2010 National Jamboree

2010 National Scout Jamboree, July 24 through August 4 th

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Fall 2009

 

1.  What is a National Jamboree?   And why is this one so special?

A National Scout Jamboree is a gathering thousands of Boy Scouts, held every four years and organized by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Referred to as "the Jamboree", "Jambo", or NSJ, Scouts from all over the nation and world have the opportunity to attend. They are considered to be one of several unique experiences that the Boy Scouts of America offers. The first jamboree was scheduled to be held in 1935 in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Scouting, but was delayed two years. The 2010 National Jamboree will be celebrating 100 years of Scouting in the US.  The jamboree will be held July 26-August 4, 2010 and offers many activities for youth participants and the 300,000 members of the general public who visit it. It is considered to be Scouting at its best. Visit www.bsajamboree.org for details.

 

2.  Is space still available?   Can I still sign-up?

Yes, a handful of slots are still available.  The cost is $1,495, payable in installments.  You can “catch up” on payments as best you can.  Unfortunately, campership funds have been exhausted.

 

3.  Who do I go with?   How do I get there?

There are three Jamboree troops, comprised of 108 scouts from across the Minsi Trails Council. Jamboree Troop 206 (Scoutmaster Dick Cortright) meets in the northeast, up PA 33.  Jamboree Troop 210 (Scoutmaster Charlie Kopcho) meets in the northwest, up PA 309.  Finally, Jamboree Troop 211 (Scoutmaster Bill Folk) meets in the south central, around Bethlehem.  All three troops travel as a single contingent,  to the Jamboree, at Fort A.P. Hill, near Bowling Green,. Virginia, by bus.  The contingent spends the weekend of July 24-26 touring Washington, D.C. before heading down to the Jamboree site.

 

4.  Can’t I go to the Jamboree with my home troop?   What’s the difference?

Visitors to the Jamboree are welcome.   See www.bsajamboree.org for visitor times.  So, what’s the difference between visiting and participating?   Simple,  participants can do … visitors can only look.  And there is an awful lot of “doing” available…so much so that participants will need the entire 10-days to just come close to all the fun the jamboree offers participants.  Check out the jamboree website www.bsajamboree.org for details on all the activities.   Or, check out www.YouTube.com and search on “2010 National Scout Jamboree” for some great videos!

 

5.  Where do we stay?

Each of the three Jamboree troops from Minsi Trails Council will stay in Coleman dome tents, sleeping on cots in a troop camp site, designed for 36 boys and 4 adult leaders.  Our three troops will be part of sub camp 2, Northeast Region.  In total, there will be 20 sub camps with each containing approximately 40 jamboree troops.  So, Minsi Trails Council Jamboree Troop # 211 means the 11 th troop in sub camp 2.  The troop numbers are like a Jamboree address !

 

6.  And the food….is that included?

Yes, each sub camp has a commissary and staff that distributes food twice a day, breakfast and dinner.  Lunch is a box lunch available at various pick-up points, or kiosks, around the Jamboree.  The food is mostly pre-cooked and pre-packaged in aluminum trays requiring the scouts to (steam) reheat them on traditional propane cook stoves in the camp sites, by patrols.  The patrol method is followed for meal preparation and cleanup.  Also, the three trading posts at the Jamboree offer between meal snacks, such as hot dogs, hamburgers and pizza!

 

7.  OK, we've decided !  How do we sign-up?

Visit www.bsajamboree.org and register.  Still have questions?  Then check out our Jamboree section at www.minsitrails.com , or call the Minsi Trails Council office at 610.264.8551.