Midn. 2⁄C Jason Aepli explains how to read a gauge on the wind tunnel during the Engineering merit badge class. USNA photo by MC3 Matthew A. Ebarb.

The Jamboree provided the Scouts an opportunity to directly interact with more than 100 Midshipmen and use the Naval Academy’s facilities to earn merit badges they might not have the chance to elsewhere. Some of these included astronomy, aviation, chemistry, computers, electronics, engineering, oceanography and weather.

''This weekend provides a great opportunity for the Scouts to have a great and unique experience,'' said Virgil Lloyd, Assistant Troop Master of Troop 13 from Chester, Conn. ''On top of the merit badges, they’ll get to learn a little about history and examine a possible opportunity for themselves in the Academy.''

The event kicked off with Midn. 1⁄C Austin Hervey welcoming the Scouts, who then observed morning colors in Tecumseh Court before departing for religious services. They took a brief tour of the Academy and ate lunch in King Hall before reporting to their respective merit badge classes.

''This is a great experience, especially because we can look at the Scouts now and see in them what we saw in ourselves a few years ago,'' said Hervey. ''It feels good to be able to give back to the community and benefit the Academy at the same time by showing what we have to offer.''

The finale took place that evening on Rip Miller Field and presented several skits as well as this year’s round of ’’Spirit Spots’’ for the annual Army-Navy football game.

''This weekend was awesome. You don’t get to see things like we saw here everyday,'' said Daniel Nelson, a Scout from Troop 428 in Branford, Conn. ''The Midshipmen were nice to us and really intelligent. I would love to have the opportunity to do this again someday.''

The Jamboree is one of two Scout-related events the Naval Academy sponsors annually which focuses on giving Scouts a chance to interact with Midshipmen.