As countries around the world acknowledge Lord and Lady Baden Powell Week, Prince Edward Island has special reason to celebrate. Prince Edward Island will host the 10th Canadian Scouts Canada Jamboree, CJ 2001, at Cabot Beach Park. The site selection committee for Scouts Canada made the official announcement this week after a complete assessment of sites in Newfoundland, PEI and Nova Scotia.
"We are extremely fortunate to have both a naturally beautiful environment and first-grade facilities to offer groups such as Scouts Canada," said Wes MacAleer, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. "With more than 13,000 scouts, leaders and volunteers expected to participate in CJ 2001, Prince Edward Islanders will enjoy both economic and social benefits as a result of hosting this event."
Prince Edward Island hosted national jamborees in Cabot Park in 1977 and at Fort Amherst/Port La Joye in 1989. "The success of these previous events speaks well for the ability of Islanders and in particular the scouting movement on Prince Edward Island," said Mitch Murphy, Minister of Community Affairs and Attorney General. "We hope to repeat that success as Islanders welcome participants from throughout Canada to Cabot Beach Park in 2001."
For generations the scouting program on Prince Edward Island has positively influenced the lives of Island youth by developing leadership, teaching practical skills and fostering fellowship among group members. Today approximately, 1,500 members belong to the provincial program.
The scouting movement started as an experimental camp for youth at Brownsea Island, off the coast of Britain in 1907 by Lord Baden Powell. Since then, the movement has grown to 25 million members in over 216 countries and territories around the world.
For more information, contact: Sharon L. McGuigan, Economic Development and Tourism, Ph: (902) 368-5810; Fax: (902) 368-4242.