6,000 Scouts and Guides to take part in conservation at Chester Zoo

More than 6,000 Scouts and Guides will get hands-on with nature at Chester Zoo thanks to an “inspiring” new partnership.

Cheshire Scouts have announced that every participant will have a chance to learn more about conservation at Chester Zoo as part of this year’s Chamboree, one of the biggest events in the global Scouting calendar.

Chamboree is a week-long international camp for Scouts and Guides taking place at Cheshire Showground from August 8th to 15th.

This year, for the first time, participants will take part in a conservation day at Chester Zoo, a national charity carrying out species-saving work in the UK and across the world.

This will involve exploring a conservation trail, using the iNaturalist app to log as many native species as possible and taking conservation actions like updating bee and bug hotels.

Beyond the zoo, the youngsters are also encouraged to take part in citizen science projects like recording wildlife sightings in parts of Cheshire and undertaking science activities in the “thrive zone” at the event camp.

Chamboree 2026 is open to Scouts and Guides aged 10-17 from across the UK and overseas. Younger members from Cheshire, from Squirrels aged four and up, will be included through day visits and festival activities.

Chester Zoo’s education team welcomed the partnership as a chance to motivate a new generation of conservationists.

Charlotte Smith, Director of Conservation Education at the zoo, said:

“We know connecting young people with nature is a crucial step in empowering them to help protect our environment, as well as being great for their own wellbeing.

“Many young people are already passionate about their communities and about wildlife. By playing a part in Chamboree 2026, we hope to support thousands of young Scouts and Guides from across our region to cultivate a lifelong interest in the natural world.”

Ms Smith added that conservation actions did not have to focus on lions and tigers to have real impact.

She said:

“There is a lot we can all do for UK wildlife here in Cheshire. We’re really pleased to be providing opportunities for Scouts and Guides to get involved in taking conservation actions locally, as part of providing a unique experience inspired by the work of our conservation zoo.”

Alongside the Chester Zoo conservation day, Chamboree attendees can take part in litter picks and canal path clear ups to make an immediate positive impact on communities near the camp.

Dave Hopley, County Lead Volunteer and Camp Chief, Chamboree 2026, said:

“Chamboree is about adventure with purpose. Partnering with Chester Zoo means every young person will learn from conservation specialists, take part in real citizen science, and leave a positive legacy in our local environment — not just memories.

“What makes this partnership so powerful is that it turns learning into action. Whether it’s exploring the conservation trail, logging wildlife on the iNaturalist app or improving habitats back at camp, our Scouts and Guides will see that small steps really do make a big difference.

 “We want every participant to come away feeling confident, inspired and connected to nature and to know that their actions here in Cheshire contribute to something much larger.”

To find out more, visit: 

cheshirescouts.org.uk