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Attending a jamboree is one of the most exciting opportunities in a young person's Scouting or Guiding journey. Poacher International Jamboree will create memories that last a lifetime.
We recognise that fundraising before Poacher is a core part of the adventure of attending the Jamboree. Here are our top tips and creative ideas to help you fundraise for Poacher 2026!
The most successful jamboree fundraising campaigns start early. This gives you plenty of time to organise multiple fundraising activities.
Break down the total cost into manageable chunks, to make it more achievable.
Combine personal fundraising efforts with group activities. Individual fundraising allows young people to take ownership of their journey and develop valuable life skills, while group efforts build teamwork and can raise larger amounts more efficiently.
Consider the different seasons: Christmas, Easter, Halloween and doing something around your fundraising which relates to them.
Ask for support, not just within your guiding and scouting communities, but in your local communities. Your local community might run a fayre – why not run a stall there or might have local grants you can apply for.
Car Washes with a Theme: Instead of a basic car wash, add themed elements. Offer “deluxe packages” that include interior vacuuming or offer a “jamboree special” where customers pay extra to learn about where the young people are going.
Jumble Sales and Car Boot Sales: These classic fundraisers still work brilliantly. Ask your local community to donate items, and consider adding a café element with home-baked goods to increase revenue.
Quiz Nights: Host a community quiz night at your local Scout or Guide hall. Charge per team, sell refreshments, and consider adding a raffle for additional income.
Craft Sales: Make and sell items like friendship bracelets, decorated plant pots, candles, or homemade preserves. Set up stalls at local markets or school events.
Bake Sales: Organise regular bake sales at local events, farmers’ markets, or outside supermarkets (with permission). Theme them seasonally for maximum appeal.
Sponsored Challenges: Organise sponsored walks, hikes, cycle rides, or even a 24-hour activity challenge. Make it themed around Scouting or Guiding activities for extra engagement.
Sleep-Out Challenge: Host a sponsored sleep-out where participants spend a night camping in challenging conditions, raising awareness about homelessness while fundraising.
Activity-a-thon: Complete 100 Scout or Guide activities in a weekend and get sponsored per activity completed.
Crowdfunding Campaigns: Set up campaigns on platforms like GoFundMe or JustGiving. Share your story, include photos and videos, and explain what the jamboree means to participants. Regular updates keep donors engaged.
Social Media Campaigns: Use Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to share your fundraising journey. Create engaging content that shows your preparation, training, and excitement.
Virtual Fundraisers: Host online events like virtual quiz nights, online auctions, or live-streamed talent shows that friends and family can join from anywhere.
Local Business Sponsorship: Approach local businesses for sponsorship. Offer to display their logo on your jamboree uniform or banner, mention them on social media, or provide updates about your trip.
Restaurant Fundraiser Nights: Partner with local restaurants that offer fundraiser programmes where a percentage of the evening’s takings goes to your cause.
Supermarket Bag Packing: Contact local supermarkets about bag-packing opportunities, where young people help customers pack their shopping in exchange for donations.
Good luck with your fundraising, and share with us on social media what you are doing!
Rachel
Rachel only found out about Poacher in 2015, as she is not from Lincolnshire but some of her family attended the first Poacher in 1977! She is Joint Head of Communications for Poacher 2026 and is now sad that the colours are no longer orange, as she loves and has a lot of orange merch!