Re: Scouts-L camporee (long)
(no name) ((no email))
Wed, 12 Aug 1998 22:36:47 +0000
Ed Dunn had a great idea....
>Mike, what about Norris, Tennessee? They have an Applachian
>Museum and grounds, some wonderful hiking/camping, and hotels for
>the rest of us.
>
>About 20 miles North of Knoxville, it is literally right off of Rt
>75, and is accessable to many states.
>
>My father (Silver Beaver, et) lives there and could help put the
>logistics together. It's about two hours from here.
That sounds great, Ed....anyone else with ideas on where we can
meet?
Just to give a little background: Members of this list (and others
from some eight or so other Scouting forums or lists!) met for the
first time at the 93 National Scout Jamboree, at the invite of
Northeast Region Commodore (and list member) Bruce Johnson (and
members of the Sea Scouting/Exploring exhibit). There were seating
for all, cold softdrinks and hot coffee for us, and a lot of great
discussion and laughter and patch trading and phototaking and a
very memorable first time event!
We decided that a second meeting would just HAVE to be done, and
the site was the National OA Conference two years later. We met
after the opening show in a very promienent location on the campus
of Purdue University. Again, the meeting was very successful, and
although we didn't have seats (a lot of us stood at the late
night), we did have a lot of the friendships and goings-on that one
would expect at finally placing a face to the names that come
across our screens daily!
Of course, there's just HAD to be a third meeting, and that was
supposed to be last year, during the National Scout Jamboree. But
it didn't happen. The biggest problem was that the BSA didn't want
any distractions to the official program and has asked "outside
groups" to please take their "reunions" and "special meetings" to
venues outside of the Jamboree. It didn't stop members of this
list (and from the Jamboree 97 list, under Doug Gentry's leadership
and guidance) to meet each other informally at one of the three
trading posts during the Jamboree. I had made plans to hold such
a meeting outside the Jamboree, but many Jamboree participants
stated that they wouldn't be able to take part in it due to
Jamboree restrictions on where and under what conditions could
participants leave the Jamboree site.
So, while some of us did get to see each other during the Jamboree,
the third "net meeting" didn't go off well at all overall.
The biggest problem, Ed, has seem to be a conflict with existing
BSA events and programs; many of our participants here, because of
their busy youth program schedule, can only take off a certain
amount of time each year and it was easier to incorporate a "net
meeting" as part of the BSA's events that people would be at anyway
than to try to setup a separate event. However, this keeps people
away from doing what they came to the BSA event for....and creates
some degree of personal and "professional" conflict.
This next year is a "down year" for the BSA. There are NO
SIGNIFICANT NATIONAL EVENTS GOING ON DURING 1999.
I've been working with the people at Land Between the Lakes to put
together a weekend for "Internet Scouters". This broad term would
encompass ANYONE from ANY forum, registered or not, active or not,
youth or adult, that wishes to come and meet with others like them,
to receive presentations on various software/hardware items
available to Scouters, and in short, to be a "trade show" for those
of us whom are online. A great dinner at a special location would
also be included, along with a group photo (something we have
failed to do in the past two events!). Sounds great, doesn't it??
I've got a thick folder covering everything from insurance matters
and maps to points-of-contacts for some 30 or so vendors that would
be pleased as punch to talk to people who understand (or at least
use) computers in a family/community setting. I've also got a
"disclaimer form" that participants have to sign basically stating
that "this is NOT a BSA event, and if you get sick or injury
yourself, you cannot go back to your Council and ask them to pay
for it".
The biggest sticking points I've got right now are two: money (a
very big sticking point, because I'm constantly being reminded that
"you want to make this affordable or NOBODY will be there except
you and me" (Says Jessica, and she's right!) and date (the entire
Land Between the Lakes blossom up right after Easter, which means
that we will have to be there around Feburary-March to get the best
rates and to have usage of all of the facilities that we want to
have access to).
I've even asked around to see who would be willing to do a
Tradeoree there....
What says you all??
Settummanque!
(c) 1998 Mike Walton ("no such thing as strong coffee,...") (502) 827-9201
(settummanque, the blackeagle) http://dynasty.net/users/blkeagle
241 Fairview Dr., Henderson, KY 42420-4339 blkeagle@dynasty.net
privately at kyblkeagle@aol.com or waltonm@hq.21taacom.army.mil
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