Generic Frequently Asked Questions
You might find some answers to your questions in the What we know... page, if not, then try looking below:
Are there any bursaries or grants available for young people or leaders?
Yes, there are bursaries available from The Scout Association for those young people and adults in the most need. Details of how to apply for these bursaries are available from your Unit Leader.
Can we visit the Jamboree as a Day Visitor?
There will be opportunities to attend the Jamboree as a Day Visitor yes. However, places will be limited and we do not have any further details from Sweden on how this process will be managed. Further details will be available on this website once we have them. Keep checking back.
What are the Age Ranges for participants and are they flexible?
To be a participant at the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden 2011, you need to have turned 14 but not yet had your 18th birthday at the start of the camp. That means you must have been born between 25 July 1993 and 27 July 1997. These age ranges are set by the World Organsation of Scout Movements (WOSM) and cannot be changed. If you do fit into this age range, this will be your only chance to attend a World Scout Jamboree as a participant, so now's your chance!
FAQs About the Jamboree
Will there be food at the Jamboree for IST members?
Yes. There will be a Jamboree restaurant on site with redeemable tickets at meal times.
Will there be ATMs on site?
There most likely will be, but it is too early to tell at this point.
Can you take your bike on site?
Probably not, no. This again needs to be confirmed closer to the time.
Will the IST be able to go off site?
Each IST member will get a day off during the Jamboree. Whether that entails leaving the site is unclear. That said, IST could be allocated a job off site.
Is there a bar on site?
The Jamboree site is a strictly alcohol free and drug free site. Any breaking of this rule could result in you being removed from the event and will damage the reputation of the UK Contingent.
I don't have a passort yet, is that ok?
Our travel provider will require passport numbers well in advance of April 2011 and ideally by June this year. This will ensure that they can get the best deal on flights and we can avoid incurring extra costs. By doing this we will also avoid a late scramble for passports in the weeks before the Jamboree.
Planning in advance is the key message, you need to apply for a passport as soon as possible, even if this means you are still under 16.
The following advice from the UK Passport Authority provides a useful clarification of the type of passport you will need:
“If your child is under 16 they need a child passport to travel abroad. They can use this passport until it expires. For example, a 15-year-old who needs a passport must apply for a five-year child passport. They can use this passport until it runs out, in this case when the 'child' is 20.
“When a child reaches 16, the next passport they apply for once their current passport runs out should be a ten-year adult passport renewal.
“Young people aged 16 or over, applying for a passport for the first time, should apply for an adult passport.”
Further information is available here: www.ukpa.gov.uk.
IST FAQs
When will IST applicants know the outcome of their application?
Applicants will be informed via email during the week commencing Monday 1st March 2010 of the outcome of their application.
How do you confirm your place on the IST?
Upon receiving an offer letter, you will be asked to register you confirmation of this place and send a £100 deposit by cheque to the UK Contingents office within two weeks of receiving this offer.
Will geography be a factor when determining who is selected?
Not at all. Successful applicants will be determined both on their suitability to be on the IST and their place on either the first 500 list or 501-750 list
What happens after you have confirmed your IST place
The first IST bulletin will be attached to your offer email, with more information on what happens next. There will be an IST gathering at Walesby Forest Activity Centre in Nottinghamshire on the weekend of the 3rd-4th July, which will allow all successful and confirmed IST members to come together.
Will the IST be forming regional groups, like they did at the Thailand Jamboree?
During the Walesby weekend, the intention is for regional groups to be formed. It has to start somewhere, and the weekend will be the place to start this process.
Is there any purpose for the regional IST groups other than bonding?
At previous Jamborees, it has been noted that the IST did not gel as well as it could have done. The regional groups will be established early to build a support network across regions and give IST members the chance to interact with each other well in advance of the Jamboree.
Is attending the Walesby IST gathering compulsory?
No, attendance is not compulsory, but it would be beneficial for everybody to attend.
What is the cost of being on the IST?
This will depend on the option selected. Option A, which includes outbound and return travel on a given date, will cost no more than £1350. The cost of Option B, which does not include travel, is still to be determined.
What type of transport will be included in Option A?
Option A will include travel by plane. As we will be transporting close to 4,000 people to Denmark/Sweden over a 48-period, not all flights will be direct to the destination and could involve travelling via a number European airports.
Will the IST be given the option of which airport to travel from?
Every effort will be made to allocate regional departures from your nearest airport. However, this is not set in stone and you should be prepared to depart from an airport which is further away from home.
How often will there be IST newsletters/bulletins?
The first IST bulletin will be sent electronically in the IST welcome pack during the week beginning the 15th March. Subsequent bulletins will be sent using a similar timeline to the Unit Leader bulletins, with updates in July, October, February and May.
What are the chances of the 501st-750th applicants being offered a place on the IST?
We are doing our best to negotiate with Sweden and secure extra places for the UK IST. Should we manage to get extra places totalling more than 500, these would be offered to people on the 501-750 list. If anyone on the first 500 does not take up their offer of a place, for whatever reason, the place will be allocated in application order to those on the 501-750 list.
What uniform will the IST receive?
One shirt, badges, neckerchief, luggage bag and a jacket. No trousers will be provided. The IST will not receive a Contingent tent, as we thought you would most likely have one suitable to take with you!
Is insurance included in the fee?
Yes, insurance is covered in the price.
Who allocates jobs/roles for the IST?
The Swedish organisers. It is their event and you will be representing the UK working for them. You will not find out what particular jobs you have been allocated until you arrive at the Jamboree site.
Will IST members get the chance to say any particular skills they have got?
This selection taking place is for non-specialist IST, so you will be expected to turn your hand to anything. That said, you should be able to state any particular skills you have in due course. Specialist IST, if they are asked for, will be recruited by Sweden. If/when we have more information, it will be communicated with the wider Movement.
What can you suggest for fundraising opportunities?
We suggest getting in touch with your local Jamboree Unit, and work as closely as possible to raise as much money as possible!
Will the IST be involved in the pre-event experience?
No. the IST will be at a training camp instead.
Will the IST take part in HoHo?
No, they will not be taking part in HoHo.