5 Quick Questions with: Glenn Ault, chair of the 2026 National Jamboree

The 2026 National Jamboree is less than one year away. Since the very first Jamboree in 1937, the gathering of thousands of Scouts and adult volunteers from across the country has been a life-changing event for everyone who has attended.

As you can imagine, one of the biggest gatherings in Scouting requires one of the biggest planning efforts in Scouting. Thankfully, the 2026 Jamboree is in good hands under chairman Glenn Ault.

Ault, named chairman of the event a year ago, was kind enough to take a brief break from his work to answer 5 Quick Questions on how things are looking and what his biggest priorities are moving forward.

First of all, a big thank-you to you for volunteering to be the 2026 National Jamboree Chair. Is this job like every other Scouting volunteer position — one hour per week?

Ha ha, yes! As most Scouting volunteers know, it is definitely a more-than-one-hour-a-week job as a volunteer. But like other volunteers, the time spent in planning and designing a Jamboree becomes a passion to be able to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime experience to those Scouts who attend the NSJ. It is the opportunity to change a young person’s life that makes this all worthwhile.

I know one of your first duties was finding the rest of your leadership team. How did that go, and how do you feel about the team that’s been assembled?

I have been fortunate to have a great team of dedicated individuals who form the Jamboree Executive Committee. They have been working for roughly two years now to design, imagine and innovate as they plan to execute the 2026 NSJ. And while we have this great group working at this level, our true need at this time is for Scouters from around the country to join us on staff to help us deliver that amazing experience to the youth who attend. If you have a special skill set (climbing certified, a doctor or nurse, EMT, security background, etc.), we can definitely use you! Come join an amazing team of committed volunteers, and experience Scouting America’s pinnacle event.

We’re about a year away from the 2026 Jamboree. What’s your top priority now?

My main focus is on finalizing council contingent participation and growing our staff numbers to provide an outstanding experience for not only those who are participating but also for our visitors and for our staff as well. I am confident that our planning to this point has gone extremely well. It’s now all about getting our membership to sign up to experience this amazing event.

Let’s say you strike up a conversation in an elevator with someone who has never heard of the National Jamboree. You’ve got 30 seconds to educate them. What do you say?

The National Scout Jamboree is Scouting America’s signature event with 15,000 Scouts and Scouters from across the country. We will have some international participation as well. You will have the opportunity to participate in amazing programs and experience unique Jamboree offerings that you may not have the opportunity to do at your local camp. It is a 10-day experience jam-packed with opportunities to have fun, to push yourself to experience something new, to grow and to make connections with other Scouts from around the country, all while creating memories of a lifetime. You must take the opportunity to experience this!

What’s the single thing you’re most looking forward to for the 2026 National Jamboree?

As chairman, there are so many things to be excited about. Whether it’s the Jamboree shows, the Americana Extravaganza, the Elevation Celebrations, the Summit Center, the Elevating Your Wellness programs, the Adventure areas … there is so much to look forward to. But at the heart of all of this is getting to spend time with thousands of friends in Scouting and making new ones, all while delivering a life-changing experience for the youth who attend.

Click here to learn more about the 2026 National Jamboree.