Boy Scout Jamboree Celebrates 100 Years of Scouting

05 August 2010

Boy Scouts from 26 countries at a jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia

FAITH LAPIDUS: Welcome to American Mosaic in VOA Special English.

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I’m Faith Lapidus.

Today we listen to a new album from pop star Miley Cyrus …

And answer a question about basketball star LeBron James ...

But first we visit some campers under the stars at the National Boy Scout Jamboree.

National Boy Scout Jamboree

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FAITH LAPIDUS: Tens of thousands of boys from all over the world gathered in the state of Virginia on July twenty-sixth for ten days of camping, community service and friendship. It was the Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree, which is held every four years at Fort A.P. Hill Army base. But this year was a special Jamboree. Mario Ritter tells why.

MARIO RITTER: This Boy Scout Jamboree celebrated one hundred years of Scouting. Tent cities covered the grounds of the large army base in Virginia. About forty-five thousand boys and leaders from all fifty states and many foreign countries took part.

The national Jamboree recognizes the goals of the Boy Scouts. They are to develop character, physical fitness and citizenship through community and outdoor activities.

Chase Olivieri is a Boy Scout from Puerto Rico. He says the Jamboree is about the desire to get outside and try new experiences. He says a lot of kids spend so much time with computers and media. Scouting gives them a way to get outdoors, go camping and have fun in a different way.