The information in this post was obtained from the official Boy Scout Jamboree website at www.bsajamboree.org. Troop 1445, representing Twin Valley Council in South Central Minnesota, had 32 Scouters at the largest arena show in Scouting history. The program rocked! The following summary of last night’s show is an understatement of the fun we had!
PS – Check back for more updates and links to photos about Troop 1445’s Jamboree experience.
“A Shining Light Across America” Celebrates 100 Years of Scouting
Record numbers gathered in Fort AP Hill, Va., to watch the spectacular Centennial Celebration show. It was the best ever at a national Scout jamboree with the largest fireworks display ever to be staged on a military post. The show included a message from the 44th President of the United States – and the Honorary President of the Boy Scouts of America – Barack Obama, a presentation from Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca, a return appearance from Eagle Scouts Alex Boylan, winner of CBS’s The Amazing Race and Burton Roberts from CBS’s Survivor, a performance by the popular band Switchfoot and an appearance by Mike Rowe from Discover Channel’s popular television program Dirty Jobs.
Many more gathered in venues large and small across the country to watch the first ever broadcast of a jamboree arena show made possible by the special 100th anniversary celebration program, “A Shining Light Across America.”
From Times Square in New York to the Crazy Horse Memorial in Rapid City, S.D., nearly 150 participating councils, districts and units held more than 200 local viewing events across the country. The local celebrations were as diverse and distinctive as their locales – each truly shining a light on the unique personality and culture of the council and its Scouts.
A total of five councils from across the country landed a spot in the show: Greater New York Councils (New York, NY); Black Hills Area Council (Rapid City, SD); Anthony Wayne Area Council (Fort Wayne, Ind.); North Florida Council (Jacksonville, Fla.); and Occoneechee Council (Raleigh, NC).
The show was broadcast nationwide via satellite, and thousands more were able to tune in online at www.ustream.tv//shininglight . BYU-TV, available in most basic cable and satellite television packages, also broadcast the event and streamed it live over its Web site, www.byutv.org .
Did you miss it? Never fear. Visit http://www.ustream.tv/shininglight the archived videos from the broadcast under the Videos section, or tune in to BYU-TV’s rebroadcast of the show at 9:30 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Aug. 3 and at 7 p.m. EDT on Saturday, Aug. 7.
“I want to extend my sincere gratitude to all who joined us for ‘A Shining Light Across America,’” said Bob Mazzuca, Chief Scout Executive, Boy Scouts of America. “It truly was an awe-inspiring event that allowed us to gather together to shine a light on our rich heritage, our core values, our role in shaping America’s youth, and the launch of our second century of service!”
Text of President Obama’s Speech
Hello Everybody,
I wanted to send my greetings to everyone taking part in the national Scout jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, to congratulate you on the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. I hope you’ve all enjoyed this year’s festivities. You know, for a century, Scouts just like you have served your communities and your nation in ways both large and small. During World War II, Scouts played a vital role in supporting the war effort at home by running messages and selling war bonds. Some our nation’s greatest heroes have worn the Scout uniform, including 11 of the 12 men who have walked on the moon. Today, Scouts across the country continue the tradition of collecting food for those in need, improving our neighborhoods, and reaching out to those less fortunate. That service is worth celebrating, but there is still more to do. Even though we face a different set of challenges today than we did a hundred years ago, they are no less important. Into the years ahead, we’re going to depend upon you, the next generation of leaders, to move America forward. So I hope that all of you will carry the lessons you’ve learned in Scouting with you for the rest of your lives. And I hope that when you are called upon to help write the next great chapter of the American story that you’ll uphold the best of the Scouting tradition and respond with enthusiasm, skill, and determination. Congratulations again on your first hundred years. I’m sure the next hundred will be even better.
