Thousands gather for the 33rd Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree in the Philippines
Around 24,000 Scouts from across the Asia-Pacific Region are gathering at Camp Zambales, Philippines, to take part in the 33rd Asia-Pacific Regional (APR) Scout Jamboree.
Under the theme “Be Prepared: Scouts for Peace and Sustainable Development," the Regional Jamboree runs until 21 December and brings together young people aged 12 to 17 years old to build international friendship, strengthen leadership skills, and learn through cultural exchange, skill development, and community service.
Over the week-long event, Scouts from 18 countries are taking part in a wide range of outdoor, cultural, and educational activities related to peace, sustainable development, and community engagement. From abseiling, hiking, and Zumba to quieter moments of yoga and meditation, the programme offers opportunities for both active participation and personal reflection.
A core feature of the event site is the World Scouting Village, where interactive booths and learning spaces invite Scouts to explore the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and education for sustainable development. Through workshops and hands-on exhibits, young participants are encouraged to adopt sustainable practices, see themselves as global citizens, and inspire positive change in their communities.
At a campfire area, Scouts will gather to hear inspiring stories from community projects focused on sustainability, peacebuilding, leadership, and well-being. Each day, young people from the Boy Scouts of the Philippines will share projects related to the Scouting’s various initiatives, offering local perspectives and practical examples of impact.
Nearby, the EarthTribe booth brings environmental action to life through interactive games and activities addressing plastic pollution, biodiversity, and climate change. Scouts will join activities for Scouts Go Solar, where they learn ways to promote environmental responsibility both locally and globally.
The Messengers of Peace booth offers team-based activities that promote unity, dialogue, and reflection. Offering inspiration to the young participants were past Messengers of Peace Awardees, who spoke about their experiences and involvement in peacebuilding and community development. Stories from the Ticket to Life initiative in Thailand and the Philippines will highlight how Scouting can transform lives, motivating others to promote peace and inclusion both locally and beyond.
For the first time at an Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree, Scouting’s newest initiatives, LifeLeaders and HealthAllies, are being showcased through dedicated activities and learning experiences. LifeLeaders introduces Scouts to youth-led leadership and problem-solving through collaborative challenges inspired by design thinking, supported by partnerships with Accenture and World’s Largest Lesson. Scouts will also hear from their peers about how the Impact Innovators Challenge supports community action projects.
HealthAllies, meanwhile, is introduced through activities focused on physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Sessions include mindfulness practices, such as mandala art and guided meditation, alongside campfire discussions led by speakers working on community health and well-being projects.
Encouraging Scouts to take the learnings beyond the event, Dato Dr. Mohd Zin Bin Bidin, Chairperson of the APR Scout Committee, challenged traditional views of youth leadership. "People always say, ‘You are the leaders of tomorrow.’ But I think that is not true,” he told participants at the event’s opening ceremony. “You are already the leaders of today."
This event was made possible thanks in part to the generous support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in partnership with World Scouting under the Messengers of Peace Fund.
