Jamboree unites Scouts, reinforces universal foundation of Scouting

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) National Scout Jamboree 2017 kicked off earlier this week at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in West Virginia, USA, with an estimated 31,000 Scouts, volunteers and staff. This location will be the exact same site as the World Scout Jamboree (WSJ) in 2019!

Secretary General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), Ahmad Alhendawi, who is currently visiting the Jamboree site, commended the impressive effort and exciting activities at the event. “It is great to see the true universal nature and values of Scouting here!” he said.

Ahmad is at the event with Dan Ownby, the Vice-Chair of the World Scout Committee; Mari Nakano, World Scout Committee member; Dr. Wayne Davis, Chairman of the Africa Scout Committee; and Interamerican Regional Director Raúl Sánchez. These representative of WOSM will be experiencing firsthand the condusive environment and facilities of the upcoming WSJ in 2019. They are expected to meet the heads of contingents (making a study tour of the 2019 WSJ site), as well as the leadership team of BSA to discuss challenges and opportunities. Most importantly, to candidly exchange dialogue on how to better grow the Movement, further promote the importance of Scouting’s non-formal education in young people, and to strengthen and affirm Scouting's involvement as part of the “solution” to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

(Photo credit: Boy Scouts of America)