World Scout Jamboree 2011 - FAQs

Q: Will there be a general meeting place for the entire Contingent or a pre-camp? If so, where will it be held?
A: Yes; there will be a pre-camp. The pre-camp will take place in Frankfurt, Germany from July 23rd to July 27th.  On the morning of July 27th, all participants, leaders and CMT members will make their way to the Jamboree site in Sweden via Copenhagen.  Exact pre-Jamboree programs and details have yet to be determined, but will be available shortly.  Please note that IST members will not be taking place in the pre-camp, but will make their way directly to the Jamboree site in Sweden on July 25th.

Q: Can our Patrol or Unit travel throughout Europe before or after the Jamboree?
A: - Yes; additional travel with your Patrol or Unit will be possible. We will be encouraging groups to do their travelling before the event so they can meet up with the Contingent in time for the pre-camp, but so we can still depart back to Canada as a group. Please keep in mind that you will need to have two leaders with you for any additional travel you choose to do. If you will be deviating from the regular Jamboree itinerary, please be sure to contact MKI Travel ASAP.

Q: If our Patrol or Unit chooses to travel before the Jamboree, how can we make arrangements to join up with the Contingent in time for the pre-camp?
A: We will be working with a travel agency to book our flights to the pre-camp and to and from Copenhagen; the full cost of the Jamboree participant/IST fee includes these travel fees. If you chose to travel before or after the Jamboree, it will be the responsibility of the group/patrol/unit to make arrangements with this travel agency to arrive and/or depart in the necessary destinations in order to take part in the full Jamboree event (including the pre-camp); any additional costs this travel may accrue are also the responsibility of the patrol. If you will be deviating from the regular Jamboree itinerary, please be sure to contact MKI Travel ASAP.

Q: How flexible are we with age requirements:
A: Not very! Youth must have been born between July 25th, 1993 and July 27th, 1997 in order to attend the Jamboree. Some exceptions might be made for those with special needs, but these requests will need to meet the approval of the World Jamboree Planning Team. Older youth (those born before July 25th, 1993) can apply to be IST.

Q: In regards to adult to youth ratios - what if we have 2 adults ready to commit to taking a patrol? I thought that there was a minimum adult to youth ratio that had to be maintained for safety's sake? If only 1 adult is accompanying a patrol of youth and that adult gets ill, what happens?
A: The Jamboree Patrol of one adult and 9 youth is part of a Jamboree Unit. The Jamboree Unit is composed of four Patrols, for a total of 4 adults and 36 youth; this is the basic Jamboree Unit for camping and activities. In addition, the Canadian Contingent will have a number of Service Scouters on site to assist. In the event of illness (or simple need for a break), there will be other leaders available to help and to maintain our two leader requirement.

Q: I understand that IST are expected to be onsite longer than regular participants – what dates should IST expect to arrive and depart?
A: Based on the latest info gathered from the World Jamboree Planning Team, International Service Team (IST) members start work on July 25, 2011 and can depart on August 8, 2011. (Keep in mind that the Jamboree dates are July 27 to August 7, 2011). If you have not yet received your travel itinerary, please contact MKI Travel ASAP.

Q: How many Canadians can attend the Jamboree? Is there a maximum? Is there some kind of a selection process?
A: The maximum size of any contingent can be no more than 10% of the jamboree registration. That would put the maximum size of the Canadian Contingent at about 2000+ members. As nice as that would be to have a contingent that large, we do not anticipate meeting the maximum. Scouts Canada/l'Association Des Scouts du Canada do not have a competitive selection process. The selection of youth and adults is based on a few simple criteria: they must have been a member in good standing of one (or both) of our organizations for at least two years at the time of the Jamboree; for youth they must receive the approval of their parent(s)/guardian(s) and be recommended by their home council. In addition, participants must meet and agree to the criteria as outlined on the second page of the registration forms.

Q: How do I know if my registration application has been accepted?
A: If you are a youth participant, your application will automatically be approved so long as you’ve met the requirements as outline on the registration forms and your payments are made on time.  If you do not meet the registration criteria, your application’s approval will be determined by the World Jamboree Planning Team in Sweden.

If you are a leader, the same conditions as the youth participants (above) apply.  If we are unable to accommodate you in a Patrol however, your application may be denied and reconsidered for an IST position (if you selected this option on your registration form).  If you submitted your application with other youth applications however, indicating that you would like to be placed in a Patrol with them, then your application will be approved as such so long as the previously mentioned criteria are met.

If you are an IST, your application will be automatically be approved so long as you’ve met the requirements as outlined on the registration forms, your payments are made on time, and you’ve submitted your application early on.  Those who submit their application after June 30th are less likely to be placed on the International Service Team.  It will be determined by the World Jamboree Planning Team in Sweden who will be considered as IST, and what position they will be given.  If your application is not approved for an IST position, you will be reconsidered as a Leader (if you selected this option on your registration form).

If you have not yet received any notice from the Jamboree Office regarding your registration status and/or received any bulletins, please contact Melissa Jowett at the National office ASAP at mjowett@scouts.ca.