Emily Kerr, Tamzin Taunton and Sebastian de Kantzow from 1^st Moree Scout Group were three of 31 children and five leaders from the Scouts North West troop lucky enough to take part in the 25^th Australian Jamboree, held at The Bend Motorsports Park, Tailem Bend, South Australia from January 4 to 14.

The North West troop were among 10,000 scouts from across Australia and the world who participated in the Australian Jamboree, which is held every three years for scouts aged 12 to 15. Venturer scouts aged 15 to 18 are also able to attend as helpers.

The camp is so big, it has to have its own hospital, post office, newspaper, radio station and bus station.

“It’s massive,” 1^st Moree Scout Group leader Kylie Kerr said.

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The 10-day camp is action-packed with plenty of adventure, excitement and fun, with a range of on and off-site activities designed to build independence, leadership and teamwork skills.

Some of the activities included obstacle courses, rock climbing, abseiling, canoeing, beach volleyball, arts and crafts, movies, theatre, team building, problem solving, escape rooms, a shooting range, trades experience, technology discovery and more.

Participants also went on an overnight camp where they did camping, pioneering, navigation, archery, ropes courses and completed Challenge Hill.

They also visited the city of Adelaide for a day.

Each night there was entertainment and a mall space was open during the days.

In addition to the fun activities, the camp encouraged scouts to be self-efficient.

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“Within each troop, they have patrols, with five kids in each,” Ms Kerr said.

“The patrols take it un turns to cook for the rest of the troop, clean, do their own washing if they run out of clothes.

“They set up and pack up their tents; they do everything themselves.”

Ms Kerr said they also get to meet so many different people from around Australia and the world, and make friends for life.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for them,” she said.

Getting to South Australia was an adventure in itself for the North West scouts, who travelled all the way on a bus. 

The scouts have returned home with plenty of stories, not only from the camp, but from the 24-hour bus journey there and back, which included hitting six kangaroos.

“Apparently one caused a bit of damage – the airbags went off and everything,” Ms Kerr said.

Moree scouts have been taking part in the Australian Jamboree for many years.