Scouts gather for international Chamboree in Cheshire

Scouts from as far afield as the Netherlands, Poland and Israel joined groups from across the UK at the Royal Cheshire Showground in Tabley to participate in the action-packed Chamboree.

Taking place every four years since its launch in 1994, the Scout camp has grown to become one of the biggest and best in the UK.

This year, space was the chosen theme with a host of activities to entertain and educate on offer across nine planetary zones.

Cheshire Scouts county commissioner and camp chief Dave Hopley was delight to help provide youngsters with an ‘amazing experience’ and for some, their first taste of camping.

The Chamboree X team who led the evening entertainment

He said: “Chamboree has been an amazing experience that shows what a powerful force for good Scouts and Guiding can be for young people.

“After nearly two years of lockdown, it has been absolutely amazing for us all to be able to come together with people from around the world, and share stories, develop skills and make new friends.

“We’ve also been lucky to have more than 1,000 adult volunteers, who have worked tirelessly to give the youngsters an amazing experience that they will remember for a lifetime. We’re so proud and grateful to them all."

Live entertainment from DJ Beaver at the Tabley Showground

Activities in the planetary zones included:

• Photography and beatboxing lessons in Manchester at Mercury
• Chances to try out other sports such as fencing, rowing and volleyball in Venus
• Planet Earth provided an opportunity to learn about ecosystems and how we live, work and socialise
• On Mars numerous target sports were on offer including archery, rifle shooting, laser tag and axe throwing
• Jupiter was the planet for adrenaline junkies, with rock climbing, bouldering, zip Lining, caving, a BMX pump track, slacklining, and quad biking
• Saturn was the zero gravity zone, where participants could bounce their way around the many giant obstacle courses
• Uranus was the STEM zone where ‘Chambonauts’ could 3D print a Typhoon aircraft, hold a six billion-year-old meteorite, or learn about toxic waste clean up
• Neptune was a fun space to learn a new skill, such as changing a tyre, wiring a plug, or building flat-pack furniture

Evening entertainment was provided in the International Space Station-themed main arena. The Chamboree X team of younger Scout leaders hosted a variety of fun events, including the infectious camp dances, 80s game shows, lip sync battles, discos, and the infamous Gunge Tank.

Charlotte Mercer, 17, an Explorer from Cheshire, said: “Scouting has provided me with so many brilliant opportunities, and I’ve met so many people at Chamboree from across the world.

Chamboree's Got Talent winner Oliver

“It’s like having a family away from home that you can do amazing things with. And being onstage, and seeing everyone’s faces smiling and enjoying themselves is just the best feeling.”

For more information about Scouting in Cheshire see cheshirescouts.org.uk