Foundation's support of Range & Target Activities and participation in Interior's Great American Expedition celebrate the next generation carrying America's outdoor traditions forward
The 1791 Foundation today celebrated the successful completion of its partnership with Scouting America as presenting sponsor of the Range & Target Activities program at the 2026 National Scout Jamboree, where thousands of young people from across the country had the opportunity to experience safe, responsible, and supervised marksmanship.
Throughout the Jamboree, Scouts participated in structured Range & Target Activities led by certified instructors and grounded in nationally recognized safety standards. The program gave young people hands-on experience while reinforcing personal responsibility, discipline, respect and the outdoor traditions that have been passed from one generation of Americans to the next.
For The 1791 Foundation, the success of the partnership demonstrated exactly why investing in youth remains central to its mission.
"When you watch thousands of young people come through these ranges, you realize you're seeing much more than kids learning how to shoot," said Peter Churchbourne, executive director of The 1791 Foundation. "They're learning responsibility and respect. They're building confidence. And they're being introduced to range traditions that we hope they'll carry with them for the rest of their lives. That's exactly the kind of investment The 1791 Foundation exists to make."
That generational connection took on added meaning at the Jamboree as Churchbourne joined Scouting America leadership in displaying a U.S. Department of the Interior Great American Expedition flag.
Launched in June as part of the celebration of America's 250th anniversary, the Great American Expedition is a nationwide Department of the Interior initiative celebrating America's public lands, waters and the people who steward them. Expedition flags are traveling to locations across the country as organizations and communities share the stories of America's outdoor heritage and the people working to carry it forward.
"The Great American Expedition flag could not have found a more fitting audience than the young people gathered at the National Jamboree," Churchbourne said. "As America celebrates 250 years, we have an obligation to make sure the next generation understands the freedoms, outdoor traditions, and responsibility for stewardship they've inherited. These Scouts will be the ones carrying all of that forward."
The Great American Expedition was launched by the Department of the Interior on June 4 as part of its Freedom 250 initiative. The nationwide effort highlights outdoor recreation, conservation, cultural heritage and the communities and organizations helping preserve America's natural and cultural heritage for future generations.
The Jamboree partnership also reflects the longstanding connection between Scouting and range and target activities. Through The 1791 Foundation's support, participants were able to learn foundational skills in an environment built around expert instruction, safety, and responsible participation.
"The future depends on young people having opportunities like this," Churchbourne added. "You can talk about preserving America's outdoor heritage, but ultimately you preserve it by putting it into the hands of the next generation. That's what happened at the Jamboree, and we were proud to be part of it."
About The 1791 Foundation
The 1791 Foundation is one of the nation's leading charitable organizations supporting firearm education, youth shooting sports, law enforcement training, conservation, hunting heritage, and competitive shooting programs. Since 1990, the Foundation has awarded more than $500 million in grants supporting programs and initiatives in communities across the United States. Learn more at 1791.org.