As thousands of youngsters descended on Detling Showground for the Kent International Scouting Jamboree this week, they found a whole town of tents waiting for them, complete with running water, miles of electrical cables and event a high-tech control centre.

Reporter John Nurden dug out his woggle to see what camping with the pack is like in the 21st century...

Axe-throwing, shooting arrows, firing guns, driving cars across fields and riding in a 4x4 through woodland replaced pens of sheep and cattle normally associated with the county showground at Detling between Maidstone and Sittingbourne.

Thousands of youngsters have been camping under canvas this week from across Kent, including Sheppey, Medway, Canterbury and Ashford, along with visitors from the rest of Britain and abroad for the Kent International Scouting Jamboree.

There were still campfire songs but there were also dodgems, an outdoor cinema, a stage for live bands and a giant screen so jubilant youngsters could witness the England Lionesses beat Germany 2-1.

This was camping in the 21st century with all mod cons.

It had been a massive operation to put it all together. Services manager Kevin Filmer from Boughton Monchelsea spent the previous week overseeing the arrival of 27 toilet trailers, 12 shower blocks, 115 rubbish skips, the laying of seven miles of electrical cable and two miles of water pipe.

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He spent £150,000 buying or renting marquees and tracked down Sittingbourne firm FloGas to provide all the gas cylinders for cooking. "They were the only ones able to do it," he explained.

There was a fully functioning control room led by Simon Rosenberg of Ashford, whose team monitors CCTV safety cameras 24-hours a day, and a dedicated hospital under the watchful eye of clinical lead Adam Waller.

Camp director Andy Trill from Herne Bay said: "We have about 3,500 young people aged from 10 to 18. About half of them come from Kent, another 30% from the rest of the UK and the rest from abroad."

Each of the four camping areas, named after the planets Mars, Venus, Neptune and Jupiter, had its own canteen but relied on a fleet of supermarket delivery trucks.

Mr Trill admitted: "We had been hoping for a few more from abroad but it is still difficult for people to travel from other parts of the world because of Covid and visa issues. But we still have 29 countries represented here, including Canada, Brazil, Egypt, the Middle East, a number of African nations and middle Europe."

Video: Andy Trill at the Kent International Jamboree

He added: "Language doesn't tend to be a problem. A lot of countries speak English and, in the Scouting way, we find ways of communicating and getting through barriers. This is very much about making new friends, learning about how other communities and faiths work and seeing how the world can come together."

More than 100 activities were on offer including yoga, a history of scouting, a First World War trench experience, archery, 4x4 rides, axe-throwing, shooting, mountain biking, climbing, inflatables and a science zone. Each day, 1,000 are ferried off site in a fleet of coaches to explore other parts including Dover Castle, Canterbury, Hastings and London.

The 4x4 trek through the trees proved particularly popular. One youngster from Littlebourne clambered out of the vehicle and announced: "It was awesome. There were lots of bumps and turns. Being in the back was best."

His colleague added: "It was so shoo - really good." Another ventured: "We nearly crashed. It was great. It was very good fun.’

County Commissioner Dean Harding from Gillingham said: "Scouting has been evolving since 1907. In fact, Monday was our 115th birthday. But we have had to learn to work in different ways because of Covid. We had to take a lot of activities online."

This is the seventh year in its current format. It is normally held every four years but was delayed in 2021 because of the pandemic. A boost from Kent County Council's Reconnect Fund has helped make this year's jamboree a reality and keep fees down.

Mr Harding said: "Scouting is all about giving young people skills for life but they are different from Baden-Powell's day, although traditional skills like knot-tying still have a place."

So, do they still chant DYB, DYB, DOB?

"No," said Mr Harding, with a smile. "Do Your Best is something young people in Scouts do anyway and is a key part of our Promise. However, that is not something which has been done in our organisation for many years.

"It's actually something which is only brought up by the media. Scouting has moved on and is now coeducational. We've had girls for a considerable number of years. It's a fantastic opportunity for all young people."

The week-long event's closing ceremony was last night (Friday) with a spectacular show on the arena stage with fireworks and streamers.

Alas, the Scouting movement in Kent is in danger of becoming a victim of its own success with waiting lists of up to 18 months for many packs because of a shortage of helpers.

The UK has also introduced a new, younger level of Scouts - the Squirrels for those aged four to six - to join the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers.

Mr Harding said: "We need more adults to join. They don't have to come every week. They can give lessons on their hobbies, such as mountain-biking or photography."

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