Face the Challenge: Participant registration now open for the 2021 National Jamboree

Update: The 2021 National Jamboree has been postponed. Read more about the postponement here, and get the latest updates here.

A celebration that happens just once every four years. World-class venues packed with incredible moments. A spirit of unity, patriotism and courage.

Turns out the National Jamboree and the Summer Olympics share a lot of similarities — with one exception: At a National Jamboree, everyone leaves a winner.

Participant registration is now open for the 2021 National Jamboree, to be held July 21–30, 2021, at the Summit Bechtel Reserve, the BSA’s gold-medal-caliber high-adventure base in West Virginia.

A National Jamboree will happen only once or twice during a young person’s time in Scouts BSA, Venturing or Sea Scouting. That’s why many people, myself included, call a National Jamboree a “flagship BSA experience.” (I’ve been lucky enough to attend, serve on staff or cover every National Jamboree since 1997. Each has been spectacular.)

Over the course of 10 days, Jamboree participants will experience unforgettable adventures they’ll remember all their lives. They can experience the Summit’s legendary adventure sports programs, earn merit badges, enjoy stadium shows and trade patches with Scouts from all 50 states and many foreign countries.

In doing all that, Jamboree participants join a tradition that has been a part of the BSA since the very first National Jamboree in 1937.

Participant requirements

Youth participants must:

• Have a current BSA membership.
• Be at least 12 by the first day of the Jamboree (July 21, 2021) but not yet 18 by the last day of the Jamboree (July 30, 2021). If your Scout will be too old to be a youth participant, they should consider applying for an adult leader role or Jamboree Service Team (staff) position.
• Be approved by the unit leader and local council.
• Have an appropriate parent/guardian to complete the online parental consent. (An email will be sent to the parent/guardian during the application process.)
• Participate in pre-Jamboree training experience with their local council and unit leader.
• Submit their BSA Annual Health & Medical Record using the online Jamboree submission process. (The AHMR must be dated on or after July 1, 2020.)
• Submit all registration fees per the local council’s payment schedule.

Adult participants must:

• Have a current BSA membership in a local council unit.
• Meet the age requirements:
  • Scoutmasters and First Assistant Scoutmasters: At least 21 by the first day of the Jamboree (July 21, 2021).
  • Second Assistant Scoutmasters: At least 18 by the first day of the Jamboree (July 21, 2021).
  • Third Assistant Scoutmasters: At least 18 by the first day of the Jamboree (July 21, 2021) but not yet 21 by the last day of the Jamboree (July 30, 2021).
• Be approved by the local council.
• Be currently serving as a primary unit leader (Scoutmaster applicants) or be currently serving in any unit leadership position (other applicants).
• Have completed appropriate leader-specific training (Scoutmaster applicants only).
• Be current with Youth Protection Training.
• Participate and assist in planning the pre-Jamboree training experience with local council.
• Submit their BSA Annual Health & Medical Record using the online Jamboree submission process. (The AHMR must be dated on or after July 1, 2020.)
• Submit all registration fees per the local council’s payment schedule.

See more requirements, including the Code of Conduct and physical fitness requirements, at the official site.

Registration and fees

The cost for participants will be $1,175. Learn more and register here.

What about Jamboree Service Team (staff) registration?

That is live as well. Learn more in this post.