The End of an Era?

I have reported previously that the 2010 National Jamboree will probably be the last at Fort AP Hill. The Boy Scouts of America is seeking a permanent, BSA owned spot to hold future Jamborees. I know that is old news. What is new is a release from the Army stating that because this will be the last Jamboree at Fort AP Hill, no new improvements or additions will be made at AP Hill.

The end result in the decision is that no additional sub-camps will be set up and the limits on numbers will be about what they were in 2005. Everyone knows that this may be the most popular Jamboree ever, but there may not be space for everyone who wants to go. Those people who are thinking there may be an additional troop in the 2010 Contingent may be disappointed. But maybe not!

There is another little factor that many people must consider - cost. Councils all over the country are still wrestling with the cost of the Jambo. What is gas going to cost during the summer of 2010? For far councils, the cost of air fare has got to be creating more than a few gray hairs. The cost may prevent many from attending in 2010. That cost alone may allow some closer councils to add a troop at the last minute. I would not count on it, but it is possible.

Long range, lets say 2014 and beyond, will the Jamboree as we know it survive? It is difficult to say. Remember it is not just travel costs. How about food costs? They have spiked along with fuel costs. How much is too much for a Jamboree?

We have the same costs under consideration for the other High Adventure camps, also. Will the Boy Scouts of America become more regionalized for High Adventure? Will the Boy Scouts High Adventure program become too expensive for most boys. Any ideas?

The end of the era may not be the Fort AP Hill location, it may be the Jamboree experience itself. What do you think?