National Jamboree Set To Open Under Stormy Skies

The scout motto, Be Prepared, may come in handy for the 3,000 or so volunteers and staff already on site at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in Fayette County – just in time for what’s expected to be severe weather with high winds and possible flash flooding.  

“We have had bad weather before, and we have come through with flying colors, quite frankly,” Scott Armstrong with Scouting America said. “We have tremendous numbers of people here that, in their private lives, are subject material experts. We have law enforcement, we have firefighters, emergency folks, all sorts of people that do this for their livelihoods. We’re ready for anything that Mother Nature or anybody else wants to bring towards us.” 

On Wednesday the staff will welcome more than 10,000 scouts from across the country to Scouting America’s 2026 National Jamboree. This year marks the fifth years for West Virginia to host the annual event.  

“They will be experiencing everything from some of the world’s longest zip lines to one of the largest shooting facilities, huge skateboard parks, archery, ATVs, all sorts of science and technology,” Armstrong said.  

He said scouting today – for both boys and girls – is a lot more than just having marshmallows around a campfire. 

“We also have kids here that are going to be the next generation of astronauts. They’re going to invent the next generation of alternative fuel. They’re going to be the next business leaders and government leaders. So it’s really exciting to see 15, 16, 17-year-olds come alive, probably doing one of their biggest scouting adventures ever in their scouting career here. And West Virginia has been a tremendous host for it.” 

Drivers should expect increased traffic in Glen Jean and the surrounding area through July 31. For more information about the 2026 National Jamboree, visit jamboree.scouting.org.