The last time a world Scout jamboree was held in the U.S.
was in 1967 at Farragut State Park in Idaho. For the 2019 event,
units traveled to West Virginia from points all over the world.
Many came as part of a month-long or two-month-long trip
with the jamboree as just one stop on their journey, making
sightseeing a key part of their travel plans. Some units visited
New York, Washington, D.C. and national parks. WVU even
hosted groups in its residence halls, offering campus tours and
activities at its Outdoor Education Center.
“They took advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
to visit the U.S.,” says Corio.
Approximately 85-90 percent of participants were visiting
West Virginia for the first time, according to Kenn Miller, the
Summit Bechtel Reserve’s director of programs and operations.
“The world jamboree gave me faith in humanity,” says Corio.
“These Scouts are hopefully future leaders of countries that
are interacting and understanding that it doesn’t matter what
country we’re from—that we are all human beings, and we
can interact and get along.”
2019 World Scout Jamboree
In Numbers
• 145 countries represented
• 15,650 day visitors attended
• 800 campsites constructed
• 322 shower houses utilized
• More than 4,000 staff meals served
• Attendees were 45% female and 55% male
• Scout ages ranged from 14-18 years
• 43,000 individuals lived on-site throughout
the jamboree
Source: Boy Scouts of America
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