Expressing support for the 2013 Boy Scouts of America National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia.

Whereas the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America is commended for their hard work and efforts on the National Scout Jamboree, one of the unique and exciting experiences of scouting; Whereas the Boy Scouts of America is composed of 2.6 million youth members between the ages of 7 and 21 and more than 1 million volunteers in local councils throughout the United States and its territories; Whereas the Boy Scouts of America have built character, encouraged physical, spiritual, and mental growth, and taught leadership skills to generations of young men; Whereas the National Scout Jamboree is a gathering of over 45,000 scouts, leaders, and staff every 4 years to showcase everything that is great about the Boy Scouts of America and its members; Whereas over 25,000 scouts from all 48 States camped around the Washington Monument and The National Mall in Washington, DC, in 1937 for the first National Scout Jamboree; Whereas, since the first Jamboree in 1937, hundreds of thousands of scouts have gathered at the National Scout Jamboree to live out the scout oath, To help other people at all times. Whereas the 2013 Jamboree located at the world-class Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve (commonly referred to as the Summit Whereas the Summit location will be the permanent home of the National Scout Jamboree located on 10,600 acres in West Virginia’s world-renowned adventure sports region known as the New River Gorge; Whereas the Summit in West Virginia has received such global recognition that the World Scout Conference announced that the Summit will host the 24th World Scout Jamboree in 2019; Whereas the 2019 World Scout Jamboree will be conducted in the United States for the first time in 52 years; Whereas the Summit is the new home of achievement, adventure, and innovation in scouting; Whereas the theme of the 2013 Jamboree is Go Big. Get Wild. Whereas 2013 will be the first year that venturers, a branch of the Boy Scouts of America that includes young women, will be part of the Jamboree; Whereas during the Jamboree, over 30,000 youth will complete more than 300,000 hours of community service at 350 projects at sites in West Virginia; Whereas the community service provided includes clearing brush, performing repairs, cleaning litter, painting, planting, constructing walkways and shelters, and pouring concrete; Whereas each year the scouts volunteer over 10 million hours of service in their local communities; Whereas the National Jamboree is a chance to camp out with friends, meet new friends, try high-adventure activities, learn new skills, enjoy the outdoors, and have fun in an atmosphere of scouting fellowship; and Whereas Congress is committed to the time-honored celebration of the National Scout Jamboree and the goals and values of the Boy Scouts of America: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) honors each scout, venturer, volunteer, and staff member from across the United States celebrating the 2013 National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia; and (2) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the State of West Virginia as an expression of the gratitude of the Congress of the United States— (A) to scouting; and (B) for choosing West Virginia as the site of the permanent home for the National Scout Jamboree.

Summary: Honors each scout, venturer, volunteer, and staff member from across the United States celebrating the 2013 National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia.