Has your Son attended a Boy Scout Jamboree???

[TwingleMum]

There is a Boy Scout Jamboree I think next year in Virginia. Its really expensive I think its $1600 for each participant. WHAT????? $1600!!!! Why is it so expensive?? Your camping. Do you bring home a car so something?? Is it worth the money??? What do you do???

 

[Geoff_M]

Yes, and yes. I've even PAID to work the last three Jamborees on staff. Our oldest son was a participant in 2010 and loved it. Our youngest will likely go in 2013.

The cost of the Jamboree itself is around $800. This is the "national fee" for attending the Jamboree itself. Jamborees are a "mountain top" Scouting experience for most boys. The rest of the money is the amount that your local council assess as the "touring package". That is, the cost of transportation, hotels and meals along the way, and any sight-seeing costs to and from the Jamboree. All in all, your probably looking at about a two week trip (depending on where you're coming from).

However, as for "what do you do at a Jamboree", I will say that for 2013 the National Scout Jamboree will be going through a major paradigm shift. From 1981 to 2010 it was held at the Army's Ft. AP Hill near Fredericksburg, VA that the BSA rented from the US DOD. In 2010 the BSA announced that it had, through a major donation, purchased a permanent site for the Jamboree in western West Virginia. It is in the "New River" area and is in much more of a "wilderness" area. During non-Jamboree periods, "The Summit" as it is known will be operated as a high-adventure base for white-water rafting and such. All of this is going to re-shape a lot of the Jamboree experience.

Given AP Hill's proximity to Washington, DC it used to be standard for troops to send several days touring our nation's capital... but given the additional distance to the new site, some council contingent troops may drop that option (and touring costs). Previously, troops had to bring all of their own equipment... now the BSA will provide all of the tenting and troop equipment. The troops only have to show up with personal gear. At AP Hill there things were spread out and there was a transportation system (school busses), at The Summit things will be more centrally located and boys will be expected to "hike" their stuff in to the troop sites. At AP Hill the list of activities was massive such that it was impossible for boys to do everything (earn merit badges, rappel, BMX, trap shoot, SCUBA, boating, Army adventure area, exhibits, hands on science area, etc., etc.) News is that The Summit will be the similar, but the mix will change with more of a "tilt" towards "high adventure" stuff that takes advantage of the locality.

Another change is that before the Jamboree consisted of about 40K participants and staff... plus about 10K daily visitors. Visitors were allowed full access to the site and the massive arena shows, but were restricted from doing certain things like the "Action Centers" (rappelling, BMX, archery, etc.). For 2013 that is all changing. Visitors will be barred from the main campus of the Jamboree. Instead there will be a separate "Visitor's Village" with things for visitors to see and do. And while in 2010 the BSA started asking for a $10 "donation" per carload of visitors, they'll be charging a set admission fee for visitors in 2013 and I believe you will be required to pre-register.

Here's the web site of the new Jamboree home.

 

[Meriweather]

My son went to the National Jamboree many years ago. He had a great time.
His troop did fund raisers to help with the cost. It was well worth it and they had a great time.
They even went to Disney World......and a lot of touring in DC.

He has also been to a World Jamboree.

 

[momrek06]

Absolutely, the BSA Jamboree is a must see must go to if you are a scout and your troop is going! I have two Eagles (2000/2003). They went to as many Jamboree's as possible that their troop attended. The troop would fund raise all year long but we as parents also made payments throughout the year prior to the trip. Every time the boys came home, they talked extensively about how much they thoroughly enjoyed the Jamboree.

 

[momrek06]

Absolutely, the BSA Jamboree is a must see must go to if you are a scout and your troop is going! I have two Eagles (2000/2003). They went to as many Jamboree's as possible that their troop attended. The troop would fund raise all year long but we as parents also made payments throughout the year prior to the trip. Every time the boys came home, they talked extensively about how much they thoroughly enjoyed the Jamboree.


That's wicked cool about their new 'home', Geoff!

 

[momrek06]

This is an awesome post!!!

Yes, and yes. I've even PAID to work the last three Jamborees on staff. Our oldest son was a participant in 2010 and loved it. Our youngest will likely go in 2013.

The cost of the Jamboree itself is around $800. This is the "national fee" for attending the Jamboree itself. Jamborees are a "mountain top" Scouting experience for most boys. The rest of the money is the amount that your local council assess as the "touring package". That is, the cost of transportation, hotels and meals along the way, and any sight-seeing costs to and from the Jamboree. All in all, your probably looking at about a two week trip (depending on where you're coming from).

However, as for "what do you do at a Jamboree", I will say that for 2013 the National Scout Jamboree will be going through a major paradigm shift. From 1981 to 2010 it was held at the Army's Ft. AP Hill near Fredericksburg, VA that the BSA rented from the US DOD. In 2010 the BSA announced that it had, through a major donation, purchased a permanent site for the Jamboree in western West Virginia. It is in the "New River" area and is in much more of a "wilderness" area. During non-Jamboree periods, "The Summit" as it is known will be operated as a high-adventure base for white-water rafting and such. All of this is going to re-shape a lot of the Jamboree experience.

Given AP Hill's proximity to Washington, DC it used to be standard for troops to send several days touring our nation's capital... but given the additional distance to the new site, some council contingent troops may drop that option (and touring costs). Previously, troops had to bring all of their own equipment... now the BSA will provide all of the tenting and troop equipment. The troops only have to show up with personal gear. At AP Hill there things were spread out and there was a transportation system (school busses), at The Summit things will be more centrally located and boys will be expected to "hike" their stuff in to the troop sites. At AP Hill the list of activities was massive such that it was impossible for boys to do everything (earn merit badges, rappel, BMX, trap shoot, SCUBA, boating, Army adventure area, exhibits, hands on science area, etc., etc.) News is that The Summit will be the similar, but the mix will change with more of a "tilt" towards "high adventure" stuff that takes advantage of the locality.

Another change is that before the Jamboree consisted of about 40K participants and staff... plus about 10K daily visitors. Visitors were allowed full access to the site and the massive arena shows, but were restricted from doing certain things like the "Action Centers" (rappelling, BMX, archery, etc.). For 2013 that is all changing. Visitors will be barred from the main campus of the Jamboree. Instead there will be a separate "Visitor's Village" with things for visitors to see and do. And while in 2010 the BSA started asking for a $10 "donation" per carload of visitors, they'll be charging a set admission fee for visitors in 2013 and I believe you will be required to pre-register.

Here's the web site of the new Jamboree home.

 

[sbl56]

Yes it is worth it. The scouts have a great time and see and do things that sometimes can't do with their home troop. They will meet scouts from all over the world.

 

[Geoff_M]

Yes it is worth it. The scouts have a great time and see and do things that sometimes can't do with their home troop. They will meet scouts from all over the world.

I describe it as "It's basically camping with 40,000 of your best friends!" People that have participated in a Jamboree will know exactly what I mean.

 

[DebD4T]

That is exciting news!! DS is an eagle scout (actually he is an adult, since he is now 19) and he has never had the opportunity to attend a Jamboree.

One question about the "high adventure" aspect of the new site...
will that be in the same category as Philmont, Sea Base, and Northern Tier?

 

[Geoff_M]

That is exciting news!! DS is an eagle scout (actually he is an adult, since he is now 19) and he has never had the opportunity to attend a Jamboree.

One question about the "high adventure" aspect of the new site...
will that be in the same category as Philmont, Sea Base, and Northern Tier?

The Summit property is a 10,000 acre parcel that partially is a reclaimed strip mine. It also shares a 13 miles border with the 70,000 acre New River Gorge National River preserve that is managed by the National Park Service. At the 2010 Jamboree the NPS and BSA were both promoting the area as a whole and it looks like a lot of the proposed High Adventure programs (aimed at white water rafting, mountain biking, and rock climbing) will extend out to use the NRGNR property.

As for what this is going to mean for the Jamboree programming, I don't know. But I can speculate that there will be rafting, hiking in the gorge area, monster the zip-lines, and probably rappelling off of actual rock faces instead of the 4-story wooden towers at AP Hill.

One other change is that the BSA seems to be pushing the "low impact" angle. Past Jamborees have featured elaborate troop site gateways and many troops trucked in a lot of equipment to "spice" things up with back-home flavor, but all of that appears to be out the window. As I said, Scouts and leaders will be expected to hike in all of their gear personally from a bus "drop zone" on the edge of the site Jamboree campus with no option for equipment vans or trucks. Provided troop equipment will be waiting for them to set up in their designated camp site upon arrival. Staff has also been warned that things will be more spartan for them too than in the past. In the past, most of us were housed in Army GP Medium tents (10 to a tent) with electricity added for lights and fans and others stayed in Army barracks. All of that is no more. Staff will be in nylon tents with camping style bunk beds 4 to a tent.

Lastly, the BSA has opted to impose more "high adventure"-like physical requirements. Scouts, leaders, and staff will have to meet certain physical standards much like going to Philmont. They've warned up from that if you have a BMI over 30 (updated: it's 40, not 30) you will not be cleared to attend the 2013 Jamboree.

Your son will have an excellent chance to attend the Jamboree as staff. They offer steep discounts for young adult staffers and this time around they're offering the option of working on staff for the whole event or the first or second half if time-off from work or cost is an issue.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I describe it as "It's basically camping with 40,000 of your best friends!" People that have participated in a Jamboree will know exactly what I mean.

Absolutely - attended one as a child, and have attended one as a father. Amazing events.

 

[DeaverTex]

BMI over 30, eh? That eliminates about 90% of the commissioners I've seen, at least the ones I've seen at OA functions and summer camp. (Scouter here, never a scout but brotherhood OA) We never got to send our son to Jambo because of the cost. If you can afford it, it's supposed to be a great experience. (Sorry, I can't say 'cause in my years as a Scouter I've never met anyone who's been. Yeah, really! Isn't probability cool?)

 

[PrincessShmoo]

There is a Boy Scout Jamboree I think next year in Virginia. Its really expensive I think its $1600 for each participant. WHAT????? $1600!!!! Why is it so expensive?? Your camping. Do you bring home a car so something?? Is it worth the money??? What do you do???

Both my sons attended Jamboree (different years). DH worked the last Jamboree and attended one during his own scout years.

Definitely worth it.

Camping, for sure. But so much more. Meeting scouts from around the world. Merit badge work. Shows (last time they had Mike Rowe as a speaker) When oldest DS went, the president came and talked. High adventure stuff to do. Patch trading. Our council also included a pre-Jamboree trip to New York City, Boston, Philadelpia.

 

[Geoff_M]

BMI over 30, eh? That eliminates about 90% of the commissioners I've seen, at least the ones I've seen at OA functions and summer camp.

I agree... and I'm right on the edge of that one at 30! The BSA knows that this will be an issue with a lot of Scouters. Here's video that the BSA put out that addresses some of these changes (as well as the fitness requirements) in an effort to try and get people in shape now. It also shows some nice video of the site itself. I also stand corrected, the NO-GO BMI is 40. BMI over 32 will require an examination of medical records and clearance from the Jamboree medical department.

More video showing the site.

Also, Mike Rowe addressing the 75K or so people at the arena show in 2010. Rowe is an Eagle Scout and credits Scouting with positioning him for his career today.

 

[minniebeth]

Geoff, thank you so much for your information! My DS16 is currently working on his Eagle and loves high adventures. He did not attend the last Jamboree because he chose to go to Philmont that prior year and the costs to do both were prohibitive. We had no idea about the WV land acquisition, that is so cool! DS would love to attend one at some point.

Your information is very much appreciated!

 

[TwingleMum]

Thank you so much for the fabulous information. I have 4 boys and our oldest just bridged in May from Weeblos to Boy Scouts . In fact right now he is at Boy Scout camp with his troop. This has been a hard week on poor Mom. My baby is at sleep away camp for a week and has never been away from us. I cried when we dropped him off on Sun. I hugged him really tight. I'm 5'5 and my 11 yr old 'baby' is already taller than me. (I didn't let any of his friends see me cry ) He patted me on the head and told me "Don't worry Mom, you did a good job. I'm responsible. I'll be OK. " My GF called me her son is away with my DS and she called me this morning to tell me her son is having a really hard time. He cried when she left him. He had a meltdown on Monday and threw up. And last night a racoon got into his tent and tore it up and left a "gift". I still don't know if her son was in the tent at the time. Poor Kid. But to her sons credit he hasn't asked to come home.

 

[DebD4T]

Geoff, thank you for all the information!

DS is in Canada right now, at Northern Tier. When he gets home I will be sure to show him this thread.

 

[Geoff_M]

My baby is at sleep away camp for a week and has never been away from us. I cried when we dropped him off on Sun. I hugged him really tight. I'm 5'5 and my 11 yr old 'baby' is already taller than me. (I didn't let any of his friends see me cry ) He patted me on the head and told me "Don't worry Mom, you did a good job. I'm responsible. I'll be OK. " My GF called me her son is away with my DS and she called me this morning to tell me her son is having a really hard time. He cried when she left him. He had a meltdown on Monday and threw up. And last night a racoon got into his tent and tore it up and left a "gift". I still don't know if her son was in the tent at the time. Poor Kid. But to her sons credit he hasn't asked to come home.

If you haven't watched it yet, you'll like the Mike Rowe video link I posted. In the end, all of this stuff can become valuable learning lessons. I try and teach my Scouts "You often cannot control what happens to you in your life, but you can control how you react to it." I had more than my share of issues with homesickness as a young Scout, and I know that it's no fun to hear, or think, that your kid may be going through it... but the good thing is that the morality rate for homesickness is 0%. Most kids get through it. Things like the "raccoon story" tend to get funnier as the years pass!

 

[laurie31]

My DH went back in '85. He *still* talks about it!

It sounds like a great opportunity for a boy.

TwingleMom, "you did a good job. I'm responsible. I'll be OK." that is so sweet! Isn't that what we all hope for our kids!