Hundreds of Scouts in Czechia celebrate adventure and skills at national Svojsík competition final

From 11 to 14 September, almost 200 Scouts from across Czechia gathered in Zábřeh for the national final of the Svojsík Competition, an event that has challenged young people’s skills and teamwork for generations. This year’s edition brought together 183 Scouts aged 11–16, who advanced through local and regional rounds to compete in patrols of four to eight.

The competition opened on Thursday evening with a demanding 20-hour outdoor trek, where patrols spent the night in nature and navigated the landscape. On Friday, all groups reunited at the central campsite to share experiences, recharge, and prepare for the main challenges. That evening, Scouts and local community members came together for a historic moment: forming the largest living Scout lily. With 813 people each holding a candle, they broke the previous record from 2018, more than doubling it.

Saturday marked the highlight of the event as patrols rotated through stations, testing a broad range of knowledge and skills. Challenges included first aid, fire-making, cooking, logical reasoning, Scouting history, and knowledge of nature, alongside opportunities for reflection and feedback. Each patrol was accompanied by an adult guide who observed how well they cooperated, communicated, and supported one another. At the stations, patrols also received feedback on their performance, helping them learn, reflect, and grow through the activities. “Individual tasks connected traditional camping skills with the challenges of the 21st century,” explained competition commander Petr Fornůsek.

First held in 1946, the Svojsík Competition takes place every two years and is named after Antonín Benjamin Svojsík, the founder of Czech Scouting. This year’s edition was themed around the adventurous life of Jan Eskymo Welzl, a renowned traveller and native of Zábřeh, whose story inspired participants throughout the weekend.

While the competition celebrated the patrols' resilience, creativity, and knowledge, its purpose extended beyond identifying the strongest teams. The Svojsík Competition fosters cooperation, strengthens patrol life, enriches programmes, and highlights the enduring value of Scouting skills in preparing young people for life.