Every four years since 1937–Scouts from all over the United States and many international countries gather and attend the Jamboree in Fort A.P. Hill–Virginia for two weeks in the summer months. Boy Scouts of America has held 14 National Scout Jamborees. This year the Jamboree was held from July 23-August 1st with more than 40,000 participants.
With many Community and Religious leaders–this year Armenian Religious and Scouting representatives Rev. Vazken Atmajian from the Western Prelacy and Berdj Djamdjian from Homenetmen were invited to participate at the 2001 Jamboree.
The invited guest participants were there to observe and witness this mammoth undertaking of the Jamboree. The youth were at their best learning–playing–having fun with many activities; all kinds of water sports like swimming–canoeing,–sailing–fishing–and many adventurous activities like hiking–pioneering–nature study–science and sporting.
On Sunday–all the Scouts participated in Religious Services of their denominational choice. Most of the representative religions (Roman–Catholic–Eastern Orthodox–Episcopal–Jewish–LDS. Lutherans–and many more) were present and held services.
The endurance of the Scouts participating at the Jamboree was commendable. All the downpour and thunderstorm on Thursday afternoon and the rain on Sunday–did not keep them from their activities. Even with all those obstacles–the spirits of the Scouts were high; nothing could bring them down. They are the leaders of tomorrow.