Scouting's 100th: Milestone celebrated locally and nationally

FORT A.P. HILL, Va. — Scouting threw itself a centennial birthday party Saturday with an invitation list of some 50,000 Boy Scouts, leaders and supporters.

The traditional arena show at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree was a patriotic celebration Scouting founder Robert Baden-Powell would likely have commended. Dubbed "A Shining Light Across America," the massive outdoor show was performed before a crowd of Scouts — including more than 1,000 Utahns — who have come here to be a part of the storied organization's 100th birthday.

Thousands also tuned into the broadcast via the Internet and at closed-circuit broadcast viewing parties, including Scouts gathered Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium.

For Jamboreers, the show's singing, dancing, tomfoolery, magic and fun highlighted another hot, busy day at the 10-day, quadrennial event.

"I'm having an awesome time," said 14-year-old Isaac Lopez of Colorado Springs before the show began. "There are so many activities here that you just can't get at home."

You might think that after seven days of navigating obstacle courses, trap shooting, scuba diving, rock climbing, earning merit badges and, yes, sweating much of the time under Virginia's summer sun, the boys might utilize the arena show to enjoy an hour or two of low-key relaxation. Not so. The Scouts, and more than a few of their leaders, maintained a steady roar for more than two hours.

Producers revised the script more than 70 times to prepare for Saturday's show. Highlights included appearances by Mike Rowe — the from TV's "Dirty Jobs" and an Eagle Scout — and alternative rock band Switchfoot.

Minutes before the main show began, President Barack Obama delivered a recorded message, congratulating Scouting on reaching its 100th anniversary. "Some of our nation's greatest heroes wore the Scout uniform," he said.

Then the president issued a challenge: "In the years ahead, we're going to depend on you."

Near the end of the program, Chief Scout Executive Robert Mazzuca led all attending in the Scout Oath. The evening concluded with what is believed to be the largest fireworks show ever staged by a military base anywhere in the world.

The National Jamboree proved to be a popular destination for tourists and Scout supporters. Lines of motor traffic flowed into Fort A.P. Hill on Saturday, and military officials were forced to close the gates of the base for a few hours after the area reached capacity.

The National Jamboree will continue through Wednesday. Religious services will highlight today's activities for many Scouts.

e-mail: jswensen@desnews.com