World Scouting Museum 2026
National Jamboree Essay Contest
The World Scouting Museum will be holding an Essay Contest open to members of the Scouting America Buckskin Council located in Charleston, West Virginia. The Winner(s) of the contest will be given a scholarship to be used only to attend the 2026 World Scout Jamboree at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in Beckley, West Virginia, July 22-31, 2026.
Winner(s) will be expected to trade and obtain patches for the World Scouting Museum that are produced for the 2026 National Jamboree. Their goal will be to get as many of the patches produced for the 2026 Jamboree for the corresponding Museum Exhibit.
Winner(s) will be expected to volunteer a minimum of 20 hours after the 2026 Jamboree at the World Scouting Museum, cataloging and helping put out the patches on display. Winner(s) (& Parent/Guardian) will be expected to sign a contract with the World Scouting Museum committing to trading patches in good faith, being above board in patch trading, completing their 20 hours of volunteer time, and being a positive ambassador for the World Scouting Museum as our agent at the Jamboree.
Applicants must write a 500-word essay, topic: Why are National Jamborees important and why is it necessary for a Museum to preserve their history.
10 Semi-Finalists will be chosen, and each essay will be published in our Monthly Museum Newsletter, leading up to the 2026 National Scout Jamboree. All 10 Semi-Finalists will be required to have a short 30-minute video conference or in-person meeting with the Museum Curator (Parents/Guardians will be required to attend with Semi-Finalists) to learn about the Scout’s background and their commitment to patch trading and helping the World Scouting Museum in it’s 2026 National Jamboree Mission.
Winner(s) will be announced January 15, 2026 (Date may be moved up due to timing and needs for registration and costs to be paid),. At this time we are looking for 1 winner but we may expand to 2. We have not decided as of September 2025.
Winner(s) must be registered members of Scouting America Buckskin Council and Youth under 18 years of age. Winner(s) and Parent/Guardians will be required to sign a contract accepting the 2026 National Jamboree Scholarship and agreeing to the terms and conditions contained within. The World Scouting Museum 2026 National Jamboree Essay Contest is a merit-based contest; its winner(s) will be chosen by their merits in Scouting, the strength of their written essays, and their overall performance during the Semi-Finalist Interview.
All Essays should be submitted to wsmwvcurator@gmail.com by email no later than December 1, 2025. Late essay may be considered but cannot be guaranteed.
