National Jamboree

Adventurers Wanted!

High adventure like you’ve never seen. Whitewater, climbing, zip lines, mountain biking, and much, much more. (Not to mention all of the things you’ve grown to love about the jamboree: patch trading, SCUBA, arena shows, Technology Quest … who could ask for more?) The 2013 National Scout Jamboree is not your father’s jamboree. History created by you. This will be the first jamboree at its new permanent home – The Summit, in beautiful West Virginia – and you’ll be there for the grand opening.

Payment Schedule

Trip costs $1,490 (including: Jambo fees, coach travel, travel meals, t-shirts, patches, shakedown training, back pack/water hydration pack, Jambo duffel, fun in the sun, and other awesome things) and please pay $100 by the end of each month starting February, 2012. Note there might be extra side excursions depending on fundraising as well.
Costs may be paid quarterly or in larger sums, but accounts balances need to be – $200 by March 2012, $700 by August 2012, $1,100 by December 2012, and any remaining balance needs to be paid by April, 2013.

Payment Procedures

Send payment to Gateway Area Council, 2600 Quarry Rd., La Crosse, WI 54601
Make checks payable to BSA-Gateway Area Council – Memo line – write scout name and National Jamboree payment.

Fundraising Opportunities

Hike-A-Thon 2012 on June 2nd – 100% (50% Local and 50% Council) raised will go towards your Jambo fees.
Popcorn 2012 – 50% (32% Local and 18% Council) of your total sale will go towards your Jambo fees.

Brat Barn – June 30, 2012 in Holmen and August 25, 2012 in Onalaska; times 9a to 6p. (equal percentage based on hours worked). Let ASM Zach know which day or both days you would like to earn some funds to go BIG and get WILD!
Other opportunities as they arise.

1st Class Rank/Refund Policy: Each scout must be 1st Class by July 13, 2013. There will be no refund unless there is a very serious, unexpected, and special situation should occur with notification. The situation will need to be approved by the Jamboree Committee and endorsed by the Council Executive. Exception would be if you can get someone else to take your Jambo spot. We have to pay for Jambo costs, traveling costs, purchases, and various fees before we leave; you would be responsible for these costs. Make sure you work hard this summer, next fall, winter, and spring – to earn your 1st Class Rank.

Physical Fitness—Be Prepared!

The Jamboree is a physically demanding experience. The Summit offers a very different environment than Fort A.P. Hill; West Virginia is called “the Mountain State” for a reason. The 2013 National Scout Jamboree is on foot, with all participants and staff walking/hiking everywhere. A number of our activities require more stamina and fitness too— climbing, rappelling, rafting, mountain biking, and skateboarding. It is essential that ALL participants are physically prepared. Take the simple online calculator at www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/ to determine if your BMI (body mass index) is right on. So get fit and stay fit for this Summit adventure of a life time:)

Troop leadership

The troops are run by the Patrol Method, and youth leadership, under the guidance of the adult scoutmasters. Once the troop is assembled, the Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant SPL, Scribe, and Quartermaster will be selected, and the balance of the youth will be placed into 4 patrols of 8 scouts. Each patrol will select their own Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader.

Visitors/Guests

Day visitors to The Summit are possible, but remember that contingent scouts get preferential access to the activities. Parking at the Jamboree is challenging, and there won’t be a bus system this time around.  You may be walking long distances. The arena shows are especially exciting, but allow extra time for security, particularly if the President comes in person. Plan for a lot of walking and standing. You should be just as acclimatized to the hot and humid weather as the participants. Nearby regional camping and hotel facilities will be full.

Jamboree Staff

How can I go, besides with the Contingent? Become part of the Jamboree Staff.
* Volunteer adults run the subcamps, the activities, medical support, and security, along with knowledgeable experts.
* Order of the Arrow provides several opportunities for youth to attend on staff, too. Project 2013 is recruiting 700 Arrowmen to serve on the Order of the Arrow staff at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree at The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve. Project 2013 will be comprised of three groups including the Jamboree Trek Guides, Day of Service Guides, and the OA Service Corps. All three groups will support a variety of new and traditional activities at the jamboree site. This will be the largest OA Service Corps contingent in history and the Order is looking for the best Arrowmen in the organization to join Project 2013. Plan to attend NOAC 2012 and sign up as a Project 2013 participant. Whether youth Arrowmen want to serve, act, or behind the scenes, it’s a great opportunity to interact with other Arrowmen from across the US.

For more information please e-mail Jamboinfo@gatewayareacouncil.org or call us at 608-784-4040