BLM at the World Scout Jamboree 2019
The Bureau of Land Management was proud to engage with about 40,000 Scouts and visitors from more than 169 countries participating in the 24th World Scout Jamboree at Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. Full of energy from July 22nd until August 2nd, the Scouts and volunteers maintained a smile whether they were in the sunshine or the rain. The cultural exchange, diversity and acceptance of others among the scout troops was awe-inspiring.
The summit reached almost 10,600 acres that consisted of trails, mountain biking, skateboarding, climbing, fishing, kayaking, scuba diving, paddle boarding, and many other outdoor activities. Getting to the multiple recreational areas and activities required a challenging hike, yet along the way the groups of people trading badges, pins and even backpacks made distance seem irrelevant. Along the trail, multiple tents contained many interactive activities for kids to learn about other cultures.
This year’s slogan empowered Scouts to “Unlock a New World” - and that they did. The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) exhibition tent was located in the North American Dream area that included Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The BLM shared the space and worked alongside the Bureau of Reclamation, U.S Fish and Wildlife, National Park Service and the Office of Surface Mining. Scouts and visitors from all around the world would enter and receive general information about the different Bureaus’ programs on public lands in the United States. Scouts worked together through different activities in the tent and got awarded with a DOI Scout badge for their efforts.
The BLM had three main interactive activities for the Scouts: Paleontology, Prehistoric and Historic Archaeology, and Land Surveying. Each day, more than 10,000 Scouts experienced the multiple activities, questions & answers and presentations. For most of the Scouts, it was the first time ever seeing prehistoric fossils. When engaging in conversation about archaeology and map surveying, Scouts would light up with joy and enthusiasm and mention their future aspirations to be a geologist, archaeologist or law examiners.
Being able to share the exhibition information in multiple languages expanded the outreach and education opportunities. It also allowed the experience of being at the Jamboree to become a cultural exchange. When Scouts and visitors headed outside of the tent, they would begin to plan how to get their next badge. Word got around quickly and before you knew it, Scouts were recognizing the employees. They would begin the conversations and activities in the tent, allowing us to continue our mission in the Jamboree and preserve our hope to encourage more Scout in the years to come. Find more information about the next World Scout Jamboree at https://www.2019wsj.org/. More photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmFBtnU6.