Up, up and away for the adventure of a lifetime

Poacher 2017 — the International Scout and Guide Jamboree — will see the University of Nottingham's hot air balloon take to the skies high above Lincolnshire this summer. The eight-day event, returning to the Lincolnshire Showground from 29 July to 5 August 2017, will feature over 70 adventure activities as well as many creative and skill-based workshops — from balloon modelling and copper stamping to survival experiences, water zorbing and learning circus skills — and welcome more than 5,500 young people, aged 10 to 17, to share the adventure. Poacher 2017 will be Lincolnshire's 10th International Jamboree, welcoming visitors from 25 countries. The presence of this spectacular balloon will make a fitting celebration and some young adventurers will be lucky enough to take a flight. The University of Nottingham has an impressive association and history with hot air ballooning and thanks to a loyal team of supporters the balloon — known as G-NUNI — continues to fly high. World-record breaking balloonist Dr Janet Folkes piloted the University hot air balloon, which featured regularly at events both in the UK and abroad, before she sadly lost her long battle with cancer in 2012. In her academic life she lectured in engineering at the University.