much more than just a typical campout. It’s an opportunity to make friends for life, explore new cultures firsthand and discover what it truly means to be a global citizen.
“A lot of kids have said their favorite activity was cultural day,” says McKinney, “where you go around and you sample different foods, you meet people wearing clothing from their home countries and you really get to see what each country’s culture is like.”
Scouts from different countries celebrate together after arriving at the 2019 World Scout Jamboree. Photograph by Chuck Eaton
What is a World Scout Jamboree?
Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, always envisioned a movement that transcended national boundaries. Following the rapid global expansion of Scouting after 1907, he identified the need for a major international congress.
Despite the interruption of the World War I, the inaugural World Scout Jamboree, initially called the Imperial and International Jamboree, was held in London, England, in the summer of 1920. This first event, however, bore little resemblance to modern, expansive camps, as it was held indoors at the Olympia exhibition hall.
To accommodate 8,000 Scouts from 34 nations, a layer of earth and turf had to be installed on the concrete floor to facilitate tent pitching. The event functioned primarily as a large-scale exhibition and demonstration of Scouting skills and handicrafts, complete with guests such as a baby elephant and a lion cub, reflecting a combination of exhibition and communal activity.
The most significant moment occurred at the closing ceremony when Baden-Powell was proclaimed the Chief Scout of the World by the assembled youth. The honor validated the event’s purpose: establishing a unified, global brotherhood.
Putting the “out” in World Scout Jamboree
The event’s organizers realized quickly, however, something that we all now know: Scouting thrives outdoors. The second Jamboree in Denmark in 1924 successfully transitioned to a traditional camp setting. Subsequent gatherings, such as the 1929 “Coming of Age” Jamboree in Birkenhead, which hosted 50,000 Scouts, and the post-World War II gathering in France (1947), continually reinforced the movement’s dedication to international peace and goodwill.
Today, the World Scout Jamboree continues to evolve, focusing on themes such as sustainability, innovation and global citizenship. At the same time, the core mission remains anchored in Baden-Powell’s final call from 1920: to foster a worldwide spirit of comradeship that develops peace and happiness among all people.
“Part of the value is just being made aware and gaining a greater appreciation of the larger world Scouting community,” says McKinney. “Even the quietest, shyest person gets pulled out of their shell because everyone’s involved, everyone’s active and everyone’s engaged in conversation every day.”
The 26th World Scout Jamboree (WSJ) in Gdańsk, Poland, is rapidly approaching! With the theme “Bravely,” this is a pivotal moment for our Scouts to step out of their comfort zones and engage in a truly global experience.
Here is a step-by-step action plan, packed with fun ideas, that you can use to promote the official USA Contingent at your very next Scout meeting.
I. Make it Real: Meeting Ideas to Drive Global Appeal
The goal is to bring a piece of the “world” right into your meeting space.
Activity
Goal
How to Do It
The “Bravely” Challenge
Encourage youth-led participation and confidence.
Start your meeting by asking: “What is one brave thing you did this week?” Connect this to the Jamboree theme and the courage to travel and meet new people.
Polish Culture Corner
Introduce the host country, Poland.
Teach a few simple Polish phrases (e.g., Cześć – Hello), or serve a simple Polish snack. Show images of Gdańsk and the Baltic Coast.
WSJ Memorabilia Display
Make the Jamboree concrete.
If anyone in your community attended a previous WSJ, invite them to bring their neckerchiefs, patches, or souvenirs for a brief show-and-tell.
The “Gdańsk Harbor” Challenge
Tie into the Jamboree location.
Gdańsk is a major port city. Use ropes and staves to organize a quick pioneering competition to build a small maritime-themed structure or a model dock.
“Friendship Trade” Practice
Rehearse patch trading skills.
Print some scout patches or use stickers and practice “trading” politely, asking about the patch’s background.
II. Leveraging Your Professional Promotional Files
Your USA Contingent graphic designer created two essential tools. Here is how to use them most effectively:
1. The Eye-Catching Flyer: “Adventure Awaits: Join Team USA!”
Audience: Scouts (focus on excitement and adventure).
Meeting Strategy:
The 30-Second Punch: Start the meeting by holding up the flyer and stating clearly: “This is your shot at Poland 2027! For ages 14-17 (at the time of the event). If you’re interested, scan this QR Code now before you forget!” (This creates urgency and immediate action.)
Visual Resource: Post the flyer prominently (on a notice board or projected onto a screen) and ensure the QR Code links directly to the USA Contingent’s official website.
2. The Detailed Brochure: “Your Journey to the World Jamboree”
Audience: Parents and Adult Leaders (focus on logistics and funding).
Meeting Strategy:
Dedicated Parent Time: Hold a quick, separate 5-minute huddle for parents at the start or end of the meeting.
Key Talking Points: The Unit Leader should be prepared to address the costs and fundraising plan (Use the Presentation Deck from the Contingent Town Hall). Being upfront and transparent about the financial commitment gives families the necessary planning time.
Call to Action: “Please take this Brochure home. It contains information on the World Scout Jamboree. It’s the ideal resource to review with your family tonight. You can also scan the QR Codes to get additional details.”
The USA Contingent CMT hosted a Town Hall on Thursday, October 9, 2025, to discuss important details about the 26th World Scout Jamboree (WSJ), which will take place in Poland in 2027. The meeting agenda includes:
Introduction
Previous Jamboree Participants’ Testimonials
Dates, Location, Pre-tour…
Registration Process
International Service Team (Adult Volunteers)
Unit Leader Selection Process
Contingent Logo/Patch
Costs Breakdown
Q&A
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our Contingent Management Team (CMT).
