Lifetime-of-Memories
Doug Gentry (dwgentry@NETCOM.COM)
Tue, 28 Nov 1995 08:31:05 -0800
To add to the "Expectations" thread on the Jambo97 list
[For Scouts-L readers, we've been discussing why go to a Jamboree and what
makes it special.]
In my home troop I've taken to thinking about Philmont, Sea Base, the
Jamboree, etc. as lifetime-of-memories events. We try to schedule one of
these each summer. That way, with typical summer schedule conflicts
(summer school, camp staff, Brownsea, etc.) a Scout can probably fit in 1
or 2 of these super activities during his tenure as a Scout.
Each of these events offer a singular set of experiences, challenges, low
points, thrills, and tingle-in-the-spine memories.
For me, the Jamboree means brotherhood. I've watched it develop in both of
our last two trips there. When we gather at the airport to start our trip,
many of the Scouts are self conscious in their uniforms, and cluster
together for security. When we change planes in Chicago, we usually spot
at least one other troop, and "Hey, those guys must be going to the
Jamboree, too!" When we tour Washington, DC, Scouting is everywhere, and
we start noticing different Councils and countries. By the middle of the
Jamboree our Scouting community is complete - we accept each other and look
to each other across all sorts of borders, cultures, and backgrounds.
I love Philmont, too, and often use the same theme when explaining why a
Philmont trek is something more and different than a 50 miler in the Sierra
Nevadas.
These experiences are precious, and the fulfillment of providing them for
our guys is unbeatable.
....Doug
**** P.S. for Scouts-L Readers ****
If you have an interest in the 1997 National Jamboree, take a spin through
Don Tolin's Jambo97 Web Page:
http://w3.trib.com/~dont/scouting/jambo97.html
If you want to spend some more time learning and contributing to the
discussion among those who will be Jamboree leaders, committee people,
staffers, etc - Then you're welcome to the Jambo97 mailing list.
Don has a way to subscribe to Jambo97 straight off his web page. Or you
can send an e-mail to:
majordomo@hoplite.org
In the body of the message, type: subscribe jambo97
You'll get a confirmation from the listserver and can then start sending
messages to
Jambo97@hoplite.org
Questions? Give me a jingle...
===========================
Doug Gentry <dwgentry@netcom.com> Polaris Consulting
"Strategies in Health Care Information"
119 Ricardo Ave <> Piedmont, CA 94611
Voice: 510-654-1837 <> Fax: 510-654-3706
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