Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree is under way

Mount Hope, W.Va.

Camp Stambaugh in Canfield was the setting for a group of 39 Boy Scout members who left July 19 for the 2017 National Boy Scout Jamboree taking place at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reservation near Mt. Hope, W.Va. The Scouts will return Friday.

The jamboree is a 10-day event that helps prepare the youths who attend to face and overcome challenges while providing them with the opportunity to camp out, make new friends, try high-adventure activities, learn new skills, work on merit badges and enjoy the outdoors.

The first Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree was scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., in 1935 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Scouting but was cancelled due to a polio outbreak in Washington. The event then took place in 1937 with Scouts from all of the then-48 states in attendance, which amounted to 27,232 Scouts camped on the National Mall under the Washington Monument. Since 1937, there have been 17 national jamborees, the last in 2013.

Greater Western Reserve Council Jamboree Troop is composed of 35 Boy Scouts from the five-plus county area with four adult leaders: Jeff Trumbull, Painesville Troop 64 is serving as the Jamboree Troop 2425 Scoutmaster; Ray Deluga, McDonald Troop 4083 is serving as first assistant Scoutmaster; Jeff Faulk, Warren Troop 4101 is second assistant Scoutmaster; and Hunter Hykes, Canfield Troop 25 is serving as third assistant Scoutmaster.