CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Boy Scouts of America is looking for volunteers to organize community service projects across West Virginia during the National Jamboree this summer.
The Arrow to the Summit Community Service Initiative will coincide with the Boy Scouts National Jamboree from July 18-29 at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in Fayette County.
The Citizens Conservation Corps is working with community leaders to develop projects in all 55 counties.
“We need to encourage every county to come up with projects that the Scouts can come in on and other volunteers in that county can help with,” said Governor Jim Justice following a Friday press conference at the state Capitol.
Last year, nearly 40,000 Scouts were sent to nine West Virginia counties and performed about 500,000 hours of community service. The CCC reported those hours resulted in an economic impact of over $5 million.
David Kopsa, program adviser with the Boy Scouts of America, said they’re expanding their efforts this year to all 55 counties.
“They’re going to be going out to various communities and doing work out in West Virginia. It’s really a great opportunity for them to see West Virginia and to actually get to work alongside West Virginians,” Kopsa said.
“We help people,” he said. “It’s about teaching young folks values that will lead them to be great citizens of our country and the world.”
In 2013, the CCC said volunteers completed more than 350 projects during five days of service in Fayette, Greenbrier, McDowell, Mercer, Monroe, Nicholas, Raleigh, Summers and Wyoming counties.
This year, the initiative will target over 500 projects in the state, creating an economic impact of more than $7 million, according to estimates from the CCC.
To get involved, visit the Citizens Conservation Corps website.