emb021

"In reference to halikiki's question, Venturers may not wear the Boy Scout shirt: "Male and female Venturers should not wear the Boy Scout tan shirt with green shoulder loops." (p. 338 of the Venturing Leader Manual) So the decision of the crew does have some limits." Well, actually there are several limitations on crew decisions about uniforms. You mentioned one. Another is that if you wear the green shirt, you MUST follow uniforming policy, including wearing the shoulder loops (green, silver or gold as appropriate). So no wearing patches in other locations, no wearing non-standard loops or deciding not to wear the loops. Also, the color of the pants worn with the green venturing shirt is pretty clear: charcoal gray. So no tan pants/shorts, jeans, etc that you often see.

Rain. Yeah, every Jamboree I've been at I'd had rain. It seems every Jamboree at AP Hill I've done its rained really hard a couple of days. 1981. I do recall some hard rains a couple of days. Made it a little miserable, but we survived. 1989. Again, some hard rains. I was in the GP tents at Trading Post C (near Longstreet). As we were on a slope, the rain came down the slop thru our tents. My tent was fairly ok, as we had gravel on the ground, and the water passed between the gravel. Other tents had it much worse. The brought in mulch to help. We also took advantage of the extra unused cots to put our stuff on to keep them out of the rain. 1993. Again, hard rains. This time I was in the GP tents at Longstreet. The rain flooded my tent (and some others). Our stuff was fine, as we had used unused cots to put our stuff on. The staff in the nearby barracks invited us in, and most of us moved our cots in for a couple of nights until things dried out. 2001. Again, hard rains. But as I was now in the barracks at Longstreet, I didn't care. I took advantage of the rain shutting down my work area to go see more of the Jamboree, and only came back when most places got shutdown. Then we just chilled in the barracks. 2005. I was actually looking forward to rain to cool things off. Again, I was in the barracks at Longstreet, so didn't worry about flooding, etc. But while we finally got some rain, it really didn't seem to help, as in past years. 2010, I expect to again be in the barracks at Longstreet.

rmeints- from your comments I wonder if your course was run properly. WB can be presented in one of 2 ways: 1 week or 2 3-day weekends. The schedule for both is set down in the manuals. No one should feel 'rushed' if doing the 2 weekend vs the week version. Also, the first weekend the participants aren't supposed to do any cooking. This should all be done by the QM staff. Only during the 2nd weekend do the participants cook. This is all tied in to how the course is supposed to be delivered. Having the participants do their own cooking would cut into the scheduled time, and may have been why you felt rushed.

"I applied thru the national site for staff a while ago, and am still waiting to hear if I have been selected or not." FWIW. Some people have already been told they have a position. Most councils should have approved staff apps about a month ago (mine did). I get the impress a lot of councils weren't doing anything, and National apparently had to put the word out to councils to approve (or not). I think most regions shortly there after approved them and they've moved on to National. Some people may already have a job lined up, due to being involved with different groups. Hence why some people have already been approved. Same may be so with people with certain skills. I am supposed to already have a position, but just got an email from National that they have no idea if I do or not, and asked what my org is and who our chair is (which, AFAIK, they should have known for several months). If you don't get picked for your first job, they move down the line for your other choices. So if you don't get one of your first choices, there is always a chance of getting another position. But you might not hear until six months out or so. Happened with me at the 97 Jamboree. Was finally dumped into the Trading Post staff and offered a position, but then my jerk of a boss wouldn't give me the time off.

The afore mentioned Quartermasters store is the one I was alluding to. Some very nice items. If you're ever in Cimarron, there is a store in town that carries a wide range of WB totem items. If you're at PTC and take the Wednesday bus tour, they'll take you there.

BW's solution is a good one for those wanting to 'wear' their WB Patrol patch 'on' their uniform. You can also get very nice wooden WB nametag with your totem on them as well. At least in my council, we give participants the patrol patch with a safety pin, so they understand that they pin the patch on their uniform, with the understanding that it's only for the course and is not sewn on (tho you always have those that don't get the 'message').

"Unless he or she needed that last month to complete a rank or award they would likey choose to end their youth career at the end of the current charter rather than go one month into the new one, or remain a youth for another 11-months. (such is the nature of growing-up)" Please note, advancement ends at 21. Being on the charter doesn't over rule this. I verified this with the people at National. The members of the National Venturing Cabinet can not turn 21 during their term of office. Candidate who may turn 21 during their term can not even be considered.

FWIW- the 2 councils in my area have their contingent fees at $2200.

Not aware of a Jamboree-L list this time around. There is a Yahoo Group, however (Nationalbsajamboree2010). Most people on it seem to be staffers or future staffers. And there is the Jamboleader website: http://www.jamboleader.org/ A great source of info last time. (tho with National's Jamboree website this time, maybe they'll do it better themselves).

Here are the youth qualifications from the 2005 Jamboree: Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts must be at least First Class Scouts. They must have completed the sixth grade or be at least 12 years of age by July 1, 2005, but not have reached their 18th birthday by August 3, 2005.

In Boy Scouts & Varsity Scouts, you are a youth until 18, after 18 you are an adult. In the OA and Venturing, you are a youth until 21, after 21 you are an adult. Overall, the 18-21 age group is kind of a gray area. Youth in some programs, adult in another. Only certain adult positions are open to this age group. At NOAC (National OA Conferences), we have to do housing in these 4 groups: boys under 18 boys 18-21 adult males 21+ adult females The council camp you were at was probably operating under Boy Scout rules, and treated anyone over 18 as adults. Probably a good idea when attending out of council camps to ensure they are following Venturing rules and not Boy Scout rules. At a minimum, they should have put people in 3 groups (under 18, 18-21, 21+).

FWIW. I'm involved with a couple of councils. Council #1. Nothing on their main website about Jamboree. Nothing in their on-line newsletter on Jamboree. There IS an page on their website which says the council has 4 troops, and had info on the cost. No announcement as to the leadership, but DO say that 5 patrols (of 16) are full. Full info on how to register but as yet no big push for it, tho there is a promo meeting in October. They did finally approve my staff application about a month ago. Council #2. Someting on their main website about Jamboree (but you have to scroll down), and a quick blurb on the 4 Jamboree scoutmasters (but nothing on their assistants). They do have a council form and do give the cost for the Jamboree contingent. However, they seem to think that Venturers can signup for Jamboree (they can't. You must be registered in a troop or team to go). Nothing in latest council newsletter. So hopefully that will give you some idea where I think most councils should be: * cost should be set. * adult leaders should have been picked. * youth should start getting their apps in, and some should already be signed up. I would think that a big push should begin soon, and really ramp up by the Spring.

"I can't speak to any rules about repeatedly visiting the Jamboree. No one was keeping track of that sort of thing. (Although you do need to show ID to get onto the military base) I do know that there used to be only one or two days when visitors were allowed, but they have lifted that rule, allowing visitors pretty much the entire time." National uses tour permits to control those wanting to visit the jamboree as a unit. I've been attending NJs since about 1981, and recall visitors visiting all the time during the jamboree. I am not aware of anything preventing visitors bringing food in. But I've never been a visitor, only a participant (once) and staff (several times). "I thought the next one was going to be in 2014, not 2013." I thought so too, but I've been hearing things on-line that lead me to believe it will be in 2013. Partly, its due to restoring the gap between National and World Jamborees. Our move to having it in 2010, means the WJ is the next year (2011). Bringing it in a year will help with the next WJ (2015), as well as our plans to host the 2019 WJ (to be held at our new Jamboree site). "Although they are going to be moving it away from AP Hill, I understand they are looking at keeping it in the Mid-Atlantic area and are considering one or more sites in Virginia." I have no idea what sites they are looking at nor were they are located. While they've stated the basic criteria, they've given no further info. We'll know when they make the announcement. Would be nice to know sometime soon, but have no idea how long the process will take or where they are in things.

This is based on things I've heard in the past. First off, you seem to be aware that you can't camp nearby and visit the whole time. That's a big no-no. I know there are rules regarding camping nearby and visiting the jamboree. Not sure about any restrictions about distance from the jamboree, but believe there is a restriction about how long you stay. I think the main point of such policies is to prevent scouts (or their leaders) from avoiding being official jamboree participants and just camping nearby the whole time and visiting. But as you are only doing that a couple of days, I think you're ok. Don't let your cubs think that visiting the Jamboree entitles them to wear the Jamboree emblem. The last couple of jamborees they've had a separate 'visitor emblem' (usually a different border) that could be worn in the temporary emblem location. Don't let your cubs think they can participate in the activities at the Jamboree. Activities are for the participants. They can certainly visit and see the sites (including the shows), but can't participate. You seem to be aware of this, but want to be sure. FWIW, it appears the next National Jamboree will be in 2013 at the new location, where ever that will be. So if they will be old enought to attend that one, its something to bring up. (next one will probably be in 2017 I believe)

I would say don't be worried right now. From what I can tell in my area, the local council's haven't yet made any announcement regarding National Jamboree. While I would think they would be figuring out who will be the adult leaders, I've heard nothing. I think in most councils that's what's going on now. I haven't heard of any push regarding getting youth signed up for Jamboree around here. Nor have I heard cost. I would have thought that sometime in the fall, announcements of the adult leadership would be made, and maybe in the spring the big push to get youth signups would begin. You council should at a minimum be able to tell you: when will you decide the adult leadership, and more importantly, when will you be deciding on youth participants, and how much will it cost and when will it be announced.

National policy for sometime has been that staff/adult leaders can't have their 21st birthday during National Jamboree. This is because they go from being youth (under 21) to adult (21 and over), and they don't want this. Hence the age requirements for staff and adult leader is such that you have to be 20 and under during the entire jamboree or 21 and older during the entire jamboree.

From the Insignia Guide: "Boy Scout junior leaders who have completed troop junior leader training and den chiefs who have completed the den chief training conference may wear the Trained Leader emblem beneath their badge of office." "Note: The Trained Leader emblem may be worn only in connection with the emblem of office for which training has been completed." The current Troop Leader Training is what is being refered to as 'troop junior leader training'.

Also, if the boy no longer holds a POR, he does not wear a trained patch. Trained patches are only worn in conjunction with the office patch for which one has taken training for. There really is no 'catch all' youth training. Youth take their position-specific training thru the troop-run Troop Leader Training course.

"I think your right about the USR. Does it follow a traditional Scouting program?" The purpose of USR is to provide the traditional Rover program within the US, since the BSA dropped Rovers back in the 1960s. There are no intention of providing any programs below that level. Probably 90% or more of the USR membership are active BSA Scouters, btw. "Sorry, how could I forget WAGGS. Probably because here in the UK we know them as Girl Guides." WAGGGS. World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. In the US its Girl Scouts (GSUSA).

I'm a member of the BSA and the US Rovers. I think USR is part of the WIFS.

AFAIK, the NYLT Scoutmaster IS Course Director! The idea is you have ONE NYLT course with ONE NYLT Troop. The NYLT CD serves as the Scoutmaster, same as the Wood Badge Course Director is the WB Scoutmaster.

"Then again if they make the CS numbers navy and White, they can then bring back Sea Scout numbers! " Actually, the Sea Scout numbers never went away. You can still get them from National Supply.

Some troops have a troop tradition of presenting all the Eagle Scouts with something. As these are your first Eagles, now's the change to start a tradition. One I've heard of is a special troop Eagle neckerchief. I've heard of Eagles being given NESA Life memberships, various eagle items from the scout catalog, etc. The Scout Catalog has many things appropriate for Eagle Scouts. Take a look.

"There really should be some prerequisites and time in grade requirements before going to Wood Badge. "A friend is a DL and just registered as a ASM this summer when one son crossed into Boy Scouts. He hasn't done any Boy Scout Leader Training yet but is trained in his primary position of DL. "He's struggling and will survive but I think that it would be easier going if he finished Boy Scout leader training and maybe spent a year with his son's troop." You'll get no argument from me on that point. I think having both your basic training under your belt and about 6mo-1 year in position would be better before going to WB. Sadly, if you mention that concept to others they get bent out of shape and think you're trying to bring back the old days of 'elitist WB' and the like (when you had to wait years before you could get an invite). To me its more along the lines of 'take some training, put it to use, repeat': take fast start, put it to use, take basic training, put it to use, maybe take some supplemental training, put it to use, take WB, put it to use, take some more supplemental training, put it use, etc.

Fuuuny. Reminds me of a recent discussion I had via email with someone from the Venturing Division (before they got rid of), where I was pointing out some errors in some documents. As I usually have to be my own editor for my own documents, I try to be fairly careful. He was more lax about it, because he figured the copy editors at National would catch it. Uh huh.