BSO Southern Europe Eclipse Camp Jamborette

July 29, 2025

8^th to 15^th August 2026

This will be held at a private, purpose-built campsite for young people owned by the Village of Covaleda in Soria central Spain (north of Madrid).

The highlight of the camp will be the once in a lifetime chance to witness firsthand a total eclipse of the sun. This has not occurred in Europe since 1999 and in Spain for over a century. The camp will last for eight days / seven nights and be available for Network, Explorers, Scouts and older Cubs from all groups in BSO and other groups worldwide.

Attendance is expected to be between 500 and 1000 people.

Leaders from all groups sending young people will be attending unless otherwise agreed. Activities during the camp will be safe and exciting and aim to include mountain and water-based experiences in the mornings, and space and eclipse preparation along with traditional scouting activities such as games and community service around the camp in the afternoons and evenings.

Apart from having fun, the focus of the camp will be on camaraderie and meeting with other young people from BSO and other scout groups who will be attending.

Location

The province of Soria has been chosen because this provides an amazing location in a gently hilly region great for activities. However, this is also right in the centre of the path of the Total Eclipse that we will witness as it zooms 630km or 390 miles across Spain from Valencia in the South to Oviedo in the North in under five minutes.

Our viewing time will be about two minutes on August 12^th just before sunset which will provide unique conditions to see this amazing event, but this is not just a two-minute camp with a whole week to experience Spain, make new friends, try new activities and relax in the sun.

Soria is a great place because it is as close as the Eclipse gets to Madrid, a major international transport hub to welcome international participants from far and wide while providing easy access to the camp, about two hours by road.

Activities

Activities will be split into three daily time periods:

1000 – 1300
1700 – 1900
2200 – 2330 (younger scouts can get an early night if they choose).

The long break over lunch from 1300 to 1700 is designed to allow rest during the hottest part of the day. During this time young people will have leaders around and be free to either rest up or have fun together.

The daily plan would be to partake in adventure activities in the morning when it is cooler, space activities, community work and games in the afternoon, with astronomers on hand in the evening for those who want to gaze further! Adventure activities will be provided by a respected local team with qualified guides who speak English.

Activities are expected to include canoeing, canyoning, guided day hikes and climbing. In the afternoons, camp staff and BSO leaders will lead a site volunteering program of cleaning, maintenance and renovation tasks for the scouts. In the evening the focus switches to games, activities and astronomy that promote cooperation and socialising among scouts from the different groups, with shows and talent contests in small amphitheaters around the site.

How do I Sign Up?

Currently the camp is still in the planning phase, so please complete a no obligation expression of interest form if you would like to join. This will help us plan with approximate numbers with official registration open towards the end of 2025 / beginning of 2026. Be sure to check back here for more updates:

No Obligation Expression of Interest for BSO Scouts and Leaders

https://forms.office.com/e/KU6Z5euTCR

No Obligation Expression of Interest for UK and International Groups

https://forms.office.com/e/r2DXatimFU

No Obligation Expression of Interest for Spanish Groups

https://forms.office.com/e/sk94KL0pme

If you are a leader and would like to apply for a manager role at camp, independently of your group, please see the following open positions:

Available Roles Eclipse Camp 2026.docx

Do you have questions?

Consult our Frequently Asked Questions further down or contact your Group Scout Leader.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if it is cloudy? It is unlikely to be cloudy on the day of the Eclipse but we can’t guarantee that this will be the case. In the case of a poor forecast we will relocate, if possible, if this cannot be organised then it hasn’t been a wasted trip, there’s still a weeklong jamborette to enjoy!
How will catering be organised? The camp will be fully catered using the on-site kitchen with this included in the price.
Who will provide equipment? BSO Area will supply camping equipment for Leaders and Young People coming under the BSO banner. For other groups we may be able to organise equipment sharing with other local groups for those that are interested. Further details to follow during sign up.

Cost of Camp

The price for attending the camp with all food and activities is expected be around €300-400 per young person in line with a local summer camp except with the added bonus of seeing and Eclipse and meeting with other young people from across our district. Transport will be on top of this and needs to be organised at group or individual level.

Accommodation and Facilities

The site has safe drinking water along with enough indoor showers and toilets for everyone.

Accommodation is to be in good quality tents such as the Decathlon Arpenaz tents used by BSO. These sleep between four and six people and have been tested and shown able to survive adverse weather conditions well on previous camps. All those attending will need to provide their own personal sleeping gear including a sleeping bag and mat. Note that young people will where possible be sharing tents with other members from their local groups and other young people of a similar age.

Cancellation Policy

After registration is open, once you have booked and paid the deposit, we will then require payment for the camp in two stages, one on booking and another approximately eight weeks before camp Cancellation policy will be:

Deposit and cost of transport – Non-refundable.
Between 8 and 4 weeks prior to the camp – 50% of camp fees refundable
Between 4 and 2 weeks prior to the camp – 25% of camp fees refundable
Within 2 weeks of the camp – No refund

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