By Ricky Angeletti
[The 2013 Jamboree is being held at the Summit Bechtel Scout Reserve.] More than three years of planning comes to a head this month with the kickoff of the 2013 National Scout Jamboree. The Order of the Arrow is playing a larger role than ever before. In order to carry out this work, the Order recruited more than 800 staff members.
National Chief Matt Brown and National Vice Chief Jordan Hughes will be leading the Order of the Arrow's efforts at the Jamboree. Preparations leading up to the event, though, were spearheaded by 2012 National Vice Chief Preston Marquis, who organized the Order's effort at the shakedown last summer.
At the shakedown Preston built a staff of about twenty five Arrowman to serve as trek guides at the Jamboree. When asked, Preston said, "It was a great opportunity to lay the foundation for the brand new program." This year at the Jamboree Preston is serving in a supporting role as the youth lead for the OA Operations group. The Operations team works behind the scenes to coordinate logistics and administrative services for the Order of the Arrow staff.
In addition to the Operations team, the Order of the Arrow is staffing the OA Service Corps and the Indian Village, serving as Trek Guides up to Garden Ground Mountain and leading Jamboree participants on Day of Service trips.
The latter two programs are new to the Jamboree this year. Garden Ground Mountain is the "summit of The Summit" and has been turned into a playground for youth Jamboree participants this year. Each Jamboree troop will have the opportunity to spend a day on the mountain, led by their OA guide, taking part in a wide variety of activities.
The OA Day of Service trips are being staffed, coordinated and led by Arrowmen. This new and innovative program takes Jamboree participants off-site to perform service to the surrounding community in West Virginia.
None of the OA's programs at this year's Jamboree would be made possible without leadership from youth like Preston and Matt. "This is such a historic moment in Scouting," Preston said. "Playing any role in it, especially this one, is a truly humbling experience."
Revised 4/19/2014