Jamboree Tragedy

A group of Boy Scouts attending the National Boy Scout Jamboree walk past a series of Scout flags being flown at half-staff, July 26, 2005, at Fort A.P. Hill, in Caroline County, Va.

The gathering closed to visitors for a day of grieving and reviewing of safety procedures after four adult Scout leaders died in an electrical accident while setting up a dining tent. Officials said the Jamboree would go on, with a memorial service during the opening ceremony.

Boy Scout spokesman Gregg Shields speaks during a news conference at Fort A.P. Hill, in Caroline County, Va., July 26, 2005.

Shields read the names of the four adult Scout leaders who lost their lives: Michael J. Shibe, 49, Mike Lacroix, 42, and Ronald H. Bitzer, 58, of Anchorage, Alaska; and Scott Edward Powell, 57, of Perrysville, Ohio. Shibe had two sons at the Jamboree and Lacroix had one. Three others were injured in the accident.

With the temperature hovering near 100 degrees, a Boy Scout attending the 2005 National Boy Scout Jamboree cools off beneath a tree at Fort A.P. Hill, July 26, 2005, in Caroline County, Va. Chaplains and grief counselors were on hand for Scouts coming to grips with the tragedy.

As Scouts board activity buses, a security employee at the 2005 National Boy Scout Jamboree stands guard outside the media tent during a news conference, July 26, 2005, at Fort A.P. Hill, in Caroline County, Va.

A Boy Scout rappels down a wall at Fort A.P. Hill, in Caroline County, Va., July 26, 2005, during the 2005 National Boy Scout Jamboree. The event attracts more than 40,000 Boy Scouts, leaders and volunteers from around the world.

Boy Scouts fill up their water bottles at an Army water buffalo station, July 26, 2005, at Fort A.P. Hill, in Caroline County, Va.

The Army's Fort A.P. Hill has hosted the Jamboree since 1981. In exchange for getting use of the Army training base, the Scouts have spent about $20 million on base improvements that include road paving and plumbing upgrades. The Army says it uses the Jamboree as an opportunity to train personnel in crowd control, communications and other logistical skills.

A Boy Scout cools down at a fire hydrant, July 26, 2005, at Fort A.P. Hill, in Caroline County, Va.

A Boy Scout crosses above the Army Adventure Area at the 2005 National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, in Caroline County, Va., July 26, 2005.

Boy Scouts line up to use the pay phones at Fort A.P. Hill, in Caroline County, Va., July 26, 2005.

Emergency crews examine the scene of an accident at the National Scout Jamboree, in Caroline County, Va., July 25, 2005.

A security guard clears the road and directs an ambulance leaving the scene of an electrical accident during the first day of the National Scout Jamboree, at the Fort A.P. Hill Army Base, in Caroline County, Va., July 25, 2005.

Utility workers shut off power lines following an electrical accident at the Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree, at Fort A.P. Hill Army Base, in Caroline County, Va., July 25, 2005.

Metal canoes at Fort A. P. Hill await Boy Scouts who'll be working on the canoeing merit badge at the upcoming National Boy Scout Jamboree, July 15, 2005, in Caroline County, Va.

The "Merit Badge Midway" study area is set up for the upcoming National Boy Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, in Caroline County, Va., July 15, 2005.

One of four 40-by-80 "event" pools, each holding 100,000 gallons, constructed for the Scuba Diving merit badge program at the National Boy Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, in Caroline County, Va., July 15, 2005.

Larry Johnson, left, is reflected in a mirror as he installs sinks in a temporary washroom at the campsite of the Boy Scout Jamboree in Caroline County, Va., July 13, 2005. Johnson has worked the Jamboree since the first gathering, in 1981.