The world’s largest voluntary construction project

Over the weekend the first tent pegs were driven into the ground at Hylands Park, Chelmsford. The construction of the huge tented city that will house 40,000 young people from almost every country on earth has begun. The tents and buildings being put up this weekend are the first of 20,000. Combined these will create a home from home for young people from over 180 countries who will be attending the 21st World Scout Jamboree.

Over the next month, many other buildings and services will be put into the site to make life as welcoming as possible for the young people who are crossing the globe to attend the world’s largest ever Scout Jamboree.

Work will take place between now and the opening ceremony on the 28 July to construct stages, accommodation areas, a hospital and the largest temporary eating area in Western Europe, capable of accommodating and, more importantly, feeding 8,000 volunteer staff. Neil, a young person who will be attending the Jamboree, said ‘It’s difficult to imagine that this green parkland will be teeming with people from all over the world in just a few short weeks’.

During the Build period thousands of volunteers will arrive to help with the construction process. Even this is a truly international affair, with Scout Leaders coming from as far as southern Chile and Australia to help with the Build. There is even one remarkable team of volunteers walking from Serbia, just to be part of the event.

Setting up the site needs a wide range of skills; the building team consists of people with all abilities, from professional plumbers, medical practitioners to energetic Explorer Scouts ready to help. By the end of the preparations, the 574-acre area will be transformed into spectacular home grounds and activity sites for the Scouts. It will be the largest ever volunteer construction project, consisting of more than 8,000 volunteers.

The Jamboree will take the equivalent of 10,000 'person days’ to set up and take down – tasks being done solely by volunteers. Paul Walker is the volunteer responsible for the build phase of the project. He said. ‘The adults we have in Scouting are amazing. Their dedication is allowing this world-class event to take place. We have more participants involved in this event than are attending the 2012 London Olympics.

'The great thing is that while it’s hard work, all the adults involved in the event are really enjoying it. People think volunteering to be part of an event like this means that they have to give up something, but in reality everyone involved is gaining from the experience, which is just what being a Scout Leader is all about’.