Available Now: IST Volunteer Roles Catalog

Available Now: IST Volunteer Roles Catalog

by | Jun 15, 2026 | Announcement, IST

Find Your Vibe for World Scout Jamboree 2027!

Are you ready to join an international, intergenerational team in creating the adventure of a lifetime? The wait is officially over! The International Service Team (IST) Volunteer Roles Catalog for the 26th World Scout Jamboree, Poland 2027 has been launched.

This digital guidebook is your gateway to discovering how you can contribute your unique skills to one of the largest youth events on the planet.

Whether you want to lead activities outdoors, manage behind-the-scenes logistics, or utilize specialized computer skills, this catalog maps out exactly how you can make a difference in Gdańsk.

What is the IST Volunteer Roles Catalog?

The IST Volunteer Roles Catalog provides a comprehensive overview of volunteering opportunities across every single department of the World Scout Jamboree 2027. Inside, you will find detailed breakdowns of:

  • Specific volunteer responsibilities
  • Working conditions on-site and off-site
  • Required skills and qualifications
Why “Roles” and Not “Jobs”?

The planning team purposefully uses the word “role” rather than “job”. This choice directly reflects the core volunteer spirit of the International Service Team—emphasizing collaboration, selfless service, and a shared mission to support young people in creating an unforgettable experience.

Key Features: How to Find Your Perfect Role

Finding the ideal position among hundreds of options can feel overwhelming, but the digital platform makes it easy to filter and search for your match:

  • Smart Pictograms & Icons: Each role lists visual tags that indicate specific working conditions. At a glance, you can see whether a role primarily involves outdoor activity, direct participant interaction, heavy physical activity, mostly seated work, or wheelchair accessibility.
  • Advanced Filtering Options: Narrow down your choices by filtering roles by specific departments or your preferred work environments.
  • Code Search & List View: Know what you are looking for? You can search directly by role codes or switch to a simplified “list view” to see titles grouped neatly by department.
How to Access the Selection Process

While the catalog is currently open for information and browsing, the official application and selection process follows a structured timeline:

  • Contingent Registration: To access the role selection, you must be a registered IST member whose personal data has been submitted by your National Scout Organization’s (NSO) Contingent into the official system. Unregistered individuals will not be able to apply for roles.
  • Rosterfy Account Creation: The submitted data will be used to generate your individual account on the Rosterfy volunteer management and e-learning platform. Crucial Note: Every adult volunteer must have a unique, individual email address registered to access this platform.
  • Submit Your CV: Once your account is active, you can upload your CV, outline your experience, and detail your availability.
What Happens Next? (The IST Timeline)

Preparing for a global event hosting tens of thousands of scouts requires extensive training. Make sure to keep these important milestones in mind as we approach 2027:

  • General IST E-Learning: Comprehensive onboarding modules will introduce you to the core framework of the event.
  • April – June 2027: Role-specific online training tailored to your allocated position.
  • July 2027: On-site, venue-specific training directly in Poland before the participants arrive.
Check Out the Catalog Today!

The planning team notes that the catalog will remain a live digital document. Roles may be adapted, updated, or added as the planning phases progress. Always ensure you are looking at the latest digital version to stay informed.

Head over to the official Jamboree 2027 IST Volunteer Roles Catalog to explore the options, find your vibe, and take the first step toward your World Scout Jamboree adventure!

View IST Volunteer Roles Catalog
Empowering the Next Generation: Support the World Scout Jamboree Scholarship Fund

Empowering the Next Generation: Support the World Scout Jamboree Scholarship Fund

by | Jun 14, 2026 | Announcement

In 2027, the 26th World Scout Jamboree in Poland will bring youth from around the globe together for a life-changing journey of leadership and peace. To ensure financial barriers do not keep deserving scouts from representing the USA Contingent, the Events Scholarship Fund provides critical, needs-based financial assistance.

Here is exactly why your support matters and how you can make a direct contribution today—online or by mail—without needing to navigate external documents.

HOW TO MAKE A DONATION

Why Your Donation Matters

Your contribution directly funds global leadership, inclusivity, and mentorship:

Fostering Inclusivity: Your gift ensures economic constraints do not hinder a scout’s potential, opening international opportunities to youth from all backgrounds.

Developing Global Leaders: Jamboree experiences serve as a massive catalyst for leadership, cross-cultural teamwork, and civic duty that scouts bring back to their home communities.

Supporting Volunteers: Financial aid extends to young adult volunteers, who act as the essential backbone guiding the USA Contingent.

Securing Long-Term Impact: This fund stays open long-term, building a sustainable legacy to support future World Scout Jamborees, Moots, and other international WOSM events.

Tax-Exempt Status: The Boy Scouts of America National Council (EIN 22-1576300) is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. Your contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

Open WSJ Scholarship Pledge Form
Step-by-Step Donation Instructions
Method 1: Secure Online Giving

Online donations are immediate and secure. Use your web browser or phone to give right now:

Step 1: Access the Giving Portal

Click/Paste this link directly into your internet browser:

https://give.scouting.org/a/world-scout-scholarship

(Or simply open your smartphone camera and point it at the QR code on your event flyers to automatically open the page.)

Step 2: Submit Payment

Select your donation amount, choose “Credit/Debit Card” or “Online Payment”, and submit.

Method 2: Mail-In Check Contribution

If you prefer traditional mail, follow these steps to print, fill, and send your contribution:

Step 1: Open and Print the Form
Click to open the file on your device titled WSJ Scholarship Pledge Form – Mail In.pdf. Click the print icon (or press Ctrl+P/Cmd+P) to print a physical copy.

Step 2: Fill Out Your Details
Using a pen, fill in the blank fields on your paper form:

  • Donor Info: Write your Full Name, Address, Email, and Phone Number.
  • Pledge Info: Write your donation amount and check the box for “Check”.
  • Solicitor Info (Optional): If a specific Unit Leader or volunteer spoke with you, list their name.

Step 3: Write Your Check
Address your check exactly as follows to ensure proper routing:

  • Pay to the Order of: Scouting America Foundation
  • Memo Line (Required): You must write WSJ Scholarship

Step 4: Mail the Envelope
Place the printed form and check into an envelope and mail it to:

1325 West Walnut Hill Lane
Attn: International Scouting Department
PO Box 152079
Irving, Texas 75015-2079

Thank you for supporting the USA Contingent!
    Open WSJ Scholarship Pledge Form
    World Scout Jamboree 2027 Scholarship – USA Contingent

    World Scout Jamboree 2027 Scholarship – USA Contingent

    by | Jun 7, 2026 | Announcement, Participants

    World Scout Jamboree 2027: USA Contingent Scholarship Applications Open

    Want to represent the USA Contingent at the 2027 World Scout Jamboree in Gdansk, Poland, but worried about the cost? USA Contingent is committed to making this adventure accessible to every eligible Scout, regardless of financial situation.

    Scholarship applications are officially open! Here is what you need to know to apply.

    Who is Eligible?

    Scholarships are available for Scouts BSA youth who meet the following criteria:

      • Age: Between 14 and 18 as of July 30, 2027.
      • Status: Already registered for the USA Contingent, or actively planning to register.

    How Funding Works

    Awards are based on financial need and other evaluating factors:

      • National Council Scholarships: Can cover up to 50% of the Jamboree fee.
      • Exceptional Cases: Larger awards are highly restricted and only considered in rare situations.
      • Payout: Scholarships are credited after the youth has paid their baseline share of the cost.

    💡 Pro-Tip: Additional financial assistance may also be available directly through your local council or unit. Reach out to them to check for extra support!

    Application Deadlines

    The application process is split into two rounds. Apply early for the best opportunity:

    Application Round

    Submission

    Notification Date

    Round 1

    06/01/26 – 06/30/26

    September 1, 2026

    Round 2

    10/01/26 – 10/31/26

    January 1, 2027

    Note: Recipients will be asked to submit a short thank-you letter upon receiving their award. The application form will not automatically collect personal details like your name or email unless you explicitly provide them.

    Have Questions?

    For questions about eligibility or the application process, contact Bill McKinney (2027 World Scout Jamboree USA Head of Contingent) at usapoland2027@gmail.com.

    Click Here to Start Your Scholarship Application Form

    Aaron on Scouting: “Register now to join the USA contingent at the 2027 World Scout Jamboree in Poland”

    Aaron on Scouting: “Register now to join the USA contingent at the 2027 World Scout Jamboree in Poland”

    by | Nov 19, 2025 | Announcement, IST, Participants

    [Aaron Derr/Aaron on Scouting]

    Gdańsk, here we come.

    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.

    The USA Contingent is 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:

    1. 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.
    2. 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 

     

    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.”

    Click here to learn how to join the USA Contingent for the 2027 World Scout Jamboree.

    See original post: https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2025/11/17/register-now-to-join-the-usa-contingent-at-the-2027-world-scout-jamboree-in-poland/ 

    How to Promote the USA Contingent at Your Scout Meeting

    How to Promote the USA Contingent at Your Scout Meeting

    by | Nov 3, 2025 | Announcement

    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.
    GET THE FLYER FILE

    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.”

    GET THE BROCHURE FILE

    GET THE PRESENTATION – SLIDE DECK FILE