My Scouting Story – and Why This Journey Matters to Me

When I was younger, I think I was quite selfish and self-centred. I didn’t always think about how other people might feel. Scouting has played a huge part in changing that. Through everything I’ve done, I’ve learned to stop, think about others, and see situations from more than just my own point of view.

One of the things I love most about Scouts is exploration. The forests near where I live are quite small, so the World Scout Jamboree feels like a huge opportunity for real discovery and adventure. I’m especially excited because I don’t know anything about Poland at all — its culture, its food, or what daily life is like there — and I love the idea of learning through experience rather than just reading about it.

Food is another big excitement for me. I’ll eat almost anything put in front of me, so getting to try food from different cultures feels like a bonus adventure in itself!

One of my most memorable Scouting moments goes right back to Beavers, when I hit a perfect bullseye and came first in an air pistol competition. That moment stuck with me for years because it unlocked a level of confidence I didn’t know I had. Since then, Scouts has taught me things school never could — how to safely light a fire, how to throw (and teach others to throw) a tomahawk, how to make chess pieces using knife skills. I’m currently working on knots… which I still struggle to remember, but I’m getting there.

When I was offered a place at the World Scout Jamboree, I genuinely didn’t know how to react. I never expected to be selected, and suddenly I felt part of something much bigger than myself — a journey in Scouting history that I never thought I’d be part of.

Fundraising for this opportunity feels like a big challenge, but it’s one I believe is achievable with dedication and support. Every donation helps bring this experience closer and means more to me than I can easily put into words. Thank you for helping me take part in an adventure that will shape how I see the world — and my place in it.