GLEN JEAN, W.Va — As quickly as it came, the 2017 Boy Scout National Jamboree has come to an end.
Scouts and volunteers began moving out of Summit Bechtel Reserve at around 4 a.m. Friday. The 10 day event drew Scouts from across the nation. Most in attendance had never been to West Virginia before. House of Delegates Member and Jamboree organizer Ed Evans said during WJLS’s Radio Roundtable Friday the opportunities Scouts have at the Summit are unique.
“The opportunities that the kids get at the Jamboree, they’ll get nowhere else,” Evans said. “All of these inner-city kids that come down to West Virginia are repelling, rock climbing, white-water rafting on the New (River), they are ziplining. I keep saying it’s Disneyland.”
Before Scouts had to load the buses early this morning, they had one last night of fun together. The Jamboree’s farewell ceremonies Thursday night included a surprise concert from the popular band “Plain White T’s”. Evans complimented the performers, saying the Scouts seemed to enjoy every minute of it.
“We did not know until the youth, that was the emcee, introduced the Plain White T’s. I’m telling you, they absolutely rocked the place.”
As everyone at AT&T Summit Stadium sang along to hits like “Hey There, Delilah” and “Rhythm of Love”, organizers prepared for a one-of-a-kind fireworks display. The nearly 12 minute display was coupled with a lazer show and background music. The display could be seen and heard for miles, with many travelers stopping along the road to watch.
“People told me it created quite a traffic jam on (Route) 19 as people were pulling off the side of the road to watch,” Evans described.
While exact numbers have not been released, Jamboree organizers originally predicted Scouts would complete around 100,000 hours of community service projects throughout West Virginia. These projects included building a footbridge in Wyoming County, cleaning and landscaping Jackie Withrow Hospital in Beckley and upgrading facilities at New River Gorge National River to name a few.
Raleigh County Solid Waste Authority Director of Education Sherrie Hunter said in an earlier interview that the Scouts are a special group of young men. Troops from Illinois and Missouri completed multiple service projects at the Solid Waste Authority, including deconstructing wood pallets to give to the needy as kindle during the winter.
“They have left an indelible mark on our hearts here,” Hunter said. “These Scouts are doing wonderful work all over.”
Jackie Withrow Hospital Administrator had a similar statement, saying they will be greatly missed. Scouts were at the hospital everyday volunteering throughout the Jamboree.
“They have been tremendous. I’m looking here at the flower bed, and it has never looked so great. The kids are really working so it’s been incredible.”
The Summit Bechtel Reserve will see activity again 2019 for the World Scout Jamboree. The event will run from July 22 to August 9 and host Scouts from around 160 nations. Planning has already begun for the event, as well as for the next National Boy Scout Jamboree in 2021.