From July 25 through August 3, more than 35,000 Boy Scouts and leaders from nearly 900 troops from around the country will assemble in Caroline County, Virginia, for the 2005 National Scout Jamboree. The jamboree celebrates the 95-year Scouting tradition and allows Scouts to participate in a variety of activities that reflect Scouting's commitment to physical fitness and conservation along with the spirit of brotherhood.

For 10 days every four years, the normally pastoral Caroline County goes from being Virginia's 50th most populous county to the 14th. In addition to 35,000 Boy Scouts and leaders, a volunteer staff of more than 7,000 men and women will manage the equivalent of a small city, complete with telephone and Internet systems, a hospital, police and fire departments, post offices, retail stores, warehouses, and a daily newspaper.

During the jamboree, Scouts will practice and demonstrate skills in archery, orienteering, obstacle course maneuvering, trap shooting, boating, canoeing, rappelling, and a host of other activities. For five days of the 10-day event, the public is invited to share the jamboree experience and visit the Merit Badge Midway and the arena shows. Explorers such as adventurer and balloonist Steve Fossett; America's Cup winner William Koch; and the first American to summit Mount Everest, Jim Whittaker; are just a few of the world-renowned explorers expected for the arena shows.

"The jamboree gives Scouts an opportunity to test the skills they have learned through Scouting and try new things," said Roy Williams, Chief Scout Executive, BSA. "However, the greatest benefit of the jamboree is when Scouts from all over America and the world come together to share the brotherhood of Scouting."

In support of Scouting's commitment of service to others, the jamboree will feature three large-scale Good Turn for America service projects. As a part of these service projects, U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, honorary chairman of Good Turn for America, will be visiting the jamboree overseeing a house build, a 5K run, and food distribution to Caroline County food pantries.

Serving nearly 4.1 million young people between 7 and 20 years of age with more than 300 councils throughout the United States and its territories, the Boy Scouts of America is the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training.

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