We just had a visitor in that passed on some interesting “news.” I’m calling it that until I get confirmation. It seems incredibly dumb but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. The news is that after 2010 the next jamboree is now set for 2015. The reason for the change either from 2014 or even 2013 that I’ve heard was the Scouts’ need for a new jamboree site. The reason this is dumb is that’s the 100th anniversary of the OA.

The short list of sites are ending up with a target location of the mid-Atlantic region. This makes a lot of sense. It is closest to the population centers. There will remain the substantial side tour potentials that don’t exist in other parts of the country. That is, contingents can plan tours to Civil War battlegrounds, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, historical sites in New York and the New England area, sites in Virginia. The list goes on and on. There had been some speculation that the new jamboree site could be in Texas. I’m sure the state has land and that the Scouts have benefactors to support it but it would be out of the way. But, as one Scout Exec. from Houston pointed out to me at a Philmont training session, “Who wants to camp in Texas in the summer?”

Anyone else able to refute this news or confirm? Inquiring minds want to know.

• » Comments (10)