International
31st Icelandic National Jamboree 2026, Akureyri, Iceland
In July 2026, thirty-five Australian Scouts, Venturer Scouts, Rover Scouts and Leaders from seven Branches travelled to Iceland for the 31st Icelandic National Jamboree, held at Hamrar Scout Centre on the outskirts of Akureyri, just 100 km south of the Arctic Circle. Under near-constant daylight, our Contingent camped, cooked and traded badges alongside 3000 Scouts and Guides from Iceland and around the world including from England, Scotland, Canada, Qatar and the USA.
The adventure began with a pre-tour based at Úlfljótsvatn Scout Centre, taking in the Golden Circle (Þingvellir, Gullfoss, Geysir and the Kerið crater), a 16 km hike to soak in the Reykjadalur hot springs, and a glacier walk on Sólheimajökull, where many members strapped on crampons for the first time and were among the last groups on the ice before accelerated melting closed access for the season. A specialist 4WD coach then carried us through Iceland’s interior Highlands to the Jamboree in the north.
The Jamboree program was organised into four compass-point areas. Our Patrols took on Viking games, climbing and mud-and-water challenges in Due East, baked Kleina, foraged edible plants, and built a treehouse for Iceland’s youngest Sections in Due South, explored Akureyri’s geothermally heated pools and famous Icelandic hot dogs in Due North and in Due West, 12 of our 16 youth members summited Súlur, a hike graded “Demanding”, with 1,244 m of elevation gain over 9km (for a total 18 km round trip) and every one of them reached the top! Several dinner swaps with local Icelandic Units and the Scottish Contingent took place and the Australian stall on Market Day proved very popular serving Vegemite toast, fairy bread and Tim Tams, with regular appearances from our mascot Karamel the Koala, made for a true celebration of international friendship.
After the Closing Ceremony we explored the island of Hrísey in Eyjafjörður and the Diamond Circle’s waterfalls, geothermal fields and canyons, before returning to Reykjavik for a walking tour, the National Museum of Iceland, our Farewell Dinner and lots of free time to explore the most northern capital city in the world.
An adventure like this to the dipole of Australia asks a great deal of young people, 34-hour travel days, unfamiliar food, and weather that swung from fog to midnight sun, and ours rose to every challenge. My sincere thanks to Peter, Kerry, and all of our Line Leaders and IST members, whose energy and care made this experience possible for our youth members.
Article by Luke Saunders ,Contingent Leader
More photos from the Contingent
