Long before the fun and festivities of the jamboree had kicked off, dedicated scouting leaders from troops around NSW, in collaboration with their Vanuatuan compatriots, launched an effort to ensure representatives from the chain of 83 Pacific islands were present at Australia's largest scout gathering.

In a display of scouting spirit that would have made movement founder Lord Baden-Powell proud, uniforms, badges and hats were donated to scout groups in Vanuatu and more than a dozen NSW scout groups put up $2000 each to sponsor a Vanuatuan scout for the duration of the jamboree.

As his contingent enjoyed the day's activities, Vanuatu Chief Commissioner Kalmer Vocor spoke of the excitement running through the group.

"(They're) very excited - for most of them it's their first trip overseas," he said.

"They'd been hearing about jamborees from other people and wanting to come over."

NSW Branch Adviser International (Vanuatu) Elizabeth Lennep said it was almost like stepping into another world.

"There are more modern facilities in this camp than in the whole of Vanuatu. At home, some of them don't even have running water," she said.

And while the jamboree was only in its fourth day, 15-year-old Vanuatuan scout Greg Toa had already found a second home - and a love of cricket - with the 1st Forestville Troop from NSW.

"The kids love him to death," troop leader Greg Coupland said.

Touring around the rest of the 160ha Cataract Scout Park, it was like stepping back in time yesterday as scouts experienced life in Australia in centuries past.

Some took part in candlemaking and metalwork, while an unlucky few found themselves on the wrong side of colonial law and spent time in the stocks or copped a flogging - all in good fun of course.

Today is the fifth day of the 11-day jamboree where 13,000 scouts and leaders tackle a range of challenging activities.