The ATV Safety Institute (ASI) introduced 311 Boy Scouts to the positive experience of riding all-terrain vehicles at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree July 15-24 at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in Piney View, WV. Despite several cancellations due to thunderstorms, ASI conducted a total of 46 ATV RiderCourses throughout the 10-day event, which marked the first time the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) authorized a motorized activity at a Jamboree.
ASI offered the ATV RiderCourse to both Scouts and Venturers, young men and women in BSA's Venturing youth development program. Three ASI training ranges were set up to accommodate up to eight students per class, three times a day. After the Scouts and Venturers completed the closed-range ASI ATV RiderCourse, they participated in an instructor-led trail ride through the West Virginia woods.
The BSA's inclusion of these popular ATVs in Jamboree activities is a first, and it did not escape the attention of the news media. ASI's Facebook page details all of the media coverage and includes some great photography of Scouts and Venturers in action.
"We are so excited to have been able to offer ASI's ATV RiderCourse for the very first time at a Jamboree," said ASI vice president Tom Yager. "Everyone who participated in the training was thrilled with the enthusiasm and excitement the Scouts and Venturers showed for learning to ride ATVs. This was an amazing experience for all of us and we look forward to training more Scouts and Venturers at Jamborees in the future."
The Jamboree is held once every four years and offers Scouts and Venturers the opportunity to camp out, try new activities and have fun in the outdoors. This year was the first time that the event was held at its new permanent home at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve.
"ASI is very excited to have had this opportunity at the Jamboree," said ASI executive vice president Paul Vitrano. "We'd like to thank the hundreds of Scouts and Venturers, the volunteers and ASI instructors who were in attendance, as well as Tucker Rocky and AFX for donating safety gear for use by the BSA riders. Finally, we're extremely grateful to ASI's member companies for making appropriate-sized vehicles available for this large-scale event, where we trained individuals from as far away as England, Belgium and Puerto Rico, as well as from all over the United States."
To find an ATV RiderCourse and enroll, visit www.atvsafety.org. In addition to learning safe riding skills on a range, riders can also brush up on ATV safety principles online with the ATV E-Course, also available at www.atvsafety.org.
The All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute develops rider training programs and promotes the safe and responsible use of ATVs. The ASI works to reduce crashes and injuries resulting from improper ATV use. Formed in 1988, the ASI is a not-for-profit division of the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America. For safety information or to enroll in the ATV RiderCourse nearest you, visit www.atvsafety.org or call (800) 887-2887.
