By Mikki-Jean Burzon

SEA GIRT — Boy Scouts from across the state came in droves to the Sea Girt National Guard Training Center for the Boy Scout Camporee held here last weekend.

Last weekend’s event was the second camporee held, with the first event at the camp held two years ago.

“The event takes so much planning and time that we’ve decided to make it a two-year event,” said Robert Warner, president of the Jersey Shore Council of Boy Scouts, who co-hosted the camporee.

The event started with the arrival of Scouts on Friday night who then set up camp, tents and kitchens, with other troops from their council. All together, seven councils were present, including the Jersey Shore Council, which serves Ocean County troops, and the Monmouth County Council.

Over 9,000 Scouts and volunteers camped out at the Sea Girt National Guard, setting up more than 300 tents to house the campers over two nights.

Saturday, the main day of events at the camporee, was packed with things to do starting at 7 a.m. with a reveille — a signal to wake up — and the raising of the flags.

Next, each camp site, separated by council, had breakfast and then set off to explore the many exhibits set up throughout the area.

As co-host of the camporee, the New Jersey State Police set up all of the exhibits which showcased the different areas of service, skill, and training that the state police provide within New Jersey.

Among the many interactive exhibits were military drills, physical fitness, self defense, firearms training simulators, forensic labs, and first aid demonstrations.

Other, non-interactive, display exhibits included tables from units such as the bomb squad, K9, helicopter and the National Guard museum.

The Marine Police also held demonstrations on Stockton Lake.

Boy Scouts attending the camporee also had the opportunity to earn four types of merit badges - crime prevention and fingerprinting, emergency preparedness, citizenship and traffic safety.

Weather conditions and the many state troopers and other volunteers, such as Doug Dzwonczyk, of Somerville, made the event one to remember for all Scouts involved.

“It’s just cool stuff and it’s a very well organized event. All the police and Boy Scout volunteers did a great job organizing it,” said Mr. Dzwonczyk, leader of Troop 83, also of Somerville.

Another Scout leader pleased with the turnout of the event was Mr. Warner, president of the Jersey Shore council of Boy Scouts, who co-hosted the event.

“It is a wonderful opportunity for the more than 9,000 Scouts present to see and learn all of the services that New Jersey police provide our communities,” said Mr. Warner.

He also talked about the theme for this year’s event which was “Saluting Our Veterans,” which he noted is specific to this jamboree.

“This event will really impact the minds of these Scouts so a theme like this is important to have,” continued Mr. Warner.

“Well my dad is a policeman and it was cool that we got to do the stuff that he probably had to do when he was training,” said Nicholas Nowoslawski, 11, of Troop 166 of Rutherford.

Tim Holleran, volunteer dad for Troop 166 which brought 26 Scouts to the camporee, said that the event was a great portrayal of the country.

“I think this event really shows the Scouts what a great country it is that we live in, where all of these men are working to protect us. That doesn’t get mentioned a whole lot at events like this,” said Mr. Holleran.

Scouts also enjoyed religious services on the beach and camaraderie that they wouldn’t otherwise have experienced.

“When you take a step back and see how big this event will be in some of these kids’ minds, you realize how great and important the Boy Scout program is,” said Tom Rodgers, volunteer grandfather for Troop 34 of Jackson.

The event went off without a hitch and both the Jersey Shore Council of Boy Scouts and the New Jersey State Police are looking forward to holding another jamboree in two years.