Day 9

I feel like every day I want to say that today has surpassed every day so far and I suspect that I will want to say that tomorrow too. Today was amazing for a number of reasons but the most amazing part of today was the "Arena Show". The arena is a big field. They estimated that there were 80,000+ at the arena show including visitors. Today is the highest number of visitors. What made the Arena Show so amazing and special was that it was like a boy scout version of Woodstock. We had music, speakers and they even had some scout contests before it got started. President Obama gave a video taped address as did the Governor of West Virginia. Now if you happen to notice that we are not in West Virginia but it Virginia you might be wondering why the Governor of West Virginia would speak. The answer to that question lies in the knowledge that BSA has purchased with the help of some donors land in West Virginia that will be the location for Jamboree moving forward. The land is on the New River which has some great whitewater rapids and well as great rock climbing and mountain biking as well as enough acreage for a high adventure base, a summer camp, a training center and lots of other options. Starting in 2013. Jamboree is normally every 4 years but this one was stretched to 5 years because of the anniversary.

Others that presented their talents were Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs fame. He told the boys that they needed to add a Dirty Jobs merit badge. Needless to say he got a big ovation on that. He has a great message for the boys too. We also had musical groups Honor Society and also Switchfoot. I think that the scouts really enjoyed both of those. To close out the show they presented a fireworks show that was easily the biggest one that I have ever seen.

That recounts the major happenings of the day. During the Areana Show I worked in Arena Medical keeping the computers, printers and scanners running. They have come to like us quite a bit. I don't know if I told you but when I am on duty I have a partner, Jonathan Shields that is from Richmond, Virginia. However, he was not a last minute addition and is good to work with.

I think I am going to call that a wrap for tonight. It is late and I have church services tomorrow. I will put up some pictures tomorrow too.

SLY, Dad

Day 8

I don't know if we are settling into a routine but work-wise there is less to do right now so we did not have that many tickets to work on. However, I was able to see Bill Burch, the brother that carved my bolo that I got at the LDS Training at Philmont Training Center. He lives in Orem, UT and has carved nearly 50,000 bolos. I also found out that he is the former scoutmaster of Brother Bob Higbee. I told Brother Burch that Brother Higbee says hi and he laughed and told me a funny story about when Brother Higbee turned 14. Brother Burch said that Brother Higbee came up to him and said "Now I don't have to go on any more campouts!" Brother Burch just laughed then wanted me to tell him some stuff about him.

Eight of us from the Information Systems group went into Fredricksburg, VA for dinner tonight to give us a break from the standard food that is served. Don't get me wrong, the food isn't bad by any means but it starts to seem very similar each night. Breakfast and lunch are even more similar each day. However, it is amazing how they are able to feed this many folks. The Jamboree organizers are concerned about dehydration. For our big arena show tomorrow night they brought in 11 Wal-Mart semis full of pallets of water. They are expecting about 80,000 people for the big show. I will tell you more about that tomorrow.

Well, I got a couple of good pictures of Brother Burch. That is what I am including tonight.

Day 7

Well, today has officially become the wettest day thus far. Just before noon a thunderstorm boiled up almost directly on top of us. It did not move in but started right on top of us. Many people scattered for shelter but there were a lot of people that were stuck out in the down pour. I think that most were scouts and either didn't care or didn't notice. We had another shower later in the afternoon. I am currently sitting in a large party tent (no sides) with 6 rows of 5 picnic tables and it kept us all dry. I come out here to write this because I have somewhere to sit and there is a breeze (unlike our barracks). I don't think I have written about our sleeping quarters yet, have I? Our group has it really good. We are not in an air conditioned building but I sleep in a bunk (I have the bottom) and lots of folks (not me) have fans to help keep them cool. We are supposed to start having cooler nights in the 60's and not get into the 90's during the day. That should help.

Today I started out waiting in line at the trading post to get the Patch of the Day patch (see below - it is the top patch). There has been one for each day but this is the first one that I have gotten. There are a limited number and usually sell out pretty quickly. I went for another reason but since I was in the first to get there I was able to get it. I also haven't talked about patch trading. Each of the contingent troops (36 scouts and 4 leaders) have what is called a JSP or Jamboree Shoulder Patch. It is like a Council Shoulder Patch but special for the Jamboree troop. For example, our council is in Sub Camp 16 so our unit numbers are 1601, 1602, etc. Each unit has a unique JSP. Many of the councils create a center patch that you can put all the JSPs around to make a set. The 3 Utah Councils all do a very nice job of their patches. I got one from Utah National Parks Council today (south of Salt Lake Council all the way to the bottom of the state - a very large Council). I am trying to get a patch set from Hawaii but probably don't have anything to trade for it. The boys trade with boys and the adults trade with each other too. Some of the folks are very serious about it. I included some pictures of folks that are more into it trading their patches. I think that I mentioned yesterday that I got the set from the USPS group that includes a special commemorative patch for the Boy Scout stamp that was issued on Tuesday.

I was also able to take a training tonight after dinner for CPR and AED (Automatic External Defibrillator). They were trying to set a Guiness Book of Records for the most people trained in 24 hours. I know that in the last session, my session we had 1120 attend. It was pretty impressive. I am not sure how many attended today but I think that they had 10 sessions with 2 getting rained out. I also know that our session was the largest of the day.

Well, that pretty well wraps it up for today other than the work I did. To give you an idea of some of the tasks we are responsible for we have about 600 laptops and another 300 or so printers (variety of laser and all-in-ones). We have computers in all of the medical tents. Those systems consist of two medical laptops (Dell Latitude D620) with a handheld barcode scanner, a document scanner and a laser printer. When someone comes in for health problems the barcode on their ID badge is scanned and a form is printed out that the doctor and nurse use to document the problem. Once the patient is discharged that form is then scanned back into the system and this information is available to all medical personnel anywhere in camp. We spent quite a bit of time this afternoon in SubCamp 4 diagnosing wireless connectivity issues. We resolved it but hooking their laptops up to an external WiFi device that we were able to hang from the rafter of the medical tent. This got the antenna up high enough that they are working fine now. I also spent time checking out laptops that were returned as not working properly. I was able to fix a couple of systems and the others ones had too big a problem and were put in the reject pile.

I also got a bicycle today to ride around. It is assigned to our group. We have two. I rode it back to our barracks and then to the CPR/AED training. It is a cruiser style bike. I think Mom needs one of these bikes! Click here for example of a cruiser similar to the one I rode today. It was warm and quite humid and by the time I got home I was quite soaked. I am headed to the shower before going to bed.


Now for the pictures of the day:



We did the CPR/AED training at the Arena. This is prior to all the scouts coming in. The guy that led the session did every session all day and was still going strong at 8pm.



This picture is looking back on the scouts coming in. What you see on the ground is the resuscitation dummies and the card representing the AED device. We didn't get our own AED's.



These are patches that I collected today except for the bottom one. I added one more when I traded the bottom one. The top one is the Patch of the Day for International Day. The 2nd patch is a really cool JSP that has an Eagle and a John Deer tractor on it.



This is one of the more seasoned patch traders. He is from Abilene.



This is another seasoned patch trader. You can see a set of 3 center pieces and the JSPs that go around the outside. Also, there is a special set in the foreground that the guy isn't trading but has them out for others to see and enjoy.

Editor's Note (same guy as the writer): As I was looking back on the comments in the other posts I think I must have already told you about the medical tent systems. Sorry.

2nd Note: I will try to find Mike and Laurie's Bishop tomorrow or Saturday.

Day 6

Today the weather turned very warm again. We had the first arena show where all of the scouts are invited (see pictures below). We had Secretary of Defense and Eagle Scout Robert Gates speak as well as some others. He gave a great patriotic message. We also had Miss America Caressa Cameron sing and give a short talk. There was also a Broadway singer that sang two patriotic songs and she was great. The Air Force did a fly-over of 3 F-16s and the Army's Golden Knights Parachute Jump Team came floating in from 9,000 feet. Did you know that they reach speeds of 120 MPH in free fall? However, the highlight of the arena show just ahead of Robert Gates was the MC. He was the 2 millionth Eagle Scout. He was very composed and did a great job.

We also supported the Medical Tent during and a little after the Jamboree. After the arena show we stopped by QBSA, the Jamboree radio station. Check on www.bsajamboree.org to hear streaming audio. They have scouts be the DJ from 9am to 4pm I think.

I spent the afternoon after I got off work (I didn't work the afternoon shift today) doing my laundry, catching up on emails and catching a short nap.

In the evening after dinner we walked around a bit and I talked with my coworker Carl Murphy (my bunk mate) about some of the great National Parks in Utah. We were outside the sub-camp with Utah National Parks Council (Utah Valley south all the way to St. George) and Trapper Trails Council (Ogden north).



Sunset over our barracks that we live in.



Scouts preparing for the flag ceremony at the Opening Arena Show.



Just before the beginning of the arena show.



Scouts at the Arena Show.



Scouts standing up at the Arena Show.



A view of some of the scouts at the Arena Show.



The Army Golden Knights Parachute Team



Hot Air Balloon based in Shreveport, LA.



Entrance to SubCamp 2 - One of 21 SubCamps.

Day 5

Another amazing day. The thing that amazes me the most is that so far every day has been different. We started off the morning with the opening ceremony at Flag Pole Hill (see picture below). After that I did my basic work. One of the calls we went on took us out the the Photo Booth in the National Exhibits area. It is a place where you take a picture in front of a blue screen and then they superimpose a picture there. I was able to get my picture taken while we were there (see picture below). I also went to the Merit Badge Midway and visited the Genealogy Merit Badge and Family Search tent. Interestingly enough, working in the Genealogy Merit Badge was Brother Dale Patterson that used to live in our ward. They live in Vancouver, WA and he said that he knows the Grange's.

After going back to our office we really didn't have a lot to do so we managed to get into the line for the new postage stamp that was just issued today. I was able to get some envelopes with the stamp and the first day of issue cancellation stamp. See a picture of the stamp below.

After dinner I walked over to Sub Camp 6 to see my friend Stan Child. We had a very nice chat as we walked back to my barracks.



Scouts at the Sunday Devotional at Arlington National Cemetery.



The flags at Flag Pole Hill. This is only some of them as all states are represented but also a couple of flags related to our nation.



My photo from the Photo Booth at Jamboree.



The stamp that was released today.

This is your faithful Jamboree reporter signing off now.

Day 4

The fourth day of my Jamboree experience was great because the scouts arrived and now there are tents everywhere. We transformed the city of 10,000 (staffers) to a city of just about 50,000 (staffers, scout leaders and scouts). I have never seen so many charter buses in all my life. There were coming and going all day long. All of the activity centers are open adn the boys started enjoying them. I will tell you about these with each blog post. Today I want to tell you about Mountain Boarding. This is a mix of snowboarding (think board and hill) with skateboarding (think board with wheels) but the tires are big rubber ones and the boys go down a hill. It looks very fun.

Our group spent the day helping iron out the kinks in the computer systems and wireless networks. The main user is the medical team. There are medical stations in each sub-camp staffed by doctors, nurses and paramedics that are volunteers just like me. I met and chatted with a Urologist from Hawaii yesterday and the day before too. He is a very nice man that is a good scouter. Each Jamboree participant has a name tag with a bar code on it. If they go to the medic station they scan the bar code and print out an information sheet. The doctor makes his notes on this paper then it is scanned back into the computer. This information that is scanned in is then available to all of the medical workers in camp. The group I work in helps make sure that this is working at the 20 or so medic stations and other locations throughout camp as well as other computer systems too.

Another day is in the books. Tomorrow starts the fun for the boys and I will let you know more about that tomorrow.

Day 3

Day 3 had a very memorable event to start the day. Shortly after breakfast I was picked up by an airport limo (not stretched) driver and driven into Washington, D.C. to the Arlington National Cemetery. Earlier in the week I was contacted to help put together a devotional service for about 3,000 scouts from 7 states. I agreed and thought that it was very important for a scout to participate on the program. I was able to arrange for a scout from Circle 10 Council to give the invocation and another scout lead the group in the Scout Oath. I also contacted Charles W. Dahlquist II who is the Great Salt Lake Council President, former General Young Men's President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the National Jamboree Chaplin. That left the benediction that I would give.

The day was very hot. The devotional was scheduled for 10am and when I arrived about 9:30am there were many Jamboree troops already there seeking shade from the sun. The tour company that arranged the program, World Strides, had also arranged for Major General Vaughn A. Ary, Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps and Directory, Judge Advocate Division to give a patriotic message. Brother Dahlquist and Major General Ary both gave great messages. After the program many boys came up to shake hands and get their pictures taken with these great men.

After the completion of the program I was able to witness the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I also took several pictures at the cemetery. The limo driver picked me up at the Amphitheater steps and delivered me back to Fort A.P. Hill. I also had the pleasure of having John McCollum, a scouter from Circle 10 Council who was the course director for the Wood Badge course that I took, ride with me to the ceremony.

After getting back to camp, I changed clothes and it was on to completing a few tasks in preparation for the scouts to start arriving tomorrow morning. We will build a city of over 40,000 in a matter of a few hours tomorrow.

In yesterday's post I failed to mention one of my Eagle Scouts. Tatia was a smart young lady when she picked her husband. Jake, my terrific son-in-law is also an Eagle Scout. I really have 5 Eagle Scouts only we didn't help one of them earn his Eagle rank, his parents did! Way to go Jake.

Arlington National Cemetery


General Ary and President Dahlquist


Looking at the stage at the Amphitheater


Looking out from the stage before the program

Addendum: I just met a Stake President from the Los Angeles area. President Chavez is president of a Hispanic stake, he is 33 years old and has already been a stake president for 4 years. WOW!

Day 2

Day 2 is now complete. It was another hot day at Jambo. We spent our time preparing for the scouts to arrive on Monday. My assigned task was to setup computers, printers and in one case a network. I worked in NESA (National Eagle Scout Association) and will be back there to sign up my 4 Eagle Scout sons for a lifetime membership. I also worked in Amateur Radio (of course one of my favorites), National Exhibits, the office of Philanthropy and finishing up in Technology Quest. I also went into Fredricksburg for some dinner at a Tex-Mex restaurant named Carlos O'Kelly's. I am not sure how an Irish Mexican or is it a Hispanic Irishman? I don't know but it sure hit the spot.

I will tell you that today was very hot and muggy. It was 102 today and 102 is forecast for tomorrow. A little cooler weather is forecast for Monday and the few days after that.

In the morning however, I will get picked up by a town car and go to Arlington National Cemetery to participate in a program for the scouts from Circle 10 Council as well as some others. I was asked to help with organizing it and will be giving the benediction. Elder Charles Dahlquist III from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Chaplin of All Faiths at Jamboree will give an inspirational message.

Check back after Day 3 for additional comments.

Here We Go!

I am on the IT staff for the BSA 2010 National Jamboree and I will write about my experiences over the next couple of weeks. First, many of you may be surprised that at a Boy Scout Camp we need IT support at all. Follow this blog to learn more about the reasons for that.

2010 is the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouting in the United States. That makes this Jamboree a very special event. Do you know what a Jamboree is? A Jamboree is often defined in terms of scouting (either Boy or Girl). It is a large assembly, often international with planned events and entertainment. The 2010 Jamboree will also commemorate the 100th anniversary of the BSA (Boy Scouts of America).

It is estimated that there will be 55,000+ scouts and leaders in attendance with a support staff of another 9,000 individuals. This is truly a large event. BSA has been preparing for this event for 5 years since the close of the last Jamboree.

Currently I am in transit to Fort A.P. Hill, VA, the location of this year's Jamboree. BSA has held it's Jamborees at this location since 1975 and this will be the last one for this site.

Stay tuned for more, regular updates to come from Fort A.P. Hill.