Although her home was spared, Mrs Connor said her involvement in the subsequent recovery effort had left her with little time to consider the 10-day jamboree.

"I packed everything for the jamboree half-an-hour before I left," she said.

Her role as editor of the jamboree's daily newspaper, JNN Daily, wasn't too much of a change of pace for the 42-year-old who is also editor of the Toodyay Herald, although she said it was tough filling several news room roles on her own.

"I've been doing 15 to 17-hour shifts. It's very hands-on," she said.

Elsewhere in the camp, the mood was a little more relaxed as scouts ran away to the circus.

Guided by carnival characters, including a fairly frightening bearded man, dozens of scouts tried their hand at juggling, unicycling and trampoline acrobatics.

They also stepped into the over-sized shoes of a circus clown, donned wigs and red noses and took part in face painting.

The 10-day jamboree, which is hosting more than 13,000 scouts from 26 countries, will continue today with on-site activities including trade skills and traditional scouting activities, along with city tours in Sydney and air activities at Camden Aerodrome.