Jamboree Participation Age Exception

Participants in the Jamboree must be Scouts aged between 11 years and 14 years and 6 months at the start of the event, specifically those born between June 28, 2012, and December 28, 2015. This age requirement ensures that all participants are developmentally ready to engage in the activities and experiences offered during the Jamboree.

Scouts Aotearoa New Zealand emphasises the importance of age-appropriate participation, given the varying abilities and maturity levels of younger Scouts. Scouts under the age of 11 may face additional challenges and risks, including social dynamics and the physical demands of the activities. Consequently, Scouts must be at least 11 years old during the Jamboree year, typically corresponding to school years 7 through 10, to ensure they have the necessary skills and resilience to thrive in the environment.

Older Scouts, those over 14 years and 6 months, may also encounter difficulties if they are participating in activities primarily designed for younger Scouts in their troop. The programme is curated to cater to the interests and abilities of younger participants, which may not align with the expectations or capabilities of older Scouts.

There is some flexibility regarding participation. While the Jamboree Director has the authority to approve requests for age exceptions, the final decision rests with the Scout Leader or Jamboree Troop Leader. This decision takes into consideration various factors such as the Scout’s maturity, readiness for the experiences offered, and alignment with the Troop's values and objectives for participation, having been actively engaged in the Scout section for at least 3 months before the Jamboree and being familiar with essential camping skills, teamwork, and Scouting principles, ensuring they are well-prepared for the event.

If you have a youth who is between 10 years and 6 months and 11 years old, or between 14 years and 6 months and 15 years old, please consult your Scout Group Scout Leader to start the application process for a Scout Age Exception.