It will soon be one hundred years since an Unknown Scout helped an American businessman, William D. Boyce, find his way through a London fog. This simple, selfless act led Mr. Boyce to bring the fledgling movement of Boy Scouting to America in1910. To help celebrate the founding, the Boy Scouts of America will offer the 17^th National Scout Jamboree during the summer of 2010.

WHAT IS THE NATIONAL SCOUT JAMBOREE?

Every four years or so, the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America organizes the ultimate Boy Scout experience, the National Jamboree! The next National Jamboree is scheduled in 2010 to coincide with the 100th birthday of the Boy Scouts of America! Over 40,000 Scouts and Scouters attended the last Jamboree in 2005. All the excitement of past Jamborees will be incorporated into the 2010 National Jamboree with new themes and shows.

What goes on at a Jamboree? Everything that the combined resources of the National Council plus hundreds of the best volunteers from every local council, can provide, such as: 5K Fun Run, 4-way Volleyball, Rifle Shooting, Action Alley, Bikathlon's, Buckskin Games, Confidence Courses, Bicycle Motocross, Pioneering, Rappelling Towers, Trapshooting, Fishing, Canoe Slalom, Scuba Diving, Kayaking, a HUGE Merit Badge Midway, Daily Stage Shows, Patch Trading, and the Order of the Arrow American Indian Village, and much more!

YOUTH QUALIFICATIONS:

Based on previous Jamborees, we anticipate that a Scout must have completed the sixth grade or be at least 12 years of age by July 1, 2010, be active in his troop for 6 months prior to July 1, 2010, attain the rank of First Class by July 1, 2010, have a completed Class 3 “National Jamboree” physical, participate in the pre-jamboree training, and be approved by his Scoutmaster and the Sam Houston Area Council Jamboree Committee.

ADULT QUALIFICATIONS:

Unit Contingent leadership positions are selected through an interview process. Interviews will be scheduled initially in October 2008. Based of previous jamborees, we anticipate the following:

Scoutmaster and First Assistant Scoutmaster Qualifications - Have served as a Scoutmaster for at least one year during the three-year period prior to July 1, 2010; have completed basic Scoutmaster training; participate in a pre-jamboree training experience; file a personal health and medical record prior to the pre-jamboree training; be approved by the local council. (Although not required, Wood Badge and/or Scoutmaster's Key is a desirable qualification.) The Scoutmaster must be able to serve as a role model of physical fitness.

Second Assistant Scoutmaster Qualifications - At least 21 years of age by July 1, 2010, and have served actively in an adult troop leadership position for at least one year during the three-year period prior to July 1, 2005; participate in a pre-jamboree training experience; file a personal health and medical record prior to the pre-jamboree training; be approved by the local council.

Third Assistant Scoutmaster Qualifications - At least 18 years of age (strong preference for those who have not reached 21) by August 4, 2010; have served actively in a Scout troop leadership position; participate in a pre-jamboree training experience; file a personal health and medical record prior to the pre-jamboree training; be approved by the local council.

PRE-JAMBOREE TRAINING:

The participants will meet as members of a troop about four times before attending the Jamboree. One of these meetings is a weekend campout at Kuester Training Area, Camp Strake, to give the Scouts experience working together as patrols and troops. It is very important that the Scouts commit to attend each of these meetings, as vital information will be given out at these times. The dates of these meetings will be announced by September 2009.

TRANSPORTATION, FOOD, AND EQUIPMENT:

Our Jamboree troops will tour Washington DC and surrounding historic sites in addition to the Jamboree itself. During the tour, we plan to stay in an area hotel. The food costs, plus patrol and troop equipment, are included in the Jamboree fee. Personal equipment and two complete uniforms are the responsibility of the individual Scouts.

ORGANIZATION:

The participants will be placed in Sam Houston Area Council troops, consisting of 36 Scouts and 4 qualified and trained adult leaders each. Each troop will be a member of the Council’s official contingent. Once the troops are formed and leaders selected, you will receive information through your Jamboree troop Scoutmaster. In 2005 we had nine troops (324 youth members and 36 adult leaders) in the contingent. Because of the anticipated response for the 100^th anniversary, we are requesting more troops for the 2010 National Jamboree. However, we will not know if that request will be granted until later in 2008.

In January 2009, the Sam Houston Area Council must make a non-refundable payment based on the numbers on contingent troops. Based on registration response, we may reduce the total number of troops in the council contingent. All available participation slots are first come, first served.

COST:

We project that the 2010 fee will be approximately $2500. Please understand that this fee is an estimate only and could increase. Every effort will be made to keep this fee as low as possible, while preserving the quality of the Jamboree experience. This fee will cover the National Jamboree fee, travel and tour expenses, meals, lodging, unit and patrol equipment, accident and sickness insurance, the cost of pre-jamboree training, as well as a set of patches , cap and t-shirt. The only additional expense will be your personal equipment, uniforms, and spending money.

HOW TO APPLY:

The 2010 National Scout Jamboree will use an online application process for all Scouts, leaders, and Jamboree staff applicants desiring to attend the jamboree. The Registration Website will be activated in June 2008.

Interested youth, unit contingent leaders, and prospective staff members must complete an online application. It is accessed through the www.scouting.org website. You will need to use your BSA ID number to access the application Website. You may obtain your Personal ID most readily from your Membership Card. Personal ID numbers may also be obtained readily from your unit advancement or committee chairman if your unit tracks advancement through the BSA Internet Advancement process. Although there may be a delay in obtaining information, you may also ask your District Executive to look up your Personal ID number for you.

The initial application fee is $10. This fee is nonrefundable and does apply to the registration fee. You will be directed to print a confirmation and send it to the council with a $100 deposit. The confirmation will state that their application must be accepted by the council and does not guarantee participation. Note: Individuals seeking jamboree staff positions will pay fees online by credit card to the National Council.

Upon receipt of the confirmation and $100 deposit, contingent members will be directed to review the following estimated fee payment schedule:

PAYMENT SCHEDULE based on a $2500 fee:

		SCOUT FEE				LEADER FEE
RESERVATION FEE		$100		WITH APPLICATION		$100
SECOND PAYMENT		$200		SEPTEMBER 1, 2008		$0
THIRD PAYMENT		$400		DECEMBER 1, 2008		$400
FOURTH PAYMENT		$400		MARCH 1, 2009		$400
FIFTH PAYMENT		$400		JUNE 1, 2009		$400
SIXTH PAYMENT		$400		SEPTEMBER 1, 2009		$400
SEVENTH PAYMENT		$300		FEBRUARY 1, 2010		$300
FINAL PAYMENT		$290		APRIL 1, 2010		$290

REFUND POLICY:

The Council contracts for services on behalf of the contingent’s participants. Refunds are based on monies already committed for the services. If for some reason you are not able to go, there is another way to get a refund. You will get a full refund, less $260, if you recruit another participant to go in your place and if, the contingent is full when it departs for the Jamboree.

Sometimes there are special circumstances that preclude a participant from attending. If you fall into that category, then a written refund request will be reviewed by the Council Jamboree Committee and its Staff Advisor. All refund requests must be submitted in writing and sent to the Council Jamboree Committee for processing.