WVU School of Pharmacy volunteers support Scouts at National Jamboree

Being trustworthy, helpful, and kind are some of the qualities shared by pharmacists and Scouts alike. Those values brought representatives from the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy to southern West Virginia to volunteer at Scouting America’s 2026 National Jamboree.

Held July 22-31 at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in Fayette County, the 10-day event welcomed thousands of Scouts, leaders and volunteers from around the world for outdoor adventures, leadership development, educational programming, and service opportunities. Dr. Marina Galvez Peralta, teaching

associate professor, and Inez Behrens, a third-year student pharmacist, represented the School of Pharmacy as part of a larger health care team. As pharmacists, they helped treat activity-related emergencies and ensured medications for preexisting conditions did not cause harmful interactions.

The broader team brought together physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals from across the United States. WVU participants included students, faculty and staff from the schools of Dentistry, Medicine and Nursing, as well as representatives from WVU Medicine and the Department of Psychology in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. Representatives from community organizations and industry partners also served on the team.

For Behrens, the experience offered an opportunity to apply lessons from the classroom while serving patients in a unique and fast-paced environment.

“As a pharmacy student and Eagle Scout, this experience gave me the unique opportunity to blend these two skill sets together in a way I never have before,” Behrens said. “The Jamboree gave me a space to learn more about medicine and how to work with available resources to achieve the best clinical outcomes. I was also able to unite my Scouting principles and pharmacy knowledge to serve others in a meaningful way while growing as both a leader and future pharmacist.”

“This is my second year volunteering for the Jamboree. It is very rewarding to work with an extraordinary team of volunteers who share the same goal: caring for Scouts and volunteers, both physically and mentally,” Galvez said. “Because our formulary is limited, we sometimes need to think outside the box to meet patients’ needs. It is also an opportunity to educate patients on how best to use their medications while at camp and inspire Scouts about the fascinating world of pharmacy.”

The School of Pharmacy’s involvement reflects its commitment to service and interprofessional collaboration while giving faculty members and students opportunities to use their knowledge and skills to support the health and well-being of Scouts and volunteers. Read more about WVU’s involvement with the National Jamboree.