National Scout Jamboree: Creating New Traditions with a Series of Firsts

Hello again!  As we count down the final days and hours to the opening of our 2013 National Scout Jamboree, I got to thinking about how we are breaking ground on many new traditions for our Scouts to carry on for future generations.

One tradition we will always observe is our commitment to outdoor adventures. Our new home for the Jamboree, The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve, will bring its own unique traditions to light as our Scouts experience the beauty of the New River Gorge region of West Virginia. Many first-time adventures await our young visitors, including trails that will be new to explore, breathtaking views that have yet to be discovered, and new thrills to enjoy – like riding one of the longest zip lines in North America. Yes, these experiences and many more will feed many exciting tales that our Scouts will take home from their Jamboree week!

The 2013 National Scout Jamboree will also be more diverse than ever before. The Jamboree isn’t just for Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts. Beginning this year, Venturers are able to participate as well, which also means that this is the first year that girls will be taking part in the National Scout Jamboree.

Venturers prepping for the Jamboree at The Summit Shakedown. Photo courtesy of Summit Bechtel Scout Reserve Flickr

And for the first time, everyone at the National Scout Jamboree will take part in a Day of Community Service. As part of our pledge to “give back” to the communities surrounding The Summit, about 40,000 Scouts and volunteers are expected to participate in service projects in nine counties around the Jamboree site. What a wonderful gift to the terrific people who are so supportive of Scouting in this part of our nation!

We will also be “more connected” at the Jamboree. We’ll have a broad network of wireless access “hot spots” around the Jamboree site so our Scouts can send photos, update blogs, Tweet, and tell Facebook friends about their adventures. (Don’t worry. We’ll also encourage our kids to write letters to their folks, too!) Scouts will also be able to use mobile technology to check event schedules and stay in contact with leaders. This wireless capacity will be huge – it’s second only in West Virginia to what’s offered in the City of Charleston. Watch for updates from me, too, here and on my official Twitter!

What new traditions are you hoping to take away from The Summit?  I’d like to hear your thoughts on our plans to take our outdoor adventures to a whole new level at this year’s Jamboree.

More soon!

Wayne