Scouts to move Jamboree from A.P. Hill

Gathering is set to move to Rockbridge County in 2013.

Date published: 2/12/2009

By MICHAEL FELBERBAUM
Associated Press Writer

RICHMOND - The Boy Scouts of America is hoping it has found a permanent home in southwestern Virginia for its national Jamboree.

The Irving, Texas-based organization will mark its 100th anniversary with the 2010 Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill in Caroline - the site used since 1981 - and then plans to move to Goshen in Rockbridge County in 2013 for the gathering.

The event that brings thousands of Boy Scouts from around the country is held every four years, but the next one is being pushed back a year to 2010 to coincide with the centennial.

The National Scout Jamboree has traditionally drawn about 42,000 Scouts, volunteers and workers to the Fredericksburg area.

An additional 2,200 military personnel are on hand in support roles, and 270,000 visitors descend on the site once the jamboree opens to the public.

All that activity pumps an estimated $17 million to $25 million into the local economy--$7.4 million for hotel and restaurant sales alone, according to figures from the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The event also generally attracts a couple of big-name musical acts as well as the president.

While the ultimate goal is for Goshen to serve as the permanent site of the event, much needs to be done to make that happen including land aquisition and development, said Nicole Slater, a spokeswoman for the Scouts.

“They’re not looking at other places right now; we’re still embarking on the process, not at the end of it,” Slater said.

The decision came after an 18-month review of possible locations to create a national scouting center, officials said in a news release. The center would focus on creating a permanent home for the Jamboree, establishing a new high-adventure base and creating new training opportunities.

Follow us on

Date published: 2/12/2009