By E.H. Edejer | December 14, 2025
BOTOLAN, Zambales — It’s now all systems go at Camp Kainomayan here, the 62-hectare campsite for the week-long 33rd Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree (APRSJ) that will draw more than 23,000 scouts, leaders and volunteers from 33 scout organizations across the Asia-Pacific region.
On Sunday afternoon, Dec. 14, Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., who is the designated Camp Chief, unveiled the APRSJ marker at Sub-camp Stevenot, along with Boy Scouts of the Philippines National President and Deputy Camp Chief Emilio B. Aquino and Zambales First District Representative Doris Maniquiz, prior to the Monday grand opening program.
Two descendants of Boy Scouts Association founder Lord Robert Baden-Powell also joined the ceremonial unveiling of the jamboree marker: David Robert Baden-Powell, who is the 5th Baron Baden-Powell and the Scouting founder’s great-grandson, and David’s daughter Charlotte Baden-Powell.
“It’s now all systems go here at Camp Kainomayan, and we’re ready for the more than 23,000 delegates from all over the Asia-Pacific,” Ebdane said at the sidelines of the ceremony.
The governor said all the requisite facilities for the camp have been put in place by the provincial government as early as last month. Medical teams, as well as security contingents from the local police and the Philippine Army are also in position at the encampment, he added.
BSP national chief Emilio B. Aquino, in his message before the marker unveiling rites, described the Botolan campsite as “world-class,” adding that it is the “pride of the Philippines” to be hosting the event.
As designed, the campsite boasts of a sprawling area for 65 tent clusters, with a 56,859-square meter activity center in the middle. Around the central area that contains the main stage, are six sub-camps, each with a central activity center of its own.
The camp also features a marketplace and a parking area, as well as shower and toilet facilities spread out across the site.
According to camp officials, delegates have been arriving at the area to set up camp since Friday, with some of the early arrivals visiting the town market and other attractions.
The jamboree, scheduled to be held from December 14 to 21, will formally open at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, after the hoisting of various contingent flags by national and international commissioners and delegation officials during the preliminary opening.
According to the schedule of activities, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will deliver a keynote address and thence formally declare the jamboree opening.
The 33rd APRSJ is touted to be one the biggest outdoor educational Scouting events in the Asia-Pacific, bringing together scouts from at least 10 countries for a dynamic interaction of culture, unity, and Scouting spirit.
This is the fourth Asia-Pacific Jamboree to be held in the country since 1973 and the first to be hosted in Zambales. Previous scouting events were all held at the National Scout Reservation on Mt. Makiling in Los Baños, Laguna.
Aside from the Philippines, which is expected to bring in the biggest number of campers, participants will also come from Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Fiji, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Maldives, South Korea, TGA Scouts of China, and the United States.
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