World Jamboree in USA 2019 [ 2 ]

The participation of a coed Explorer Post as part of the 1995 BSAcontingent to the XVIII WSJ in the Netherlands was a first step athaving a BSA coed representation at a WSJ. At the 1999 XIX WSJ inChile, each Region fielded one or more crews, again a small number,but a good effort. The 2003 XX WSJ in Thailand also fieldedRegional BSA Venturing Crews, and again the numbers were slightlylarger. At the 2007 XXI Centennial WSJ in England, even moreRegional Venturing crews participated. It is reasonable to expectthat a significantly larger Venturing presence will be seen in Swedenfor the XXII WSJ in 2011 since the Venue, (like Norway) should behighly attractive to youth.

The Venturing Crews with which I had the opportunity to participatein Chile and in Thailand were very enthusiastic and had a mostdelightful time sharing international dinners and campfires withtheir peers from England, Thailand, Sweden, and many othernations. Many new friends were made with whom our Venturers stillcorrespond.

Thus it is conceivable that by 2019, Venturing may have a significantopportunity to send many young men and women as coed Crews to bemore in keeping with their international peers. Since the age rangesfor most international Jamboree Scouts fall into the same averageranges as those of the Venturing program (14-20) this appears to be asignificant opportunity. It would be even better if the upper agerange for Venturers permitted to attend could be raised as the peakmembership numbers for Venturers in Crews today is around16-17. Perhaps the WOSM could be asked to reconsider the upper agelimits and extend them by a year or so.

Similarly the opportunities for youth and adults to serve on theInternational Service Team in support of the jamboree would be
significant and highly enjoyable.

Many of the BSA youth in Scout troops attending WSJ in Chile and inThailand were surprised to learn that Regional Venturing Crews wereat the jamboree and many said they wished they had known about theopportunity to attend as a Venturer, and that they would have likedbeing a member of a Crew since our Venturers shared with them howworthwhile their experiences as a coed unit at the Jamboree were.

I very much agree on the need for a return to Home Hospitality forinternational Scouts. Our Scouts and Explorers who attended the XVIWSJ in Australia in 1987-88 were hosted by families in New Zealandand reported that those experiences were as meaningful as theJamboree itself. Certainly the logistics of providing suchopportunities for that many international Scouts would be daunting,but given sufficient time to negotiate such arrangements, would be adelightful experience for both the host families and theinternational Scouts. Perhaps local councils could be asked toassist in recruiting host families in their locales toaccomodate touring international Scouts.

I certainly hope that BSA is selected to host the XXIV WSJ in2019. The 1967 XII WSJ in Idaho was a wonderful event in a mostmagnificent setting (attended by Lady Olave Baden-Powell) at FarragutState Park by Lake Pend Oreille, and a similar venue for 2019 wouldbe most delightful return to the USA some 52 years later.

Bob Amick,
(ret.) Advisor/Skipper Venturing Crew/Sea Scout Ship 72,
ASM Troop 72, Boulder, CO
AA WR Venturing Crew XIX WSJ-Chile 1999, Advisor, WR Venturing Crew
XX WSJ-Thailand 2003