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2017 National Jamboree: Program Preview!

The program available at the 2017 National Scout Jamboree will be the most extensive, engaging programming that has ever been available to young people. The Summit Program Leadership Action Team, under the leadership of chairman Russell Smart, has devised a slate of programs in five distinct areas that will ensure no Scout has a bored moment at the Jamboree.

One theme throughout the program planning is choice. No Scout will have a chance to do it all — there’s just too much to do and too little time at the Jamboree to participate in absolutely everything. At the same time, no participant will be forced to do any particular program. The program team will support choices that tailor the experience to each Scout’s preferences.

Program is defined by five distinct experiences: Adventure Area, Jamboree Trek, Messengers of Peace Day of Service, AT&T Summit Stadium, and Scott Summit Center. Here’s what each has to offer:

Adventure Area Experience

All of the Adventure Area Experience will be based on elective sessions during all hours of operation. These elective sessions vary in length and required skill levels. The average time for any single elective activity is less than 30 minutes, meaning Scouts can try a wide variety of activities.

Adventure Area Experiences are exclusive to Jamboree participants, and the staff is working to ensure as many Scouts as possible can participate. There will be details as the Jamboree approaches about plans to allocate opportunities for ziplines, announce wait times, and give priority access to people whose timing is affected by weather.

Each experience will also be tailored to the individual: participants will be pre-assessed by the staff for their current skill level and will be assigned to activities that match that skill level. As the proficiency of the participant increases, he/she will have the opportunity to try activities at higher skill levels. Unless otherwise noted, there is no age restriction on the activity and all gear or special equipment will be provided by the activity. On aerial activities, there are some max/min weight restrictions.

Rafting is an OFFSITE OPTIONAL choice and there has already been much information provided on this activity. Offsite rafting is pre-ordered and paid through the Council contingent.

 Here’s the full list of offerings in the Adventure Area Experience:

  • Aerial Sports
    • Zip lines – STADIUM (Scott Summit Center) and ADVENTURE VALLEY (THE BIG ZIP)
    • Canopy tours – ACTION POINT (Scott Summit Center) and THE CANOPY (Venturers ONLY)
    • Challenge Courses – ACTION POINT (Scott Summit Center) and ADVENTURE VALLEY (THE ROPES)
    • Climbing walls – BOULDER COVE (Scott Summit Center) and ADVENTURE VALLEY (THE ROCKS)
  • Target Sports
    • Shooting – Shotgun, Rifle and Pistol (THE BARRELS)
    • Archery – Standard, 3D, and Sporting Arrows (THE BOWS)
  • Extreme Sports
    • BMX in ACTION POINT (Scott Summit Center) and THRASHER MOUNTAIN (THE TRAX)
    • Skateboarding in ACTION POINT (Scott Summit Center) and THRASHER MOUNTAIN ((THE PARK)
  • Mountain Biking
    • Mountain Biking in ACTION POINT (Scott Summit Center)
    • Cross Country Mountain Biking in ADVENTURE VALLEY (LOW GEAR)
  • Aquatics (including SCUBA)
    • Aquatics activities in GOODRICH LAKE (Scott Summit Center)
      • Kayaks, StandUp Paddleboard, Water Reality
    • Kayaking in ADVENTURE VALLEY (BRAVO Lake)
    • SCUBA and free swim at the aquatics area in LOWER RIDGE (THE POOLS)
  • Off-site Programs – Rafting on the New River (provided by certified private outfitters)
  • ATV Experience provided by Polaris
  • Science Behind the Sport programs offered by West Virginia University at several adventure areas.

Unit leaders may participate in selected Adventure Area activities but priority will always be given to youth participants.

Jamboree Trek to Garden Ground Mountain Experience

 The Jamboree Trek is an all-day adventure beginning at the unit campsite in the sub camp. Units will be led by an OA trek guide on a five to six mile hike to Garden Ground Mountain by one of several routes. Participants will carry their lunch with them to enjoy at the top of the mountain while they enjoy a full day of games and demonstrations. The event ends with a closing program before returning to camp via bus. Program activities are:

  • OA Indian Village
  • Buckskin Games
  • Pioneering
  • Highland Games
  • Spartan Games
  • Field Sports
  • Other Games and Demonstrations

Messengers of Peace Day of Service Experience

The Messengers of Peace Day of Service is a day of community service opportunity for the participants of each sub camp. This event will be facilitated by the Order of the Arrow and has been aligned with the world-wide Scouting initiative entitled “Messengers of Peace.” Projects have been pre-screened and vetted to ensure that they fit the capability of the participants. All unit leaders and selected staff will accompany the youth participants on this experience.

  • Service projects in selected West Virginia communities near the Summit
  • Service projects in the National Park Service land adjacent to the Summit

AT&T Summit Stadium Experience

 Throughout the Jamboree, all participants and staff will gather for shows to celebrate the Scouting, fellowship, and the memories they built at the Jamboree. The AT&T Summit Stadium Experience will also travel to each basecamp throughout the Jamboree through welcomes and bashes designed to bring Scouts together. Here’s the lineup:

  • AT&T Summit Stadium Shows
    • Celebration of Scouting Show on Saturday evening, 22 July. (Visitors may attend this show)
    • Fellowship and Service Show on Monday evening, 24 July.
    • Farewell Show on Thursday evening, 27 July.
  • Large scale worship services for Protestant, Catholic and LDS on Sunday morning, 23 July
  • JAMBO-PALOOZA
    • A scouting extravaganza on Sunday afternoon from 1 PM to 5 PM.
  • BASE CAMP WELCOMES simultaneously in the five participant base camps on arrival day
  • BASE CAMP BASHES in the five participant base camps
    • FOXTROT – Thursday evening, 20 July.
    • DELTA – Friday evening, 21 July.
    • CHARLIE – Sunday evening, 23 July.
    • BRAVO – Tuesday evening, 25 July.
    • ALPHA – Wednesday, 26 July.
  • Daily “Lunchtime Fun” events presented at various places around the Scott Summit Center.
  • Jamboree Band
    • Performances at various events throughout the jamboree

Scott Summit Center Experience

The Scott Summit Center is the beating heart of the Jamboree. It’s where Scouts can come to learn about everything from merit badges to the military to STEM to the world brotherhood of Scouting. Here are a sampling of the programs available: 

  • NESA and Order of the Arrow Exhibits
  • Conservation Trail
  • Sustainability Treehouse
  • Brownsea Island (located in GOODRICH LAKE in the Summit Center)
  • Scouting Heritage Exhibit
  • International Scouting and 2019 World Scout Jamboree Exhibits
  • BSA Exhibits and Displays (e.g. Boys’ Life, etc.)
  • Disability Awareness Area
  • Military and other governmental agency (e.g. NASA) Exhibits
    • New military exhibit area located at FREEDOM TRAIL located near THRASHER MOUNTAIN
  • West Virginia, Vendor and Sponsor Exhibits
  • Merit Badges in various exhibits spread throughout the Scott Summit Center (no “Merit Badge Midway”)
  • Fishing program in GOODRICH LAKE
  • STEM Quest program located in a new area adjacent to THE POOLS
    • Each unit will be assigned a specific half-day session to visit STEM Quest.
  • Duty to God and Country Exhibit Area
  • Day of Worship
  • Religious Emblems Award Program.
  • Chartered Organization Exhibits (in conjunction with Duty to God and Country area)
  • Daily Ceremonies at TWELVE POINTS in LEGACY VILLAGE (Scott Summit Center)
  • KSBSA (amateur shortwave radio)
  • Hometown Media
  • Jamboree Social Media

2017 National Jamboree Schedule

You’re probably asking yourself: how can we possibly fit even a fraction of these activities into our time at the Jamboree? While it’s subject to change between now and July, here’s a preview of the Jamboree schedule as currently planned:

Wednesday – Arrival day. Summit Center and Adventure Area open NOON to 5 PM. No visitors. Base camp welcome event.

Thursday – Summit Center open 8 AM to 5 PM. Adventure areas open 8 AM to 5 PM. Session 1 on Jamboree Trek and Day of Service. Offsite rafting. Special Visitors from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Friday – Summit Center open 8 AM to 5 PM. Adventure areas open 8 AM to 5 PM. Session 2 on Jamboree Trek and Day of Service. Offsite rafting. Visitors from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Saturday – Summit Center open 8 AM to 4 PM. Adventure areas open 8 AM to 4 PM.   No Jamboree Trek Experience. No Day of Service Experience. No rafting. Visitors allowed from 9 AM until end of show.

Sunday – Consolidated faith-based worship experiences in morning. “JAMBO-PALOOZA” in Stadium in afternoon. Visitors allowed from 1 PM to 5 PM. No program in Adventure Areas. No Jamboree Trek. No Day of Service. No rafting.

Monday – Summit Center open 8 AM to 5 PM. Adventure areas open 8 AM to 5 PM. Session 3 on Jamboree Trek and Day of Service. Offsite rafting. Visitors from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Tuesday – Summit Center open 8 AM to 5 PM. Adventure areas open 8 AM to 5 PM. Session 4 on Jamboree Trek and Day of Service. Offsite rafting. Visitors from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Wednesday – Summit Center open 8 AM to 5 PM. Adventure areas open 8 AM to 5 PM. Session 5 on Jamboree Trek and Day of Service. Offsite rafting. Visitors from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Thursday – Summit Center open 8 AM to 4 PM. Adventure areas open 8 AM to 4 PM. Makeup date for Jamboree Trek if one of the regular days is cancelled for some reason. Offsite rafting. Visitors from 9 AM to 4 PM.

Friday – Departure day. Participants depart in morning. Staff begin departure in afternoon.

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