The Boy Scouts of America are celebrating the centennial anniversary of Scouting in the United States, and area north county troops and packs are planning to join in the celebration.

Part Jamboree, part Scout Day, the April 10 Scout Jam 2010 promises to be one huge, family-friendly event, filled with demonstrations, exhibitions, competitions and celebrations of all things Scouting. The special centennial Jam is being held in lieu of the annual council-wide Scout-O’Rama.

Starting at 9 a.m. at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds in Fort Walton Beach, Scout Jam 2010 isn’t just a local scouting event for troops in the Choctaw District: The entire Gulf Coast Council, from Pensacola to Panama City and north into Alabama will be represented.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime event for the boys,” said Unit Commissioner Rae Schwartz. “This time the whole council is coming.”

Schwartz said boys from Crestview Troops 773 and 30, and Holt Troop 532 will be attending the event, as well as Cub Scouts from most area packs. All participants will receive a special commemorative patch to sew on their uniforms, Schwartz said. They can earn special segments that go around the patch for participating in various activities.

Many of the Boy Scouts, Ventures and Explorers will camp out overnight at the fairgrounds, Schwartz said. Some of the Cub Scouts will spend the night at a special encampment just for the younger boys at the Mullet Festival grounds. Boys will also be encouraged to visit the Eglin Air Show, to be held the same day.

“This is something we’ve all been working on for quite a while,” Schwartz said “We have special activities for every branch of the scouting family.”

Activities will include ham radio contacts, thanks to the local troops’ special relationship with the North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club. Other activities include crafts projects, stargazing, an Indian village, model airplanes, fly tying, casting demonstrations, cooking lessons, and more. A Scout Shop and Trade-o-Ree will make it easy for Scouts and visitors to collect cool Scout Jam and Scouting Centennial stuff.

Demonstrations and exhibits will be presented by community organizations including fire departments, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Nonie’s Ark, the Northwest Florida Heritage Museum, the Florida Division of Forestry, public safety agencies, EMTs and the Emerald Coast Reef Association. The day concludes with an 8 p.m. presentation by adventurer, author and Eagle Scout Alvin Townley.

“If you have any interest in what Scouts are doing these days, come out and see us,” Schwartz invited. It’s a great opportunity to see what scouting is all about, she said, and if you used to be a Boy Scout, this will be a chance to see how much the organization has evolved. Scouts are invited to bring buddies who might be interested in joining.

“Even for adults, if you were in scouting and want to come see what we’re doing now, the public is more than welcome,” Schwartz said.

“It’s going to be a huge event,” promised Council Program Director Jim Boksa.