Imagine being in the fastest-growing "city" in a week's time.
That's what Muriel Runholt of Marshall and her son, Mike, was part of when the two were on staff for the 2010 Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree in Fort A.P. Hill, Va. July 27-Aug. 3. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.
Muriel Runholt said there were 40,000 Scouts at the Jamboree, and on Visitor's Day, the number of people jumps to 70,000.
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Photo by Cindy Votruba
Mike and Muriel Runholt were staff members at the 2010 Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree that was in Fort A.P. Hill, Va.
"A jamboree is something a boy experiences once in his scouting adventure," Muriel Runholt said.
There are four regions for Boy Scouts in the U.S., Muriel Runholt said - Southern, Western, Eastern and Central. Thirteen states make up the Central region.
"Regions tend to camp together," Muriel Runholt said. She said there were 2,000 boys in their subcamp. Each subcamp contains 51 troops.
Muriel Runholt said each of the regions have action center and each center has different activities, such as archery, pioneering, climbing, and rappelling.
Muriel Runholt said Fort A.P Hill is the fastest-growing area during Jamboree week, when it goes from 10,000 staff members to include 40,000 scouts.
"When the Jamboree opens, it has its own zip code,' Muriel Runholt said. The U.S. Post Office also issued a 100th anniversary stamp in commemoration of scouting, which was unveiled at the Jamboree, she said. The U.S. Mint created a dollar coin
Fort A.P Hill also has its own radio station, the Runholts said, and a lake where the scouts were able to go fishing on a daily basis.
"They stock the lake with four kinds of fish," Muriel Runholt said.
Mike Runholt said Scouts can cook and clean the fish right at the fishing site. But they could also follow the catch and release method, Muriel Runholt said.
But with 40,000 scouts, the fish population was quickly depleted.
"By they last day, they were all fished out there," Muriel Runholt said.
The Jamboree also had a merit badge midway, and Scouts were able to earn their merit badges while there.
"Each merit badge had a booth," Mike Runholt said. Experts in the field assisted scouts with getting their merit badges, the Runholts said.
The Runholts said many different religions were represented at the Jamboree, from Mormons to Lutherans.
"There's a very large contingent of Islamic scouts," Muriel Runholt said.
Because of the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts in the United States, there were two arena shows during the week. Mike Runholt said Defense Secretary Robert Gates was one of the guest speakers.
"He came in for the president and gave words," Mike Runholt said.
"He gave a fabulous speech," Muriel Runholt said.
Muriel Runholt said there were various military, actors and skydivers in t
"It's the closing show, the showcase," Muriel Runholt said. "The flavor of the Jamboree."
Other guests at the Jamboree included by Mike Rowe of "Dirty Jobs," and a past winner of "The Amazing Race."
"Mike Rowe kind of talked about this first scout meeting," Mike Runholt said.
The Runholts said there will be a new location for the National Jamboree in 2013 -The Summit in West Virginia.