Before many of us got our morning paper, and well before the sun cracked through the night sky, 118 Scouts and Scout Volunteers loaded up on buses at 3:30 am for a 6:00 am arrival at the National Boy Scout Jamboree where they joined nearly 40,000 other Scouts and Volunteers in Fort A.P. Hill Virginia.
The 106 Boy Scouts making up the three Troops of the Shenandoah Area Council Jamboree Contingent come from throughout the Northern Shenandoah Valley in Virginia and Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. These young men have been preparing for this day for nearly 18 months. They have gone through a rigorous selection process, spent countless hours in Troop meetings, and several weekends setting up and camping in their Jamboree equipment so they can be familiar with the set up they will be in for the next 10 days.
At the Jamboree, Scouts come from all 50 states and from countries around the world to spend 10 days of fun, adventure, and fellowship. Activities range from archery to rappelling. Scouts can work on merit badges, fish, and learn about our high-tech world at the special Technology Quest exhibit.
A major highlight of this year's jamboree is the giant 100th Anniversary Arena Show Saturday, July 31, celebrating the Boy Scouts of America's centennial since its founding in 1910. Scouts and Volunteers not going to the Jamboree can experience the Arena Show during a live simulcast through the internet.
Today will see thousands of tents being pitched in 21 subcamps across Fort A.P. Hill as the Scouts settle into their home for the next 10 days. The boys can look forward to a once-in-a-lifetime experience as they celebrate 100 Years of Scouting at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree. For more information on the jamboree visit www.bsajamboree.org.
