WINGS Jamboree 2026 – Windsor
In late July 2026, 1st Meath Dunboyne Scout Group travelled to England to take part in WINGS Jamboree 2026, held in the spectacular surroundings of Windsor Great Park.
- 25 July – 1 August 2026
- Windsor Great Park, England
- Subcamp: Sussex
- Participants: 39 Scouts
The group brought 39 Scouts to what proved to be an unforgettable week of adventure, challenge, friendship and international Scouting. WINGS brought together Scouts and Guides from around the world for a week-long celebration of adventure and the Scouting spirit, with Windsor Castle providing a spectacular backdrop to the event.
Our Scouts were based in the Sussex Subcamp, which became our home for the week and provided an opportunity to meet and interact with other Scout and Guide groups from across the UK 🇬🇧 and as far away as Taiwan 🇹🇼 and New Zealand 🇳🇿.
The 2026 WINGS theme was “Windsor Knights – The Tale of the Six Kingdoms”, with the programme organised around a series guilds.
The adventure began with a very early flight on Saturday, 25 July, when our 39 Scouts travelled from Dublin to Heathrow, then onto Windsor Great Park and the WINGS Jamboree site.
On arrival, the Scouts settled into the Sussex Subcamp, put up camp and began getting to know their surroundings and the other groups who would be their neighbours for the week.
That evening, the Scouts attended the spectacular WINGS Opening Ceremony with a party atmosphere and live entertainment from The CJ Edwards Band, supported by Tuba Libres.
1 / 13Day 1 - Battle of the SubCamps
On the very first day, each group was challenged to bring a piece of their homeland to life through a cultural showcase. Our Irish contingent rose to the occasion with enthusiasm and pride, creating a vibrant celebration of Irish heritage. We captivated the audience with traditional Irish dances, including An Dreoilín, demonstrated the skill and spirit of Hurling and Camogie through a lively Puck Fada, and Philip offered fascinating insights into the rich history of ancient Irish writing. It was a memorable display of culture, tradition, and national pride.
1 / 13The WINGS Activity Programme
The heart of WINGS was its extensive activity programme, which was designed around a number of Guilds, where the Scouts would partake in activities in 2 Guilds each day.
The Voyager's Guild – Water Activities
The water programme provided opportunities for Scouts to get out on the water and develop teamwork and water skills. Activities included:
- Rafting
- Bell boating
1 / 3The Survivalist's Guild – Backwoods Adventure
The Backwoods zone gave Scouts the chance to develop traditional outdoor and survival skills. Activities included:
- Fire lighting
- Outdoor cooking
- Axe Throwing
- Archery
- Woodwork challenges
- Outdoor living skills
1 / 9The Artisan's Guild – Craft and Construction
The Craft zone allowed Scouts to put their creativity to work. Activities involved:
- Painting
- Building
- Woodwork
- Weaving
- Creative design
- Practical craft projects
The Wheelwright's Guild – Wheels
For those looking for speed and movement, the Wheels zone provided a range of activities. Scouts could experience:
- Wheelchair basketball
- Unicycling
- Wheel-based challenges and races
1 / 11The Bard's Guild – Performance
The Performance zone encouraged Scouts to express themselves and try something different. Activities included:
- Circus skills
- Drumming
- Dancing
- Performance activities
The Merchant's Guild – Enterprise
The enterprise zone introduced Scouts to challenges based around creativity, strategy, trading and problem-solving. Scouts worked together to in mixed teams to divise a confectionery business from start to finish. Working together to achieve their goals.
The Adventurer's Guild – Windsor Exploration
One of the unique features of WINGS was the opportunity to leave the Jamboree site and explore Windsor and Windsor Great Park.
The Adventurer's Guild provided exploration routes and challenges through the town and surrounding area, combining adventure with the history and heritage of Windsor.
For our Scouts, it allowed them a little down time after a busy few days.
1 / 2The Waverider's Guild – On-Site Wet Zone
The on-site wet zone provided a different kind of water adventure, with splash-filled challenges, games, riddles and team activities. It was an extremely hot day, so the Scouts took the opportunity to enjoy the shade of an old oak tree, in-between all the water activities.
The Scaler and Miner's Guild – Climbing and Caving
The climbing and caving activities provided physical and mental challenges. Scouts were able to test their courage and determination through climbing and underground-style adventures, developing confidence while tackling challenges at height and in confined spaces.
The Challenger's Guild – Team Challenges
The Challenger's Guild was all about teamwork, competition and having fun. Scouts took on a variety of physical and team-based challenges designed to test them. The emphasis was not simply on winning but on working together and encouraging fellow Scouts.
1 / 5Evening Entertainment
The fun did not stop when the daytime activities finished. Each evening WINGS provided entertainment, giving Scouts the chance to relax, socialise and enjoy the atmosphere of an international Jamboree with lice music and comedy on each of the stages every evening.
International Scouting and Friendship
It was an international Scouting experience. The Jamboree brought together participants from 34 nations, giving our Scouts the opportunity to meet young people from different countries and cultures.
Living alongside other groups in Sussex Subcamp encouraged our Scouts to develop confidence in meeting new people, communicating with others and making friendships beyond their own group.
These international friendships and shared experiences are one of the things that make a Jamboree such a special part of Scouting.
Friday 31 July – Closing Ceremony
Friday evening marked the end of the WINGS adventure. After a full week of activities, challenges, friendships and memories, the Scouts gathered for the WINGS Closing Ceremony. It was a fitting conclusion to an extraordinary week of international Scouting.
Saturday 1 August – Central London & Home
On Saturday morning, 1st August, the Scouts and Scouters packed up the Sussex Subcamp and prepared to leave WINGS after an exciting and action-packed week.
Before beginning the journey home, the group travelled into Central London for one final day of adventure.
1 / 5The first stop was the Natural History Museum, where the Scouts took part in a Patrol Challenge.
Working in their patrols, the Scouts explored the museum and completed a series of challenges, searching for exhibits and discovering more about the natural world. The activity provided a fun and educational way for the Scouts to work together while exploring one of London's most famous museums.
Following the museum challenge, the Scouts and Scouters headed out into central London, taking in some of the city's most famous sights. The group enjoyed seeing landmarks and areas including Big Ben, Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square, while also having a little time for some light shopping along the way.
The day gave the Scouts one final opportunity to experience London before heading to Heathrow for the journey back to Dublin.
After seven days of travel, camping, adventure and Scouting, the group finally made their way home, tired but full of stories, new friendships and memories from an unforgettable WINGS Jamboree experience.
Conclusion
For the Scouts of 1st Meath Dunboyne, WINGS 2026 was not simply a week away from home. It was an opportunity to challenge themselves, make new friends, learn new skills and create memories that will stay with them for many years to come.
1st Meath Dunboyne Scout Group
