National Scout jamboree (Scouting America)

The National Scout Jamboree is a gathering, or jamboree, of thousands of members of Scouting America, usually held every four years and organized by the National Council of Scouting America. Referred to as "the Jamboree", "Jambo", or NSJ, Scouts from all over the nation and world have the opportunity to attend. There is also an event called World Scout Jamboree which is the same concept but instead of national it is international" They are considered to be one of several unique experiences that Scouting America offers. The first National Jamboree was scheduled to be held in 1935 in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Scouting, but was delayed two years after being cancelled due to a polio outbreak. The 1937 Jamboree in Washington attracted 25,000 Scouts, who camped around the Washington Monument and Tidal Basin. The event was covered extensively by national media and attended by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Following the disruption from 1938-1945 of World War II, the next National Jamboree was not held until 1950 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Subsequent National Jamborees have been held around the country as a means to promoting Scouting nationally. From 1981 to 2010, the National Jamboree was located in Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. Since 2013, National Jamborees are permanently held at Summit Bechtel Reserve in Mount Hope, West Virginia. A National Jamboree is held for approximately a week and a half and offers many activities for youth participants and the 300,000 members of the general public who visit it. Staff members generally arrive several days in advance, and depart several days after participants leave, depending on their assignments. Subcamp staff stay in the subcamps with the troops, while most other staff stay in a staff camp.