August 02, 2019

Manchin Applauds World Scout Jamboree, Sends Off Scouts At Yeager Airport, Celebrates The 24th World Scout Jamboree

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) applauded the success of the 24th World Scout Jamboree hosted by Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in Glen Jean, West Virginia. Leaders from across the world visited the Summit to impart lessons learned and to learn from the Scouts.

“For the past two weeks, the eyes of the world were on West Virginia. Our state was the perfect place for the World Scout Jamboree. In keeping with the theme of this year’s Jamboree, West Virginia truly was able to “unlock a new world” for over 60,000 Scouts, volunteers, Scout leaders and support staff who came to our great state,” said Senator Manchin. “One of the proudest moments at the Jamboree was when everyone who attended, joined together in singing “Country Roads” and celebrated the wild, wonderful and beautiful state of West Virginia. Not only that, but I was able to send off scouts who were flying home at Yeager Airport today as the Jamboree came to a close. From meeting scouts from the Czech Republic, who were from the same area as my grandparents, and seeing lifelong friendships being formed, the World Scout Jamboree was truly a life changing experience, and I hope our beautiful state made as much of an impact on the people who attended as all of the Scouts made on each other.”

The World Scout Jamboree was held in the United States for the first time since the international event was held in Idaho in 1967. The Summit Bechtel Reserve in Fayette County is home to the National Scout Jamboree and will host Scouts from across our country every two years. This year, more than 45,000 Scouts from over 160 countries and a total of over 60,000 volunteers, National Guardsmen and military support and scout leaders assembled in beautiful Fayette County for the last two weeks.

The theme for the Jamboree was "Unlock a New World." Unlocking new opportunities from zip-lining, kayaking, hiking to learning new languages or gaining a new badge, Scouts were able to experience all West Virginia has to offer.

Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon gave remarks at the closing ceremony, telling Scouts, “The secret of peace and harmony that you have unlocked here is not meant for you to retain simply as a memory. Rather, it’s a mission beckoning you to do your part in unlocking the possibility for peace for our entire world moving forward." 

Scouts had the opportunity to skype with the International Space Station, 50 years after Eagle Scout Neil Armstrong sent a message to Scouts from space. The Jamboree provided chances for all Scouts and volunteers to be exposed to new experiences, knowledge, culture and ideas. The Summit Bechtel Reserve was the perfect location to bring tens of thousands of individuals together to form a bond and a connection which they will never forget.