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Carrot-Top is now Freedom and Glory — different name, same people, same commitment to you.
The Scouting America® National Jamboree returns in 2026. Every four years, Scouts from across the country gather in West Virginia for 10 days of hiking, adventure sports, and the kind of experiences that are hard to find anywhere else.
The Jamboree® takes months, sometimes years, of planning. If you're attending, you've already done the hard part. This guide covers what to expect when you get there and how to make sure your troop is ready. You can also order your custom 2026 official Jamboree® flag from Freedom and Glory.
What to Expect From the 2026 National Scout Jamboree®
If this is your first time attending the National Scout Jamboree®, expect the event to be huge. Approximately 40,000 scouts, adult leaders, and staff from all over the country gather at the Summit Bechtel Reserve®. The Summit Bechtel Reserve®, officially known as the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve®, is a 10,000-acre summer camp located deep in the Appalachian Mountains.
Scouters can reach the summit via I-77 or I-64 right outside of Beckley, West Virginia. For Jamboree® participants who plan to fly in, the closest major airport is in Charleston, West Virginia, about an hour and 15 minutes from camp. Once there, campers can enjoy “360-degrees of fun, friends and fellowship with hands-on adventure that takes you places you never thought you’d go and challenge you to try things you never thought you could” according to the National Jamboree® website.
What Are the National Scout Jamboree® Activities?
Well, for starters, there are plenty to choose from, including whitewater rafting, archery, rock climbing, fishing, zip lining, skateboarding, swimming, and more. There is also a large network of trails tailored for hiking, mountain biking, and ATV riding. The full list of facilities and activities includes:
Adventure Valley: home to a rock-climbing wall, cross-country mountain biking, ropes courses, zip lines, and kayaking on Tri-Dave Lake.
The Canopy: adventurers can zoom through a large network of zip lines for some views of nature
Thrasher Mountain: here, Scouts may take advantage of The Park, the summit’s first-rate skateboard park, or work through a BMX course.
The Boys and Barrels: This is where adults and youth participants can partake in a vast range of shooting sports, including shooting and archery.
Goodrich Lake: Scouts who prefer spending time in the water may fish, kayak, enjoy stand-up paddleboarding, or work through the expanded water reality course.
The Scout Summit Center: Considered the hub of Jamboree® activity, Scouts will have several opportunities to learn through hands-on activities, collect Merit Badges®, and explore new careers. This will be the only area open to visitors and feature a small sample of the high-adventure activities available for the rest of the participants.
Stadium Shows: Beyond the activities listed, scouts and adult participants begin and end the event with stadium shows. The shows usually feature high-profile politicians and musicians. Past performers have included The Beach Boys and Switchfoot. These shows foster camaraderie and build excitement for the event.
It is important to note that most of these activities are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Whitewater rafting is the only activity not included in the National Jamboree® fee. Troops that wish to whitewater raft pay an additional fee due to the added expense of the activity.
Important Jamboree® Traditions
The huge selection of activities isn’t the only thing that makes the Jamboree® a week of non-stop exhilaration. Attendees can also participate in unique traditions during their downtime.
For example, adult leaders can show their friendship for one another through a tradition called patch trading. Troops that attend the Jamboree® receive a specially made patch, which can then be traded with other troops from around the country. Patch trading is the chance to collect unique emblems from pop culture. Past popular patches include Ron Jon Surf Shop, Marvel superheroes, Star Wars characters, and Super Mario.
Another essential tradition you do not want to miss is decorating your gateway. This is a chance to proudly display your troop’s council name and state by hoisting your custom flag. Those who want a flag to decorate their gateway can order a 2026 official Jamboree® flag from Freedom and Glory.
What Training is Required for Unit Leaders?
Attending the National Scout Jamboree® requires much planning and preparation to ensure each Scout's safety. Therefore, all adult leaders, including Jamboree® Scoutmasters®, unit care providers, and adult chaperones, must complete Youth Protection Training on or after July 22, 2025.
For the 2026 event, leaders and NYLT staff must complete the new “Understanding and Preventing Youth on Youth Abuse” course. Once their training is complete, adult leaders are required to help facilitate a pre-Jamboree® training experience with their local council.
Additional Requirements for Adult Leaders
Submit your Annual Health and Medical Record at jamboreg.scouting.org account before April 21, 2026.
Submit your registration fees per your local council’s payment schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often is the National Scout Jamboree®?
The National Scout Jamboree® traditionally occurs every four years, but recently, the Jamboree® has not followed its usual four-year cycle because of scheduling issues caused by the pandemic. The last Jamboree® was three years ago, in 2023, and the one prior happened in 2017.
What is the Purpose of the National Scouts Jamboree®?
The purpose of the National Scout Jamboree® is to gather troops from across the country for 10 days' worth of Scouting-related activities. The goal is to deepen understanding and commitment to the ideals of Scouting alongside outdoor activities. It also allows youth participants to connect with others from around the nation and make new friends.
Who is Allowed to Attend the National Scout Jamboree®?
Scouts who have reached their 12 years of age before the first day of the Jamboree® can attend as youth participants. Youth participants must be under 18.
While most attend as part of a troop, there are other ways to experience the Jamboree®. Adults who are currently members of Scouting America can apply to join the Jamboree® Service Team and help run the event. The event is also open to visitors on select days, allowing friends and family to tour the Summit Center, watch stadium shows, and join their Scout in different activities.
How Are Jamboree Groups Organized?
Regular Scout troops cannot register to attend the event directly. They must apply through their local council, which creates a Jamboree® committee in charge of coordinating the event logistics.
This committee then organizes the Jamboree® troops into 40-person groups. Each group must have 36 Scouts BSA™, Venturers, Sea Scouts®, or Explorers and a minimum of four adult leaders. Scouting America refers to two or more groups from the same council as a Jamboree® contingent.
If your council contingent is unable to form a group of 40, they can form partial Jamboree® units of 10, with eight Scouts and two adults. These smaller groups will combine with groups from nearby councils. Units can include more than four adults, allowing parents to participate in the Jamboree® alongside their children.
What is the History of the National Scout Jamboree®?
Scouting America® (then Boy Scouts of America®) scheduled the first Jamboree® for 1935 in Washington, D.C., to celebrate 25 years of scouting. Although the event was postponed until 1937 due to a polio outbreak, Scouting America® has continued the tradition every four years. Historical locations for the Jamboree® include Valley Forge National Park in Pennsylvania and Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia. The Jamboree® officially moved to the Summit Bechtel Reserve® in 2013.
Order Your Custom 2026 Jamboree® Flag From Freedom and Glory
Our officially licensed 2026 Jamboree® flag features white lettering on a red and blue background with the official Jamboree® logo at the center. Custom flags take 2-3 weeks to create and send to your troop. Order by June 10 to receive your flag by July 1. Browse the 2026 Jamboree® flag or reach out to a Flag Pro to get started.
