1. When you’re confused waking up surrounded by four actual walls and not thousands of other people in tents. By the end of the week, you’re used to the sunlight waking you up at 5.30am…

2. When it doesn’t feel right to go outside without a necker on. You’ll probably forget and go to wear it on Monday morning anyway.

3. When newspapers in the ‘real world’ aren’t full of pictures of your friends having a great time. Headlines in ‘proper’ newspapers don’t have so many bad jokes, either.

4. When your sub camp gate is WAY cooler than the school gate. Never has a good knot been so important.

5. When it’s no longer acceptable to wear fancy dress and/or a onesie every day. That probably won’t stop you trying, though.

6. When you remember what you were doing ‘this time last week’. Whatever you’re doing now is nowhere near as fun.

7. When you realise it’s probably a year until you’ll meet all your new jamboree friends again. But you smile because when you meet again, it’ll be like you were never apart.

Want to do it all over again? Get Poacher 2026 in your diary now!

Held in Lincolnshire, UK, you’ll be joining more than 5,000 other Scouts and Guides for the adventure of a lifetime! You’ll make great friends and try some amazing activities!

What else do you miss most after being at a jamboree? Tell us on Facebook now!