July 22-31, 2026 Summit Bechtel Reserve, West Virginia
(Travel dates expected to be July 20-August 2, 2025)
Scouting’s flagship event is one-of-a-kind. Over 10 summer days, once every four years, Scouting America gathers approximately 40,000 Scouts, leaders, and staff, showcasing everything great about Scouting America and its members. The result is the national Scout jamboree. To keep up with the latest information, visit the Summit website.
Scouts and Scouters will explore all kinds of adventures—stadium shows, pioneer villages, Garden Ground hikes, adventure sports, patch trading, and more—in the heart of one of nature’s greatest playgrounds. With 10,000 acres at the Summit to explore, there’s no shortage of opportunities to build Scouting memories.
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Face the Challenge
The truth is that young people can achieve more than they believe is possible. Scouting uniquely prepares its members to redefine their boundaries, push past them and emerge from the experience with the confidence that no matter the challenge, they can meet it.
Nothing is impossible for the prepared young person — no future is out of reach for a group of committed people who care. It’s important to signal that the limits people perceive are self-imposed and that with an embrace and application of the 12 points of the Scout Law and three points of the Scout Oath, there is a bright and positive future. Participants in the 2026 National Jamboree will learn that character is created when you achieve more than you thought possible.
Participation in the National Jamboree is a physically demanding experience. The layout, grade, and elevation of the site require substantial walking as part of everyone’s daily schedule. Several activities require more stamina and fitness such as climbing, rappelling, rafting, mountain biking, and skateboarding. All participants and staff must be prepared for the physical demands of the Summit before arrival. Facing the Challenge at the 2026 Jamboree will require being reliable, mature, dependable, and physically fit!
Council Contingent
The Sam Houston Area Council will take approximately 200 Scouts to the national jamboree as part of the council contingent. The contingent will head to the Summit for 10 days of activities ranging from shooting sports, mountain biking, zip-lining, rock climbing, white water rafting, and more! Scouts will be assigned to a jamboree troop of 36 Scouts and four adult leaders. Every Scout will be a member of a patrol within the troop. Contingent members will be required to attend some troop meetings (as scheduled by the jamboree troop Scoutmaster), submit a completed jamboree medical form signed by a licensed physician and indicating compliance with specified immunizations and attend a contingent meeting (date TBD).
Registration
The 2026 registration fee is expected to be around $3,100, including transportation, admission fees, meals, lodging, insurance, and most patrol and troop equipment. As the contingent plans are finalized, the price will be updated.
Additional expenses include uniforms, personal gear, spending money, and memorabilia items. The Member ID number is needed to register. Find the Member ID in my.scouting.org (under Menu, then My Profile) or Scoutbook (under My Profile, then Edit Profile).
Registration is a 3-step process:
| • Step 1: |
Scout asks their unit leader to submit a Unit Leader Recommendation. |
| • Step 2: |
After the council receives the unit leader's recommendation, a SHAC registration link will be sent to the parent. |
| • Step 3: |
A link will be sent to the parents to submit the Annual Health and Medical Records. |
Participants must:
- Approved by their unit leader using the approval form.
- At least 12-year-old by the first day and under 21 by the final day of the jamboree. If registered with a troop, participants must be at least First Class.
- An experienced camper who has attended at least one long-term camp (e.g., winter camp, summer camp).
- Mature and able to support themselves (making good decisions).
- Possess solid camping and cooking skills.
- Capable of doing their laundry using the bucket method.
- Demonstrate maturity and responsibility. Maturity is important given the nature of camping with a new troop, the busy schedule, the weather, and the many activities.
- Able to effectively utilize the patrol method and work cooperatively with patrol members.
- Reliable (e.g., set alarm, complete assigned patrol duties such as cooking, cleaning up, and participating in activities).
- Able to partner with a buddy, select and participate in activities with their buddy for the day, and return to camp on time.
- Able to keep track of personal gear and maintain a clean tent.
- Able to handle the physical demands of the Summit, which has a mean elevation of 2,500 feet and frequent elevation changes. Be able to walk 5-10+ miles per day to activities.
- Able to eat the food provided. While dietary needs such as kosher, halal, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan are accommodated, the jamboree issues the cooking ingredients for meals. Scouts with dietary restrictions must be able to take ownership of their food, identify and avoid any food containing allergens, and/or ask a leader for help if they have questions.
- Able to stay hydrated. Hydration is especially critical if taking any medications.
- Able to follow the Jamboree Code of Conduct and Statement of Understanding.
- Able to meet the minimum health and BMI requirements for high adventure activities (source: pages 5-6).
- Scouts should NOT STOP taking any maintenance medication unless instructed to do so by their doctor.
- Participants sent home will do so at their parents' expense.
Tentative Payment Schedule
|
| Deposit |
$300 |
| 7/1/2025 |
$300 |
| 8/1/2025 |
$300 |
| 9/1/2025 |
$300 |
| 10/1/2025 |
$300 |
| 11/1/2025 |
$300 |
| 12/1/2025 |
$300 |
| 1/1/2026 |
$300 |
| 2/1/2026 |
$300 |
| 3/1/2026 |
Balance Due |
Jamboree Staff
Registration to serve on jamboree event staff is open. Serving on event staff is a rewarding experience that lets you help make a young man or young woman’s jamboree experience one they’ll never forget. It’s not all work, though. You’ll get plenty of time to enjoy the jamboree fun. Visit the jamboree website for more information . Volunteer event staff may select to work the entire jamboree or the first or last half of the jamboree. The registration fee does not include transportation; staff ages 16-25 can pay a discounted price to work the entire jamboree.
Register to Serve on Event Staff Order of the Arrow member registration (opens soon)
The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve
In 2009, Scouting America purchased 10,600 acres of property adjacent to West Virginia’s New River Gorge National River area to create the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve. The Summit is the new home of achievement, adventure, and innovation in Scouting.
Visitors
The excitement of the jamboree isn’t limited to Scouts. The Summit features a large visitor area, where day users can try out some of the activities the Scouts are dialing in around other parts of the Summit. Whitewater rafting and kayaking, rock climbing and bouldering, and mountain biking are just a few of the activities offered at the Summit. There is also skateboarding, BMX, shooting sports, and zip-line challenge courses. And that’s just the beginning.
Contacts