Re: JAMBO97 females at jamboree (and Explorer Youth Staff
Amick Robert (amick@SPOT.COLORADO.EDU)
Mon, 10 Jun 1996 15:41:09 -0600
On Mon, 10 Jun 1996 Monty12@aol.com wrote:
>I had a conversation with Don Winston, head of Explorer Division of BSA
>and was appalled that female Explorers are excluded form the National
>Jamboree.
> Any suggestions? How can we get around this?
Regrettably, you cannot. The 1989 Jamboree had an Explorer Subcamp which
failed abysmally because very few explorers signed up. Why they didn't is
a difficult question. Some have suggested that it was not promoted by
local councils and their respective jamboree committees,
so posts didn't get the word on the opportunity. Others have suggested
that "Explorers didn't want to go to a 'Boy Scout' event," so they didn't
sign up. Still others have suggested that there was not clear or
appealing information about what the Explorers would do at the Jamboree,
so it was not well received by them. In any case, the failure was a
major disappointment, and impacted the potential for future Explorer
Participation at National Jamborees.
The B.S.A. did send a coed Explorer delegation to the XVIII World Jamboree
in Holland (a post from each region of about 36 explorers) which was very
successful. I would hope that this may eventually become a "model" from
which Explorers will be allowed to participate in future jamborees. I
know this doesn't solve your immediate concern for the 1997 Jamboree.
However, if it is a choice between going as a staff member, or not at all,
you should know that a staff position is actually very appropriate and a
great deal of fun for Explorers.
Explorer youth staff are most certainly not relegated to "picking up
trash. In fact, Explorers participate in a variety of highly responsible
areas such as jamboree security, communications, medical/first aid; high
adventure and outdoor activity program areas such as rappelling, SCUBA,
archery, bike marathons, skeet shooting, challenge courses, and much more;
jamboree newspaper, arena shows stage crews, and many others. This
is a tremendous opportunity for them to use their leadership skills and
talents and might even be more fun than trying to attend as a
unit. I just completed an advanced explorer leadership development
workshop for some Explorers in our Council and told them about the staff
opportunities; and they were very excited. Many of them took application
forms, and are going to sign up. The biggest problem, as always in
Exploring, is just getting the word out to the Explorers so they know
about opportunities and can take advantage of them.
I have been informed that there are plans to house all Explorers on
staff in their own subcamp, which again would be very close to being like
attending as participants. By having the Explorers all together, they can
share comraderie, have fun events, and most of all, enjoy the jamboree
experience. Another plus, is that youth staff only pay 1/2 the full
jamboree fee of $445 so they can participate for about $225 plus their
transportation costs and personal expenses.
So get a handful of national staff applications from your Council Service
Center, get the Explorers to fill them out, and send them
in right away! It is a tremendous opportunity for your Explorers and they
will never regret doing it. Most of all, their talents and enthusiasm are
very much needed for the Jamboree staff, and they can contribute very
meaningfully, whether as high adventure rappelling instructors, SCUBA
diving assistants, Jamboree Security/Medical/Health and Safety, or any
number of exciting possibilities! Remember that Youth staff will need to
show up a few days in advance of the start of the jamboree for training
and orientation, and different assignments may require different show-up
times, but that will all be explained when they receive their letter of
appointment from the staff coordinator of the area to which they are
assigned. Apply soon, as positions are already being filled. Remember
that there are over 5000 staff positions, therefore many opportunities.
Often there are shortages, especially in program areas, so Explorers are
desperately needed to help.
Have your Explorers send in a personal resume of their qualifications,
talents, and experiences, along with the application form, and list
first, second, and third choices for position assignments (choices are
listed on the "goldenrod" backside copy of the staff application). It
is not required or requested, but it gives them a better chance of getting
a position they are really interested in by giving the selection committee
a better idea of their talents and interests. References are not a bad
idea either; no need to have letters, but listing names of those who could
serve as a reference is helpful.
See you at the Jamboree!
Bob Amick, Explorer Advisor, High Adventure Explorer Post 72, Boulder, CO
and Promotions Chair, Longs Peak Council Jamboree Committee
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
