The Bloggers
News from The Summit Bechtel Reserve, its venues, Patrol Z and the Jamboree.
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Putting on a Jamboree takes a ridiculous amount of work. With all the coordination of activities, discovery of staff and organization of participants, it is nothing short of a miracle that everything went so smoothly. To the over 30,000 participants and leaders who made this an unforgettable and amazing jamboree: "Thank You."
Thanks to the generosity of the Scouts at the 2017 National Jamboree, more than $10,000 has been donated to the World Friendship Fund. Base Camp Charlie, which raised over $1,000, won the challenge to see which Base Camp could raise the most money.
Putting on a jamboree takes a ridiculous amount of work. With all the coordination of activities, discovery of staff and organization of participants, it is nothing short of a miracle that everything went so smoothly. To the approximately 6,000 staff members who put in thousands of hours of work preparing for the jamboree: "Thank You."
Staff members who purchased jamboree tents and/or bicycles should pick up their item(s) on Friday, Saturday or Sunday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The items will be available to be picked up on site and/or at the Ruby Welcome Center.
It takes a lot to produce a National Jamboree. Thousands of volunteer staff members contributed thousands of hours of planning and hard work to ensure that the Scouts in attendance had the times of their lives. But the Jamboree should express its gratitude to another group as well - the corporate partners that made this event…
If you have enjoyed being at the Summit, consider signing up to serve as a seasonal staff member for the summer of 2018. During normal operations in the summer, the Summit requires over 200 seasonal staff members to operate smoothly.
For most adults, the notion of a tree house evokes nostalgia for a childhood of skinned knees and endless summers. But for Frank McCallister, a treehouse has become a way to pair technologies of the future with traditional Scouting values like conservation, thriftiness and efficiency.
The Summit offers two high-adventure programs: The New River Trek and SBR Mountain Bike Trek. The New River Trek is a 50-mile trip along the New River in inflatable kayaks and rafts. Participants experience class I to V rapids and enjoy the natural beauty of the New River.
Kayaking is located on Bravo Lake. From the Summit Center, head from the main entrance east towards the Big Zip landing, go across the dam on Bravo Lake, and the kayaking area is south on the trail. You'll see the kayaks as soon as you get to the landing.
Departure day is around the corner. Details are below for departures on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. As always, please check with your team lead for specific instructions for tear down and departure. Thursday's Departure Schedule Tear down starts at 4:00 For those wishing to leave, there will be buses from Echo to Ruby beginning at…
As the 2017 National Jamboree wraps up, keep this point of the Scout Law in mind: A Scout is Thrifty. Take care of the possessions that you've brought with you to jamboree. Loss and theft unfortunately are always possible at a large event like jamboree.
Scouts and leaders who are knowledgeable in a language other than English can test for an interpreter strip at the International Scouting Exhibit at Action Point. Strips can be earned for 11 different target languages including Arabic, Cantonese, Danish, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai.
Vehicles that were checked out from the jamboree motor pool may be returned starting at noon Thursday. Vehicles will be accepted from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday. All Vehicles Must Be Turned In By 10 a.m.
When you really need speed, nothing is better. Thanks to medical pioneers such as Texas native and Eagle Scout Dr. Red Duke, injured civilians have the option of medical evacuation via helicopter. To give jamboree Scouts a look at the technology, Pilot Geoffrey Field parked his Aeromedical Services Eurocopter EC135 P2+ helicopter in a landing…
In 2014, the Federal Emergency Management Agency reported that West Virginia's fatality rate for home fires was well above the national average, and growing. "For us, that's unacceptable," says Barry Simays, area lead for the 2017 National Jamboree's fire marshal's group.
With the jamboree already half over, the Scouts in attendance have had plenty of time to roam around and explore all the Summit Bechtel Reserve has to offer. We were curious: Which parts of the Summit have been wowing them the most?
Staff member and Venturer Kaitlyn W., from Vancouver, Washington, had a particularly tough decision about whether to attend the 2017 National Jamboree. Kaitlyn, a staff member at Low Gear, was qualified to participate in Nationals for mountain biking. However, she decided to become Jamboree staff member instead.
Popular programs at the 2017 National Jamboree sometimes have a long wait, but the Jamboree mobile app can help: It lists the wait times for each of the major programs at the Jamboree. The times are updated every 10 minutes if they change significantly.
The Order of the Arrow and the National Scouting Museum's Scouting Memories Project have partnered to jointly host the Jamboree 2017 Oral History Project. Youth-focused and led by the four 2017 OA region chiefs, our group attracted great stories big and small, old and new.
West Virginia is home to many different poisonous plants. The most common is poison ivy, which can be recognized by its three-leaf design. It can be found anywhere since it is a vine. Another poisonous plant in West Virginia is the stinging nettle.
Scouts can hear music from Trinidad and Tobago played on steelpans (steel drums) Tuesday at the International Scouting Exhibit. Talented Scouts from the Trinidad and Tobago were selected to attend the Jamboree in order to present the music the country is known for.
Thanks to the Jamboree Post Office, Jamboree participants and leaders can write home to their families about the different programs that they are participating in. Located in the Summit Center near the AT&T Stadium, the Jamboree Post Office offers stamps, postcards and envelopes.
The Summit Center at the jamboree boasts several interesting booths and activities, ranging from merit badges to information on the 2019 World Jamboree. At the Commissioner's Corner booth, an award is offered for both youth and adults who can complete just a few simple requirements.
For the first time since he was a Cub Scout, Mark S. went fishing Friday at the jamboree - and he broke the world record for catching the largest grass carp with a fishing rod without a reel. The fish weighed in at a whopping 22 pounds and was 39 inches long.
You've seen them shuttling participants and staff members around key places at the jamboree: the drivers behind the wheel of the jamboree shuttle buses. Dwayne Rucker is one. For him, driving the Boy Scouts around has been positive. "It's been a great experience.
The special guest cartoon today is "The Brilliant Mind of Edison Lee," by John Hambrock. Anne Morse-Hambrock, his wife, colors the strip and works in many other capacities to keep the strip running smoothly. Today's cartoon was created specifically to run in conjunction with the 2017 National Jamboree in celebration of Boy Scouting and Venturing.
Are you a Scoutmaster or leader of a unit that does not participate in the Order of the Arrow? If so, the OA would like to hear from you! On Tuesday, July 25 at 1PM, the OA will host an open forum for leaders whose units do not participate in the OA program.
At the 1997 National Scout Jamboree, Teesie King, Craig Brasher and Brenda Hanson Smith met while serving on medical staff in Base Camp Charlie. Little did the three know that they would go from being complete strangers to closest friends: As of this summer, they have worked together on six jamborees in the same base…
Navigate swinging logs, cargo nets and rope bridges at the Ropes Challenge Course. It's a jungle adventure that combines obstacles with heights; trees with adventure. It's not all risk though, first stop is the orientation, where scouts learn about the activities ahead, and how to minimize the risk involved.
Many fun activities are located at the Summit Center, a central hub across the lake from Base Camp Charlie. The myriad of activities and tents located near the gorgeous Goodrich Lake vary enough so every person walking around will find something to fit their fancy.
Ron Ferdinand is the cartoonist behind the Sunday Dennis the Menace comic strip. As with the daily strip, Dennis the Menace runs in over 1,000 newspapers internationally. This particular Sunday ended up not being available, however, Ron specifically wanted to be sure they did not miss this opportunity and created a special strip just for…
The Scouts and leaders who've snagged seats in the Jamboree's Offsite Adventures rafting program will take in some of the best sights the country has to offer, at the center of West Virginia's beautiful, historic New River Gorge. Be sure to pack the essentials.
The three large Jamboree shows are sure to be extravagant and elaborate frenzies of music and fun. However, for nights without those large festivals, basecamp bashes will occur on several nights. Here's a rundown: Echo (Staff) - July 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Garden Ground Mountain has always been an oddity in West Virginia history. Formerly a large ridge, it was sheared down for coal mining in the early 20th century. Legend holds that coal miners used the rare flat land to grow vegetables for their families, leading to Mt.
Attendees at the 2017 National Jamboree will have the opportunity to hear from a variety of inspirational and informative speakers, courtesy of the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) . Wendy Perrone, executive director of the Three Rivers Avian Center in Brooks, West Virginia, will kick off NESA's Very Inspirational Presenters (VIPs) program.
One thing at the 2017 National Jamboree that you won't find anywhere else is the amazing set of shows lined up for you and the 40,000 others who will be in the audience. Participants will gather at the AT&T Summit Stadium three times throughout their 10 days at the Jamboree to take in some of…
After a long day at the 2017 National Jamboree, staff members who are looking to sit back, relax, destress, and have a good time will have plenty of opportunities. The Operation Arrow Recreation Committee , an integral portion of Operation Arrow's headquarters team, welcomes jamboree staff, International Scouts, Explorers and Venturers to stop by the recreation…
Jamboree participants who complete the 1,000-foot climb to the summit of the Summit will enjoy a new day-long program, the Jamboree Trek to Garden Ground Mountain. Each participating troop will be assigned an Order of the Arrow Trek Guide, who will greet the troop after breakfast and lead the troop on their hike to the…
By the time your bus rolls up to the Summit Bechtel Reserve, you'll be ready for 10 days of amazing adventure in West Virginia's beautiful New River Gorge National River area that is adjacent to the Summit Bechtel Reserve. But first, it'll be time to set up camp.
The laundry service at the Summit starts on July 18 and continues through July 26, 2017. The laundry service is located in Camp B Medical tent area and Camp E in the Headquarters area. Laundry will cost $10.00 per bag.
Youth, Scout Leader or Staff - everybody participating in the 2017 National Jamboree is required to have a medical exam and submit the BSA's required Annual Health and Medical Record online . If you missed the April 19 deadline goal for early AHMR registration you still have time to submit your form - but it may cost you…
Jamboree is on its way, and the thoughts of program, patch trading, and interacting with thousands around the country are exciting. While all the games, events, and adventure will be a blast, walking thousands of steps to get to each location can be tiring with all the programs being offered.
It's a busy time of year for Scouts, with finals, proms and graduation ceremonies all competing for attention. But it's also just a matter of weeks until we converge at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. So keep your eyes on the prize as an adult leader: Keep your jambo contingent and parents engaged.
As you may know the jamboree will have a dedicated band of Scouts and Scouters. On Wednesday, July 26th at 10:00am you will have the chance to sit in on a rehearsal and practice with the Jamboree Band. At noon you can participate in a mini-concert located at the Summit Center.
As a service to the great folks in West Virginia, we are again encouraging everyone involved in the 2017 National Scout Jamboree; troops, crews, and posts to ask your members to bring one shelf-stable food item to donate to the West Virginia Food Bank on arrival day - July 19th.
At the 2017 National Jamboree each Scout will participate in a program activity called Messengers of Peace Day of Service (MOPDOS). MOPDOS is an opportunity for each Scout to make a meaningful impact on the lives of residents in the 9 counties that surround "The Summit".
The jamboree will be full of opportunities to exercise a Scout's body and to challenge themselves physically. But did you know that there will be opportunities to challenge your mental capacity as well? Those with interest in a mental challenge will be pleased to know that an award achievement opportunity will be available at the…
Jamboree is coming soon! Patch trading, zip lining, rock climbing, swimming and more. However, before everyone can enjoy their time at the Jamboree, they need to get there first. Transportation to the 2017 National Jamboree is designed to be as simple as possible.
Spring is in the air! Oh wait...it's still winter -_- But our BSA Mountain Bike Program Development Training Course will be offered this Spring! 5-15-17 to 5-19-17 If your council offers any sort of mountain bike program, or is even looking to add one, this is DEFINITELY the course you want your instructors to attend.
Anyone who has visited the Summit Bechtel Reserve knows that the weather can change very quickly. West Virginia, and the Summit's, unique topography creates beautiful vistas - and rapidly evolving forecasts! Since the 2013 National Scout Jamboree, leadership at the Summit has been working to better predict, and prepare for, inclement weather.
