With this year's NOAC well underway, the Boy Scouts has another large event ahead of it: the 2001 National Scout Jamboree. This event is held every four years at Fort A.P. Hill, an army base in Virginia. The Jamboree brings together Scouts from across the nation and the world. Once again, the Order of the Arrow will provide critical service to Scouting at the Jamboree.
The Jamboree will be held from July 23 to August 1, 2001. More than 36,000 Scouts and Scouters are expected to attend.
The Jamboree will be packed with program features that will reflect the skills of Scouting, the nation's heritage, physical fitness, conservation and the spirit of brotherhood. This colossal event will be filled with a number of events and activities, such as the Merit Badge Midway - which includes most merit badges, shooting sports, boating and competitive events.
Some of the overall highlights of the Jamboree are the massive shows produced several times during the nine-day event. In 1997, the President spoke at one of the shows. He was only one of many special guests to attend the Jamboree.
The National Scout Jamboree is often referred to as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many Scouts, and the OA is committed to making that experience a memorable one. The Order will take on an integral role at the Jamboree by providing support and cheerful service
According to the OA National Committee Member Ken Davis, the OA Service Corps will include more than 150 Arrowmen and perform a variety of tasks. Arrowmen are now being recruited to serve on that staff.
The well-attended "Odyssey of the Law" program will not be back in 2001, but a different video-interactive program named "Scoutopia" will emerge. Its premise will be similar to that of Odyssey's, teaching Scouts about good decisions and what is right. You can find out more about "Scoutopia" here.
The OA will also directly support a TOAP site, and an Indian Village. In addition, hundreds of Arrowmen will serve on subcamp, regional, and national staffs.
To apply for an OA staff position, pick up an application from your local council service center. You must pick up the application from your council; due to the format, the application is not available online. Be sure to write "OA" and the particular program you are interested in on the application. More information about the lead advisers for the various roles for Arrowmen at the Jamboree is available from the 1999 National Planning Meeting page. Jamboree Vice Chiefs (JVCs) for the committees will be elected at the 2000 National Planning Meeting.
For more than 60 years, the Boy Scouts has held National Scout Jamborees for its members throughout the United States. More than 550,000 Scouts and Scouters have taken part in the memorable experience since the first Jamboree was held at the base of the Washington Monument in 1937.
The 2001 National Scout Jamboree will represent 20 years of the event at Fort A.P. Hill, and the 60th anniversary of the fort.
The jamboree emblem with a red border is for participants and for youth staff under 18. The emblem with a gold border is for participants and staff 18 and older.
Revised 8/01/00.