Normandy Camporee 2024 (Allison McKenzie)
NORMANDY - The Normandy Camporee is a major campout that occurs every three years for Scouts BSA (formerly known as Boy Scouts of America) members. This year’s campout hosted over 50 troops with a total of 1421 Scouts and staff members from all over the world including the United Arab Emirates, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and more.
Throughout the weekend, starting on April 19 and ending on April 21, Scouts and adult leaders participated in memorial services, led ceremonies recognizing 26 Eagle Scouts, two Sea Scout Quartermaster, a Chief Scout Gold (UK award) and 28 Arrow of Light recipients. They also explored historical locations like Pointe du Hoc, Maisy Battery and the Airborne Museum. This year is the 80th anniversary of D-Day as well, making the experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Normandy Camporee 2024 (Allison McKenzie)
The planning of the Normandy Camporee involved “three or four years of planning, including tons of logistics, organizing and lots and lots of volunteers,” according to Robert Krone, the CEO and President of Scouts BSA. At the event itself, 72 staff members from every corner of the world came together to run and organize the Normandy Camporee. Other parts of the extensive process include organizing “all the regulators, equipment, tents, organizers for shows.”
For this year’s Normandy Camporee, there was also an app that required testing and development. However, it all paid off in the end. Mr. Krone believes that the best part of the camporee is “getting to camp near the beaches where the US and the Allies came ashore.”
Over the weekend, 26 new Eagle Scouts were recognized on Omaha Beach. Eagle Scout is the highest rank in Scouting which requires a Scout-led service project, first aid and nature training, leadership requirements and more. According to Ayla Ingram (17), a new Eagle Scout that participated in the ceremony, she was “very happy that I’m able to take part in such a unique experience.”
Normandy Camporee 2024 (Allison McKenzie)
In his opening speech during the final campfire, Nolan Schelly, former chief of the Black Eagle Lodge in the Order of the Arrow, BSA’s honor society, stated that he is excited that Normandy gives Scouts the opportunity to “join here as Scouts in unity…and honor and remember the brave souls who 80 years ago fought valiantly on these very beaches where we stand.”
Scouting stands as an opportunity open to all to serve their communities, learn invaluable skills and prepare for the future. This Normandy Camporee is the pinnacle of understanding Scouts and Scouting as a whole.
Normandy Camporee 2024 (Allison McKenzie)
