The Hawkeye Area Council has an awesome adventure planned for the 2026 National Jamboree! We are still finalizing details, but we will be traveling in a joint contingent with scouts and leaders from Illowa Council. In addition to the 10 fun-filled days at the Summit Bechtel reserve for Jamboree itself, we are looking at some educational and FUN activities on the way out. Keep checking back here for updates, with overall travel planned for July 19 – Aug 2, 2026. All-in-all, it will be a two-week experience that promises to be one of the highlights of your scouting career!
For more information on the joint contingent trip, and to register as a youth participant, please check out the Illowa Council National Jamboree page.
We are taking applications for anyone interested in Scoutmaster or Asst. Scoutmasters positions for our Contingent Troops. Please fill out the 2026 Jamboree Adult Leader Application if you are interested.
Requirements to participate. Please check the BSA National Jamboree website for more details and Frequently Asked Questions, but the high level info is below.
Youth: MUST be at least 12 years of age by the first day of the Jamboree but have not reached their 18th birthday by the last day of the Jamboree.
Adult Leader: All leaders regardless of assigned position MUST be at least 21 years of age by the first day of the Jamboree.
All adult leaders MUST be current with Youth Protection Training.
All adults must register online through the Jamboree registration system as a “Leader”. The council will designate specific leadership or chaperone positions at the time the Jamboree units are assigned.
Staff: Please see below for information on joining the Jamboree Service Team if you are interested in that.
The first Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree was scheduled to be held in Washington, D.C. in 1935 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Scouting in America. Unfortunately, the Jamboree was canceled because of a polio outbreak in Washington, D.C. When the first Jamboree was finally held in 1937, Dan Beard lit the opening campfire using flint and steel. Scouts from all 48 states brought the wood that was used in the campfire. There were some 27,232 Scouts camped on the National Mall under the Washington Monument. Since that time over 20 National Jamborees have been held, most recently in 2023.
In 2009, the BSA purchased 10,600 acres of property adjacent to West Virginia’s New River Gorge National River area in order to create The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve. The Summit is the new home of achievement, adventure, and innovation in Scouting. With world-class facilities and a focus on outdoor action sports, The Summit welcomed its first National Jamboree in the summer of 2013. Since then, the Summit has hosted World Jamborees and several National Jamborees.
Staff Opportunities – If you would like to go out on staff this page has information regarding that opportunity, as well as a list of the Staff positions for the 2026 National Jamboree. You can review this page to find positions you may be interested in, and other information about serving on staff. When you apply on the Jambo website, you will request positions in the order in which you would prefer.
For more information, please contact the Hawkeye Area Council 2026 Jamboree Committee Chair:
Chris Godwin – 319-530-4335 or yorktreefarm@aol.com.
Hawkeye Area Council, Scouting America
660 32nd Avenue SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Toll Free: 877.HAWKBSA
Office: (319) 862-0541
Scout Shop: (319) 261-3750
Fax: (319) 862-0544
