Five members of Indian Mills Boy Scout Troop 47 attended the 2013 National Scout Jamboree from July 15 to July 24. Lou Bergdoll, Jack Dougherty, Jack Levy, Aaron Uscinowicz and Jacob Uscinowicz participated as part of the Garden State Council to attend the jamboree held at the Summit, Bechtel Reserve in Mount Hope, W. Va.
This was the first year the National Scout Jamboree was held at its new permanent home at the Summit, and it will be held every four years.
Attendance was projected at 50,000. Scouts, volunteers and staff from all over the country were present. The gathering was an opportunity for the Scouts to camp, meet new friends, participate in high-adventure activities and enjoy the outdoors at the Summit.
The Boy Scouts fundraised to attend the 2013 National Scout Jamboree through local road cleanups, selling popcorn, working at Pine Belt Sportsman’s Club and running a tent at the Atsion Day Flea Market.
The Summit is better known as an “adventure center” for its climbing, mountain biking, scuba, zip lines, white water rafting, archery and stadium shows.
Dougherty, 15, will never forget this experience; he helped build a NASCAR, and had the opportunity to meet NASCAR driver Scott “Scotty” Lagasse, Jr. at the Summit.
“I am very happy I got to go to the first Jamboree,” Dougherty said.
While at the Jamboree, two boys earned badges for kayaking, and three earned badges for engineering.
The boys also won a messenger of peace award for working together at a nearby school. They helped clean up a playground at the school and install new mulch.
Levy, 16, an Eagle Scout with Indian Mills Troop 47, had the opportunity to work as an assistant base camp director for one day while at the National Scout Jamboree.
Looking back over his experience, his most memorable project was his Eagle Scout project, “Gaga Pit,” an Israeli version of dodge ball.
Boy Scouts of America’s mission is to offer an educational program for boys to develop their character and leadership skills, and participate in citizenship activities as well as progress in a personal fitness regimen.
Bergdoll, 13, says he definitely wants to go back to the National Scout Jamboree in four years. Bergdoll said being a part of the Boy Scouts has always meant doing a good thing.
The Garden State Council is a local council led by the Boy Scouts of America in Southern New Jersey.
The Council is chartered by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and provides support for the scouts.
Jacob Uscinowicz, 15, has already started working toward becoming an Eagle Scout. Meeting people from all over was the highlight of his trip out to the National Scout Jamboree.
“I enjoy making new friends and helping the community,” he said.
“I would like to go back in four years. The best part of my experience was the scenery of the area,” said Aaron Uscinowicz, 13, currently working on becoming an Eagle Scout.
“I enjoy serving my community.”
