Scouts host area jamboree

Middle Tennessee's Boy Scouts gathered for a weekend of camping and activities at the Middle Tennessee Council Jamboree, held this weekend at the James E. Ward Agriculture Center.

The Council hosts the jamboree every two years as an opportunity for the various troops to meet one another and participate in group activities.

"We have age appropriate activities for both Cub scouts and Boy scouts," Walton Trail District Executive Gerald Brown said. Walton Trail encompasses Wilson, Smith, Macon and Trousdale counties.

Activities for the Cub Scouts, aged 6-10, included a rock climbing wall, obstacle course, dunking booth and soap box derby.

"We have lots of activities geared toward the Cub scouts," Brown added.
Boy Scouts, those ages 11-18, had opportunities to participate in archery, a shooting range, and other activities and crafts.

"The theme for this year is emergency preparedness," Brown said. Members of the fire department were on hand teaching the youngsters how to properly handle a firehose as well as members of the National Guard to showcase firearm safety.

"One of the neatest things is watching the kids on the firehose," Middle Tennessee Council Scouting Director Joe Long said.

More than 6,500 scouts and their families made their way to the fairgrounds for the weekend.

"We are tickled to death with the weather and the turnout," Long added.
Organizers estimated there could have been as many as 8,000 campers total for the event.

"We had 6,500 registered campers," Brown said.

"We also have a lot of daycampers who show up for the activities," board member Dr. John Lea said. " They're mostly Cub scouts."

The event would not have run smoothly without the help of volunteers.

Long noted that nearly 100 individuals were involved in the planning phase and more than 250 were on hand aiding in the execution of activities throughout the day Saturday.

The jamboree wound down Saturday night with a show and fireworks display and concluded with a church service Sunday morning.
Long was pleased with the facility and said the council has plans to return to the Ag. Center for the next jamboree.

"It's a great facility and great location," he said.

Staff Writer Kimberly Jordan can be reached at 444-3952 ext. 16 or by email at kimberly.jordan@lebanondemocrat.com.