WINGS 2026 was an international Scout and Guide jamboree held in Windsor from 25th July to 1st August 2026, bringing together around 3,000 young people and volunteers for a week of adventure, friendship and personal development.
Over the past couple of years, Benjamin has tirelessly volunteered as Joint Head of the WINGS Programme, helping to lead, develop and shape one of the event’s flagship experiences.
At WINGS 2026, Benjamin helped deliver a diverse programme of adventure, creativity and teamwork through themed activity guilds. Participants took part in water sports, survival skills, climbing, crafts, performances, exploration and team challenges, alongside evening entertainment and opportunities to build international friendships. The programme created unforgettable experiences while inspiring confidence, collaboration and the lifelong values of Scouting and Guiding.
During WINGS 2026, Carl visited the East Anglia Subcamp to present Benjamin Kennedy-May, Joint Head of Programme, with The Scouts Commendation Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution and tireless work in bringing the programme to life. The award celebrated Benjamin’s dedication, leadership and the countless hours he invested in creating an exceptional experience for thousands of young people and volunteers.
Creating Memories That Last: Benjamin’s WINGS 2026 Experience
As Co-Head of Programme for WINGS 2026, I had the slightly ambitious privilege of helping lead one of the event’s biggest and most adventurous areas — a role that involved a lot of planning, problem-solving, caffeine, and the occasional “how are we going to make this work?” moment.
Working alongside an incredible team of volunteers and fellow leaders, I helped bring to life a programme that inspired over 3000 young people through more than 113 activities across 10 unique programme zones, alongside the successful Mini WINGS programme. From epic adventures to creative challenges, we created opportunities for young people to try new things, build confidence and make memories (hopefully the good kind!).
I’m passionate about creating inclusive, adventurous experiences that help young people discover new skills, step outside their comfort zones and have the kind of fun they’ll talk about for years. WINGS 2026 was a brilliant reminder that with the right team, a shared vision and a healthy amount of volunteer determination, even the biggest ideas can become reality.
A huge thank you to every volunteer, leader, partner and supporter who helped make WINGS 2026 such an incredible success. Your commitment, enthusiasm and teamwork made the impossible possible — and probably saved a few of us from needing even more coffee along the way. I’m incredibly proud to have shared this journey with you all.
