BSA Searches for New Jamboree Site
Posted in Scouting News by John E. Pannell on June 5th, 2008 at 5:02 am It’s been widely known for some time now that in 2010 the BSA will hold its last National Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia. This has been the BSA’s permanent site since 1981. The partnership that has developed between the BSA and the US military has been a great boon to all involved.
The BSA has partnered with McCallum Sweeney Consulting for assistance in locating and evaluating potential sites. One of the most interesting sentences in this press release is this:
“Securing a permanent home for the National Scout Jamboree, beginning with the 2013 event, is one of several initiatives launched in celebration of the BSA’s 100th Anniversary.”
With this single sentence we now have confirmation that the BSA intends to return to holding jamborees on alternate odd numbered years after the 2010 event. There has been some discussion on the arrow-l listserv the past few days regarding what implications this holds for the Order of the Arrow and its national conferences.
Several requirements have been enumerated in the press release for the new site:
- Have spectacular natural beauty;
- Have water for recreational activities;
- Be at least 5,000 acres and available for donation, long-term lease (100+ years), or sale;
- Be located within 25 miles of an interstate or a four-lane divided highway;
- Be located within 150 miles of a commercial service airport with medium or large hub status;
- Be located in an area with adequate medical services;
- Be accessible year-round via standard modes of transportation.
This list is also rather interesting. It indicates the BSA desires a permanent location for its National Jamborees. It also would imply that at least someone in Irving is contemplating using the site for other events. Chief Scout Executive Mazucca even refers to “associated year-round use” in the press release.
There are also many implications for the BSA’s Order of the Arrow (OA). The next National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) is scheduled for 2009. Before that and since 1986 NOACs were held in even numbered years. The move to 2009 was to avoid the BSA National Jamboree in 2010 and to put the OA on target to have a NOAC in 2015, its centennial. Now some change in the OA’s plans will probably be made to avoid having a NOAC and Jamboree both held in the Summer of 2013. Much speculation ensued on the list.
Mark Chilutti reminded the list that nothing has yet been decided beyond having a NOAC tentatively scheduled for 2011. This announcement was made after the most recent OA National Committee meeting and has not even been formally discussed yet by this body. Let me be clear: the only national OA events currently scheduled are this Summer’s ArrowCorps5, NOAC 2009, and a tentatively scheduled NOAC for 2011. Anything else is just speculation at this point.
In my personal opinion a likely possibility involves rescheduling the 2011 NOAC. Hold the NOAC in 2009. The next NOACs after that would be held in 2012, 2015 (the OA centennial), and 2018 (to avoid the assumed 2017 National Jamboree). There are several other worthy options as well which I’ll leave to the readers to discuss.
I have also been told that the current Chief Scout Executive (CSE) wishes to have the BSA host the 2019 World Jamboree. Returning the National Jamboree to alternate odd-numbered years makes this more possible. However, the World Organization of the Scouting Movement (WOSM) has made no decision on a World Jamboree in that year. I have no confirmation if this really is the CSE’s wish, or just a pipe dream by some Scouter somewhere. This is all pure speculation at this point.
The Bonnaroo site near Manchester, TN might be an ideal spot, but it would require a much smaller event.
The festival tops out around 80k to 100k people. For something like a Jambo, I imagine that 60k would be a more realistic number.
TEn Mile River Scout Camps has also been rumored as a site. It would meet most if not all of the criteria. The property already owned by GNYC (and hence the BSA) is circa 12,000 acres. The westernmost side of the camp is currently not used for summer camp and contains what were Camp Kunatah, Camp Chappegat, Camp Ihpetonga, Camp Kotohke, Camp Davis Lake, and Camp Hayden. That section contains two lakes. It is basically the old Camp Brooklyn grounds.
Not sure what the overall acerage on ‘that’ side of the road is, but there is certainly 5000+ acres available on the reservation.