Scott Robertson

NATIONAL JAMBOREE

By: Posted On: 2014-05-22

The National Scout Jamboree (Boy Scouts of America) is a gathering, or a jamboree of thousands of members of the Boy Scouts of America, usually held every four years and organized by the national council of the Boy Scouts of America. The jamboree is operated more like a world scout jamboree with sub camps that promoted maximum interaction.

The New River Gorge is famous for its awesome mountain biking trails. The 2013 National Scout Jamboree will offer Boy Scouts and Ventures a taste of this adventure at the summit Bechtel Reserve. West Virginia mountain biking trails offer incredible scenery, and the terrain provides a variety of challenges for every skill level, from the beginner to the expert downhill racer.

The Boy Scouts of America welcomes Scouts, Ventures, volunteers, and staff from across the nation to the 2013 National Scout Jamboree. At the event, Scouts will be able to participate in adventures that reinforce the BSA’s commitment to the physical wellness, including more than six miles of zip line challenge courses, 36 miles of mountain bike trails, 13 acres of shooting sports, as well as kayaking, rock climbing, bouldering, skateboarding, BMX and various other activities.

Not long ago, the Summit Bechtel Reserve was little more than an abandoned coal mine, saw mill and lots of pristine wilderness. No grand lakes, no canopy tours and no shooting ranges, certainly no Scouts or Ventures. Here comes Jack Furst. This is the life-long Scouter who oversaw this property’s metamorphosis into a site for a Boy Scouts of America high adventure base that would host both national and world jamborees. Furst belonged to a troop in Paoli, founded in 1911, Paoli claims it is one of the oldest troops in the United States and that it is the oldest “continuously active” troop in the nation. Furst says the troop has bestowed the Eagle rank on more than 300 young men in its history.

The 2013 National Scout Jamboree had a lot of remarkable people in attendance. His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, a lifelong Scout. TV host Mike Rowe, Eagle Scout and host of "Dirty Jobs," addressed the crowd at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree at the Summit Bechtel Reserve on July 20. Rowe spoke about the importance of working hard and smart. But how many had been in attendance at the 1937 National Scout Jamboree, the very first gathering of Scouts from across America?

Just one: Anthony DiSalvo

Not only that, he has attended almost every National Jamboree since 1937. DiSalvo, now member of the 2013 jamboree staff, was eight years old in 1937. He visited his uncle at the jamboree in Washington DC. There were 25,000 Scouts in attendance, most of whom arrived by train. President Franklin D. Roosevelt also turned up at that jamboree. Since 1937, DiSalvo has attended 17 more jamborees as a Scoutmaster or staff member. He’s missed only two in 76 years. DiSalvo said his favourite jamboree is the 1960 National Scout Jamboree in Colorado Springs. Over 56,000 Scouts were there, celebrating the golden jubilee of the Boy Scouts of America as the organization turned 50.

Gene Schultz, an adult staff member from Beavercreek, Ohio collapsed on July 20, 2013 and was transported by ambulance to Plateau medical center where he was pronounced dead after attempts to revive him had failed. Schultz was volunteering as a merit badge counselor and a historical reenactor of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The cause of death was attributed to a heart attack.


 
 

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