ཤེས་རིག་དང་རིག་རྩལ་གོང་འཕེལ་ལྷན་ཁག།
Ministy of Education and Skills Development
National Scout Jamboree 2026 Inaugurated at Paro National Scouts Centre with Over 600 Participants
The National Scout Jamboree 2026 was inaugurated today at the National Scouts Centre in Paro, marking the beginning of a major five day gathering that brings together young scouts from across Bhutan along with international participants in a celebration of leadership, service, friendship and mindfulness.
Organized by the Bhutan Scouts Association, Ministry of Education and Skills Development, the event is being held from 26 to 30 May 2026 and has drawn wide national attention as one of the largest youth scouting gatherings in recent years. The jamboree is being held in commemoration of the 70th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, whose vision of peace, harmony and Gross National Happiness continues to shape Bhutan’s national philosophy and deeply influence youth development programs across the country. From the early hours of the morning, at the National Scouts Centre in Paro was filled with movement and color as contingents from across the country gathered, representing 20 Dzongkhags and four thromdes. Young scouts between the ages of 14 and 17 gathered in formation, creating a lively atmosphere that reflected both discipline and excitement as the opening ceremony unfolded.
A total of 618 participants are part of this year’s jamboree. This includes around 500 student scouts along with adult volunteers, staff and organizers who are supporting the programme. The event also includes participation from Wangsel Institute in Paro, which is an inclusive education institute for students with hearing impairment, ensuring that scouting continues to remain accessible to all. The presence of Wangsel students adds an important dimension of inclusion and equality to the gathering.
International participation has also added a wider dimension to the jamboree, with scouts and youth representatives from neighboring countries joining their Bhutanese counterparts. Their presence reflects the growing strength of scouting as a platform for friendship, cultural exchange and unity among young people beyond national boundaries. Participants at the jamboree are grouped into houses named Mewang, Jigme and Singye Wangchuck. These house groupings serve as the main structure for teamwork, activities and challenges throughout the programme, encouraging cooperation, identity and healthy competition among the young scouts.
The Minister of Education and Skills Development, Yeezang De Thapa, officially inaugurated the jamboree and described the event as a celebration of unity, purpose and shared responsibility among young people. She extended a warm welcome to all participants including international guests and commended the efforts of organizers, volunteers and partners who made the event possible. She reflected on the legacy of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and said that Gross National Happiness continues to guide Bhutan’s development philosophy by placing human wellbeing at the centre of progress. She also emphasized that leadership today is not defined by authority alone but by empathy, responsibility and service to others.
She encouraged the young participants to use the jamboree as an opportunity to grow not only in skills but also in values, reminding them that scouting plays an important role in shaping disciplined, compassionate and socially responsible citizens.
She encouraged the young participants to use the jamboree as an opportunity to grow not only in skills but also in values, reminding them that scouting plays an important role in shaping disciplined, compassionate and socially responsible citizens.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chief Commissioner of the Bhutan Scouts Association, Sangye Choden, welcomed the participants and described the jamboree as a historic gathering of friendship, learning and unity. She said the event reflects the enduring spirit of scouting that brings young people together regardless of borders, language or culture.
She said the jamboree carries deep national significance as it is dedicated to the 70 years of inspirational leadership of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. She noted that His Majesty’s vision continues to stand as a guiding force for Bhutan, especially through the philosophy of Gross National Happiness which places human wellbeing at the centre of national progress.
She further said that the theme of the jamboree, Leadership, Service and Mindfulness inspired by Bhutan’s Vision for Youth, is a reflection of the belief that young people are the future of the nation and must be nurtured with values that help them lead with courage, serve with compassion and live with mindfulness and integrity.
In her address, she encouraged the scouts to make full use of the coming days of activities and interaction. She said that over the course of the programme, participants would experience adventure, learning and friendship while also developing a deeper sense of responsibility towards their communities and the environment. She also spoke about the international participation, noting that the presence of scouts from different countries elevates the jamboree into a meaningful platform of global unity. She said that although participants come from different backgrounds, they are connected through shared scouting values of peace, service and solidarity.
The opening programme also introduced the wide range of activities planned for the five days. These include outdoor adventure experiences, rope-based challenges, balance and teamwork activities, cultural exchange sessions, community service initiatives and leadership development exercises. These activities are designed to build resilience, cooperation and creativity among participants while strengthening bonds between scouts. Organisers noted that this edition of the jamboree is particularly significant as it comes after a long gap, with international participation and inclusivity adding to its importance and scale.
They said the return of the national gathering reflects renewed energy within the scouting movement and a stronger emphasis on inclusion, youth empowerment and national unity.
As the ceremony concluded at the National Scouts Centre in Paro, groups moved into their respective house formations under Mewang, Jigme and Singye Wangchuck. The atmosphere carried a strong sense of anticipation as young scouts prepared for the days ahead, which promise not only physical adventure but also meaningful personal growth and shared learning. The National Scout Jamboree 2026 will continue until 30 May, and organizers hope that participants will return to their schools and communities as scouting ambassadors, carrying forward the values of leadership, service and mindfulness in their everyday lives.