Got a question about AJ2022? Check out our FAQs below. If you still can't find an answer, you can
email the NSW Contingent Team at [email protected].
To download a PDF of the FAQs Click here (updated 25 October 2020). Make sure to check back regularly for any new FAQs.
A Jamboree is a massive national camp for Scouts aged 11-14.
Most Scouts get only one chance in their life to enjoy a Jamboree as Scout.
Leaders, Venturers and Rovers can also attend – they help out with running the event.
A Jamboree is 11 days of action, expeditions, entertainment and daily life, camping with 11,500 others.
Australian Jamboree began in 1934 and are held every three years.
(World Jamborees are held every four years.)
The 26th Australian Jamboree is called AJ2022 for short.
The aim of Scouting is to encourage the physical, intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual development of young people.
A Jamboree covers every aspect of the Scout program during an intense 11 days with friends old and new.
Scouting is proven to generate increased resilience in young people, and benefits like more positive mental health, that last a lifetime.
Scouts will have cared for themselves and helped others, done their share of cooking and other chores, while enjoying an amazing range of new experiences – from rock concerts to adventurous expeditions.
Plus time to chill out, and recharge for more fun.
A Jamboree is just two weeks away from home but Scouts come home two years older!
It’s an experience you will never forget.
AJ2022 opens on Monday January 3 2022 and closes on the night of Thursday January 13.
Visitors day is Sunday January 9.
The Jamboree is 11 days on the Jamboree site at Elmore, plus a day or two of travelling to and from home.
Victoria – as host State – move in a day early, on January 2, and are last to head home, on January 4.
Australian Jamborees rotate around the Australian mainland States.
AJ2022 is at Elmore in Northern Victoria, 2.5 hours from Melbourne, and near the major towns of Echuca and Bendigo.
It’s the same location as AJ2007.
The Jamboree will take over the Elmore Events Centre, one of Victoria’s major locations for agricultural events like field days and equestrian sport.
The complete eligibility requirements for NSW participants – Scouts, Venturers, Rovers and Leaders – can be found here.
For Scouts, you must not have turned 15 by January 3 2022.
There are also requirements like badgework and camping experience.
Venturers, Rover, and Leader of all types can also help out and enjoy the Jamboree.
Check out the website for full details on eligibility.
To attend as a Scout, you must be a registered have not turned 15 on January 3 2022.
Scouts must have either:
- Program Essentials Milestone 1, as well as Outdoor Adventure Skills Stage 3 in Bushcraft, Bushwalking, and Camping;
OR
- The Pioneer Badge.
Applications will open when the current uncertainty over coronavirus is resolved.
These means applications will open later than usual – and the application period will be shorter than usual.
That’s why we urge all Scouts, Leaders, Venturers and Rovers to Express their Interest now.
Those who have registered will be the first to hear when applications open – so you won’t miss out.
Expressions of Interest are at www.aj2022.com.au/eoi
Closing dates vary as some Contingents need to book transport well in advance.
At this stage, there is no final closing date for NSW. You will be informed in early 2021.
While we are all working hard for a Jamboree in January 2022, if there is any doubt, a decision will be made in early 2021.
It would be really sad to postpone the Jamboree for a year, but we’d be even better prepared.
The Jamboree Organising Committee will make a final decision about AJ2022 in early 2021, before anyone has had to make a payment.
The decision will be made in part on whether a vaccination will be available by 2022, whether it will be possible to hold an event that is completely safe, and also on the number of Expressions of Interest we have received.
A Jamboree Unit includes up to 36 Scouts and usually five adult Leaders from your home State.
The Unit has six Patrols and each Patrol has a Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader
Jamboree Units usually meet well before the Jamboree so everyone gets to know each other.
(And, sometimes, for a post-Jamboree reunion.)
Yes. Your home Unit will be joined by Scouts from a few other Scout Groups from your State to form a Jamboree Unit of approximately 36 Scouts.
This is one of the best bits about a Jamboree – new friends from new places. You may even have Scouts from overseas in your Jamboree Unit.
Not a problem at all! Your Contingent will make sure you are allocated to a Jamboree Unit and made to feel welcome. This is a great way to make heaps of new friends.
Families can visit the Jamboree on Festival day, Sunday January 9 – a day that all Scouts will be on-site.
This will be the first Australian Jamboree to fully embrace all aspects of Scouts Australia’s exciting new program.
Go the AJ2022 website and follow the prompts under Contingents to International. There is plenty of information there to assist you in getting to AJ2022.
There will be a huge range of on-site activities, day and night, as well as several major off-site activities.
Scouts will also enjoy:
- Quieter activities around the camp site
- Live entertainment at night
- Socialising and making new friends
- and completing their turn as Duty Patrol.
Yes. Patrols will go on overnight expeditions for special adventures.
The usual Jamboree highlights include:
- Opening and closing ceremonies
- Live music
- Talent shows
- Comedy
- the radio station.
But AJ2022 is planning some special entertainment highlights. More later …
Festival Day – on Sunday January 9 2022 – replaces Market Day.
It’s a day when the whole Jamboree is on-site. There are no off-site expeditions this day.
It is day full of fun and Unit-based activities.
This is also the day that friends and family can visit.
CubJam is a day of activities for Cub Scouts to get a taste of a Jamboree.
It will be held over a number of days.
Cubs from NSW can attend to tour the Jamboree site, enjoy their own Cub Scout activity, and see exciting activities like they will do when they are Scouts and go to AJ2025 in Queensland.
You sleep in tents with your Jamboree Unit. Boys and girls sleep separately, so it won’t be the same people as your Jamboree Patrol.
In fact, more than 12,000 youth and adults will be sleeping on-site in tents.
Everyone is expected back in their own campsites soon after any night entertainment has ended.
But your Unit Council – your Jamboree Patrol Leaders – will decide when everyone has to be back at camp each night, and what time is lights out.
Sometimes, after a few long days, the Unit Council might decide that everyone is having an early night.
You will need a sleeping bag, inner sheet, and air bed or compact stretcher.
Full gear details will be shared later, but it’s the usual camping gear for a very long camp:
- two pairs of comfortable closed-toe shoes (hiking boots or runners)
- enough clothes, underwear and socks
- toiletries (don’t forget deodorant!!)
- towel
- shower shoes
- personal first aid kit
- Scout uniform
- rain coat
- warm jumper or jacket
- hat
- beanie
- torch.
Talk with your local Scout Leaders. They will help you prepare before the Jamboree.
They are also known as Subcamps and are like suburbs within the Jamboree site.
Each has its own amenities like toilets and shower blocks, food collection points, garbage disposal points, and chill out zones.
Each Community has a management team that looks after facilities, welfare and assisting in food distribution.
There will be three for Scout camping – each with about 80 Jamboree Units – as well as separate Communities for Service Leaders and Venturers.
Your Jamboree Unit will have its own campsite within your Community, likely to be 20m x 30m.
For two weeks AJ2022 will be Victoria’s 29th largest town, with all the facilities of a regular town.
The shopping centre will sell snacks, souvenirs, camping gear, postal services and much more.
There are also first aid posts and a medical centre with beds for those who need overnight care, plus a 24-hour police station and fire station.
There is a main arena for major entertainment and ceremonies, as well as a mini-arena, and chill out sites where can relax and chat with friends, read, play chess or watch the cricket on TV. Depending on your mood, there is always something to do.
You will also receive a daily NSW Contingent newspaper, delivered to your campsite late each afternoon before dinner.
Each sub-camp has toilet blocks (with sanitary bins) and shower blocks, for Scouts and adults.
There will facilities close to every campsite.
These are cleaned several times a day, but it is everyone’s responsibility to treat facilities with care.
Yes, hand-washing clothes is part of the Jamboree experience. It’s good to practice at home.
Jamboree Units will have buckets and detergent for washing clothes.
The Jamboree fee covers all food.
Food is collected fresh daily by the Duty Patrol from the Jamboree supermarkets.
Jamboree Units can also order extra items as needed, using the AJ2022 app.
Each Patrol in your Jamboree Unit will take turns at being Duty Patrol, and cooking the meal for the entire Unit. Leaders will help.
On average each Patrol will do about 1.5 days of being Duty Patrol.
Some of the best fun at Jamborees is learning how to cook your own food.
All special diets and allergies will be accommodated.
You can advise of special food requirements or allergies when you complete your AJ2022 application.
It is recommended that you travel to and from the Jamboree with your Jamboree Unit.
But, you can apply for independent travel. For example, if your family will holiday in Victoria after the Jamboree.
Yes. Your parents will need to apply via your Contingent before the Jamboree for you to do this.
Travel to off-site activities will be by bus. The Jamboree will use dozens of buses every day.
The Jamboree is very cost-conscious, especially in these challenging times. Rather than the usual increases due to three years of inflation, we are minimising or freezing increases.
The total cost of the Jamboree has two components – the Jamboree fee and the Contingent cost (different for each Contingent, depending on factors like transport etc).
The Jamboree fee usually increases by three years of CPI since the last Jamboree. (This could be 3 to 9 per cent.) For AJ2022, the Jamboree fee for Scouts has risen $100 since AJ2019.
For Leaders, who give up two weeks annual leave, and spend months planning for their Scouts to go to the Jamboree, the Jamboree fee has been frozen at the AJ2019 cost.
The same for Venturers and Rovers.
The NSW Contingent feel is actually lower than for AJ2019.
The cost per Scout is A$1,830 and is A$1,265 for Service leaders (including Venturers and Rovers).
Everything you need at the Jamboree is provided – meals, snacks, activities, transport, and more.
That said, Scouts often like to purchase drinks or snacks, or buy presents for their family, or badges and other souvenirs.
Our AJ2019 Scout advisors suggest $10 a day.
You may be asked to transfer your spending money into your Jamboree Unit bank account or to bring cash in an envelope or zip-lock bag with your name clearly written on it.
Most Units keep valuables in a locked box, and you can ask your Leaders for money as you need it.
There are two types of fundraising – personal saving toward the Jamboree, and shared fundraising by your Scout Group.
Scouts can save toward the Jamboree by banking any loose coins, putting aside some pocket money each week, asking for a Jamboree contribution as a birthday or Christmas present, doing odd jobs for extended family and close neighbours (car washing, lawn mowing, baby sitting), selling home-grown vegetables or baked goods or jam or other items, raising a calf or lamb for market, and by supporting your Scout Group’s fundraising.
Earning your way is an important part of the Jamboree experience, and a great lesson for later life.
Scout Groups tend to put on a few bigger events and share this equally with all participating Jamboree Scouts.
Typical ideas include Bunnings sausage sizzles, a raffle, a well-planned trivia night with extra cash games, a garage sale, or community clean-ups or car park duty.
Too many events are hard. Better to plan a few bigger ones.
It’s important to fundraise from people outside your own Group – not work hard to recycle your own money.
Financial support is available for those who can’t otherwise afford to get to the Jamboree.
There are State and national funds that can help.
Check with your Contingent as to what support may be available.
A smart phone is a useful tool – and the AJ2022 app will provide the latest information on program, entertainment, catering, and much more. The Terrain app on smart phones will allow Scouts to record any Participate, Assist and Leads during the Jamboree.
But it is not compulsory to bring your own phone. You can still access information in other ways. Perhaps borrow others’ phones, and keep paper records of any badgework till you’re home.
The Scout Shop will sell power packs to recharge phones. When the power pack is empty, it can be returned to the Scout Shop and swapped for a charged one (at no cost). After the Jamboree the AJ2022 power pack is yours to keep.
Some Units also run solar systems to charge their campsite lighting and allow phone charging.
You are. However, most Jamboree Units have security boxes where you can store items like wallets and phones when you don’t need them. Leaders usually allow access to the security box a few times a day, like after meals.
Ultimately you are responsible for your own property. But your Leaders will help keep it safe when they lock it in your Jamboree Unit’s security box.
Apart from your own phone, there will be an internet café, public phones and a post office. You can send letters and postcards to family and friends. It’s old-school, but always appreciated.
Families should understand that Jamboree life is very busy and sometimes they may not hear from their Scout for several days.
Families can keep in touch with what’s happening through AJ2022 social media and the AJ2022 website. The daily newspaper can be downloaded from the website, and the Jamboree radio and major events will be live-streamed. Video cameras will allow those at home – or anywhere in the world – to see what is happening live at several Jamboree locations.
The Founder of Scouting, Baden-Powell, was determined from the very beginning of Scouting, more than 100 years ago, that Scouting was to be available to all – regardless of nationality, faith, ability and more.
Accessible facilities include showers, toilets, activities, entertainment, and chill out areas.
Carers are able to attend the Jamboree to support youth members. You should discuss this with the NSW Contingent Team.
Start by talking with the NSW Contingent team. They will contact AJ2022 organisers to ensure your needs can be catered for.
Jamboree organisers will ensure that the religions of all participants will be catered for. Including food requirements, and religious observation ceremonies.
Every effort will be made to identify those who wish to take part in the observance of their own religious beliefs, to ensure that all Scouts are given the opportunity to attend services, should they wish.
The onsite medical centre will be staffed by volunteer doctors, nurses and other support staff with extensive medical experience, particularly with young people.
This centre will have beds for those who need to stay overnight for extra care.
Agreements will also be in place with local hospitals for more serious cases.
The nearest hospitals to Elmore are at Echuca (45 kms) and Bendigo (46 kms).
There are also first aid posts around the Jamboree.
And every Jamboree Unit will have an Assistant Unit Leader who will help with first aid and related issues.
As a large town, Victoria Police will have a 24-hour police station throughout the Jamboree. Many of the police on duty will be current or former Scouts, so they’re very friendly.
The Jamboree will also have its own 24-hour fire station.
Depending on the type of medication, it can be managed within your Jamboree Unit with the help of your Leaders.
If your medication needs refrigeration, it can be looked after by your Community first aid team.
It is no different to how you would manage at home, school or a normal Scout activity. Make sure you have the correct medication with you and include all details of your condition in your application.
Jamboree activities are designed to be challenging and fun, but safety is always the first priority.
Specialised teams will run most activities, and every aspect of the Jamboree will be checked by our qualified safety professionals.
If you don’t feel comfortable with an activity, speak up.
Tell your Patrol Leader, fellow Scouts, Leaders, or Welfare team.
Primarily it will be your Unit Leaders.
But many other people at the Jamboree will share this duty of care, including:
- The Jamboree organisers
- Your Jamboree Unit Leaders
- Leaders running activities
- Your Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader
There are many people you can talk with – the choice is yours.
These range from your fellow Scouts, your Patrol Leader or Assistant Patrol Leader, your Unit Leaders, or the Jamboree or Contingent welfare teams, or the First Aid teams.
There are also independent mental health advisers on site.
There is always someone to help.
Scouting has zero tolerance for bullying. If anyone is causing unhappiness for others, this would initially be handled within the Jamboree Unit by the Unit Council and Scout Leaders. However, if necessary, this would be escalated.
Safety measures off-site are similar to those on-site. All off-site activities will provide first aid and welfare support if needed.
You will do most activities as a Patrol so your fellow Scouts including your Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader will look out for you. Unit Leaders will accompany Patrols on many activities, and Activity and Service Leaders will also ensure you are well looked after.
There is a first time for everything!
But, by AJ2022, you will be experienced. You will have already done a number of Scout camps, at least 10 nights under canvas, with at least three nights continuously.
Of course, a Jamboree is different – bigger and longer. It’s also busier, so you may find that you sometimes forget about home, because you are doing so many exciting things.
Plus there are so many friendly people. If you feel down, there are Scouts, Leaders, and others to help out.
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Please tell your Patrol Leader or Leader if you are tired. Maybe you need to take a break, and do something quieter in a chill out zone, or get an early night.
Jamborees are based on the Patrol system. If a Scout does not wish to do an activity the Patrol will all work together to support the Scout as best they can. This may vary, depending on the circumstances of the activity. But you’ll never be forced to do something you don’t want to.
The requirement to have a minimum of 10 nights camping as a Scout before the Jamboree is aimed at helping each Scout best prepare for their time at the Jamboree.
But it is not unusual, at some point in the Jamboree, to miss some aspects of home.
This usually passes quickly with the help of fellow Scouts, Leaders and our experienced welfare teams.
Ultimately, in special circumstances, a Scout could return home. But this is very rare.
Initially – now – you need to register your Expression of Interest at www.aj2022.com.au/eoi
When applications officially open, go back online to fill in all the required information.
In the lead up to the Jamboree, there is fundraising and saving, badgework to be completed, a minimum of 10 nights camping as a Scout (including three nights in a row).
Then it’s time to organise your gear.
AJ2022 will have a number of badges created for the event.
Badge swappers will also bring thousands of different designs to trade.
You can collect interesting and unique badges by swapping one of yours for one of theirs.
Merchandise will be available before and during the Jamboree (and possibly afterwards if any stock remains).
Details will be advertised closer to the event.
You will be able to order online, or purchase AJ2022 and Contingent souvenirs, and camping gear, from the Scout Shop at Elmore.
Merchandise can include jumpers, shirts, hats, scarves, stickers, mascots, badges, towels, sunglasses and more!
The role of the Patrol Leader within the Jamboree Unit is to lead your Patrol on activities and on Duty Patrol.
The Patrol Leaders also meet with the Leaders as Unit Council to consider any issues, and how the Jamboree Unit is running.
Patrol Leaders may be elected by all the Scouts, or chosen by the Unit Leaders.
Often the Jamboree PLs are also PLs in their home Scout Group.
Each Patrol also has an Assistant Patrol Leader.
If someone is taking photos and hasn’t asked if it’s OK, please tell them that you don’t want to be in any photos. Or ask your Leaders to tell them.
If this is not immediately possible, tell your Scout Leader as soon as possible, with any details of who/when/where the photo was taken.
Yes, we’d love to see the NSW AJ2022 logo everywhere: on websites, social media, and other communications.
Please make sure you are using the NSW logo for AJ2022.
There will soon be a Brand Book available to help guide you on how to use the logo and art.
Yes and No. Your events and public fundraisers should clearly identify that you’re raising funds to get to AJ2022.
Use the logo!
It’s also OK on a locally sold item, like 1st Windy Valley Jamboree jam, or 1st Windy Valley Jamboree tea towels.
You can also use the logo on clothing for your own Jamboree Unit.
But Scouts Australia owns the branding and the rights to any AJ2022 souvenirs like hats, T-shirts, coats, water bottles, power packs, etc.
If you’re not sure if your idea is OK, please check with [email protected]. We will respond promptly and this may save embarrassment and money.
No, this is not a good idea. You’re spending more money than you need, when there will be great merchandise available to everyone that is sustainable, branded and value for money.
A great role at any Jamboree is being a Scout Leader within a Jamboree Unit.
The work is constant but the rewards are great – experiencing the Jamboree as the Scouts see it.
The Jamboree also has opportunities for Leaders of all kinds, with specialised skills or a willingness to learn.
If you want to get involved straight away you can contact the NSW Contingent on [email protected]
Contact the NSW Contingent organising team via email: [email protected]
Head to the NSW AJ2022 website https://nsw.scouts.com.au/aj2022/
The NSW AJ2022 Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NSWContingentAJ2022/
The NSW AJ2022 Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/nswcontingentaj2022/
Or just email us at [email protected]
