RememberSchiff

The US contingent determined it was too risky to have "participants on the (Jamboree) site for any period of time, so Scouts will not be bussed in for (Jamboree )closing ceremonies or any other activities. " https://www.forbes.com/sites/heatherwishartsmith/2023/08/05/be-prepared-boy-scout-innovation-in-a-time-of-crisis/?sh=16db93ee170c

In an emergency meeting with parents Saturday morning, BSA Chief Scout Executive Roger Mosby announced that the decision to pull the USA Contingent from the Jamboree site and return to Camp Humphreys was more about sanitary conditions than heat or rain. BSA International Commissioner Lou Poulson noted that “the decision didn’t come lightly or easily. We spent extensive time with the U.S. Embassy and Consul General” and it came down to there being no choice. Along with the USA Contingent’s medical director Dr. Jeff Myers, Poulson highlighted the reasons for the USA Contingent’s departure: · Oppressive heat. While shade is being brought, it is “too little, too late, and heat is the foundation of what drives other things.” · Food supply. There have been problems with proper food storage and the number of calories provided to participants. While food supply has improved, it is not enough to alleviate concerns that can result from heat stress and low calorie intake. · Sanitation. Poulson described “terrible, deplorable conditions,” to include uncleaned toilets, showers with fecal matter, and the risk of health issues that could result. He added, “if this site were in the U.S., it would be declared a health emergency.” Organizers previously announced that cleaning staff were increased from 70 for the entire 40,000-person site to more than 500. · Youth protection concerns. Insufficient shower facilities were causing youth and adults to share shower facilities, in violation of BSA’s Youth Protection Policy. · Weather. Oppressive heat but also flooding (which UK contingent noted) . Bands of a typhoon are expected to hit the site soon, and torrential rain is expected starting Sunday. While ditches have been dug to channel runoff, USA Contingent leadership does not believe the site will be able to handle the rainfall. · Medical facilities. Host country planners expected 500 patients per day but have seen between 5,000 and 10,000 patients per day. Isolation for participants diagnosed with covid were not initially available, and there were no provisions for testing of influenza. Further, referrals to orthopedic and other necessary specialists are not being made, and the organization has unable to track U.S. citizens who were sent to local hospitals for treatment beyond what the Jamboree medical tent can provide. More at Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/heatherwishartsmith/2023/08/05/be-prepared-boy-scout-innovation-in-a-time-of-crisis/?sh=16db93ee170c

Interesting to compare online information and discussion. BSA: https://wsj2023.us/ https://www.facebook.com/WSJ2023USA UK Scouting Association: https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/international-scouts-and-events/international-events/wsj/ <---WELL DONE! https://www.facebook.com/ukcontingent/

US Contingent $6100/participant: "The USA contingent is planning for 790 people: 14 units of 36 youth and 4 unit leaders (560 total) 200 International Service Team (IST) members (will these adults continue their volunteer work at Jambo site?) 30 Contingent Management Team (CMT) members The timing of refund payments would be dependent on funds returned to the USA Contingent and/or if applicable, insurance claims paid to the USA Contingent. Additional details are available in the event disclosure section of the jamboree registration process." https://wsj2023.us/faq/ UK Contingent 3,495.00BP ~ $4456/participant: "4.7 In circumstances that the Event is cancelled for reasons of force majeure, such as premature cancellation of the Event or a reasonably foreseeable impossibility of the UK Contingent entering South Korea in order to attend, We will use all reasonable endeavours to refund the highest possible proportion of any payments made by You to Us, but this may not be the full Fees paid. " https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/international-scouts-and-events/international-events/wsj/25wsj-resources/act-together-uk-contingent-terms-and-conditions/ https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/international-scouts-and-events/international-events/wsj/about-the-jamboree/the-big-reveal-fees-and-funding-for-25wsj/ IMHO, I doubt the WSJ Host Committee will close the Jamboree early or issue refunds as, so far, nearly 85% of registrants have remained. As for refunds from a Contingent's insurance or surplus funds? Maybe a discount for a future HA trek?

https://www.facebook.com/WSJ2023USA Dear World Scout Jamboree Parents and International Service Team Members: On Friday, August 4, 2023, the US Contingent to the World Scout Jamboree has made the difficult decision that we will be departing the 25th World Scout Jamboree site early because of ongoing extreme weather and resulting conditions at the jamboree site. While we regret the need for the early departure, the move ensures the safety of our Scouts and alleviates pressure on the jamboree site services and infrastructure. The US Contingent will have a regular day of jamboree program on August 5, then move to nearby U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys (Camp Humphreys) on August 6 and remain there until August 11. Afterwards, Scouts will resume their planned departure and activities. The health and safety of our Scouts is our number one priority. On-site leadership has been monitoring weather and site conditions closely and has decided to leave the site early out of safety concerns. On-site leadership is in continuous communication with the World Organization of the Scout Movement and our South Korean hosts. Our hosts have engaged all levels of their government to support the jamboree and ensure a safe, quality experience for our youth and their leaders. Unfortunately, the extreme heat continues to stress the facilities and infrastructure of this site. The Boy Scouts of America is grateful to the Korea Scout Association, Korean Government and the World Organization of the Scout Movement for their efforts in the face of this historic climate event. Thank you for your well wishes and notes of care and concern. We will provide more detail on the activities that will be provided for our scouts as they are developed. We will continue to provide you with regular updates. Sincerely, Lou Paulson BSA International Commissioner Brad Valdyke BSA Head of Contingent

SANTA FE, N.M., Aug. 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Scouting Settlement Trust, the fund established to compensate the 82,000 survivors of sexual abuse who filed claims against the Boy Scouts of America, today announced the launch of its online portal to begin the processing of those claims. Letter from the Settlement Trustee (Aug. 4, 2023): Processing Portal Launched for Initial Claims www.scoutingsettlementtrust.com Press release: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/scouting-settlement-trust-launches-portal-to-begin-processing-abuse-claims-301893625.html

Foreign embassies in Korea are on high alert as tens of thousands of young participants at the World Scout Jamboree ― taking place on the reclaimed (treeless) tidal flat of Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province ― are grappling with an unrelenting heat wave and poor facility management. According to event organizers, 28 participants have tested positive for the Covid virus as of Thursday. About 700 American Boy Scouts have traveled to South Korea for the Jamboree. The U.S. Embassy in Seoul said it is in close communication with the event's organizers, Boy Scouts of America Leadership and U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) to ensure the safety of the U.S. contingent. On request from the Jamboree planning committee, the U.S. group arrived one day later and spent their first night at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, a U.S. Army Garrison. The news from the site, in Korea’s southwest, is a jolt for a nation renowned for organizing international events — including a previous World Scout Jamboree in 1991 which also had its bad weather problems. More at Sources: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2023/08/120_356384.html https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/aug/4/south-korea-scrambles-world-scout-jamboree-gatheri/ https://www.voanews.com/a/south-korea-scrambles-to-aid-scout-jamboree-amid-august-swelter/7210532.html

Great, timely speech. IMHO I think Bear and 40,000+ scouts could use a dip in the neighborhood pool.

Update Aug 4, 2023: The BBC has been speaking to parents of children at the campsite in SaeManGeum. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, they said that no activities were taking place due to the heat, and some people with specific dietary requirements were not being catered for. One parent from the north-east of England, whose 16-year-old daughter is at the camp, told the BBC the trip was meant to be a "great life experience", but instead turned into a "survival mission". ... Scouts from Britain, the largest contingent, said on Friday that they were moving to hotels in the capital Seoul for the rest of their stay, hoping to alleviate the pressure on the site. "The UK volunteer team has worked extremely hard with the organisers, for our youth members and adult volunteers to have enough food and water to sustain them, shelter from the unusually hot weather, and toilets and washing facilities appropriate for an event of this scale," UK Scouts said. Sources: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66407392 https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-koreas-yoon-orders-water-trucks-buses-heatwave-hit-scout-jamboree-2023-08-04/

The British group of more than 4,000, the largest in attendance, is moving to hotels amid 35C temperatures, the Scout Association confirmed. The South Korean government said it is sending water and medics to the site. A statement from the UK's largest scouting organisation said its group will be moved into hotels "over the next two days" in a bid to "alleviate the pressure on the site overall". More at source: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66407392

2023 National Membership Fee Details, courtesy of Greater New York Councils https://nycscouting.org/membershipupdate/

On occasion (two super moons this month!), one can motivate a lesser performing council by example of a Council which has a current BALOO approved camp sites list or just an approved campsite list directly accessible from their website. Mountaineer Council (WV) https://macbsa.org/camping/approved-campsites/ National Capital Area Council (MD) https://www.ncacbsa.org/approved-camp-sites/ Cherokee Area Council (TN) https://cherokeeareabsa.doubleknot.com/cub-scout-camps/baloo-approved-camps/45610 Baltimore Area Council (MD) which also includes a new Pack Site Approval Request Form https://broadcreekbsa.org/about/approved-campsites/ Another $0.02,

Rangers at Fort Moultrie National Historical Park.nominated a Cub Scout (age 6) for the 2022 George and Helen Hartzog Award for outstanding volunteer work. "Hannah Murray (age 6) is a reoccurring youth Volunteer-In-Parks who works at Fort Moultrie doing physical/ landscaping projects. The site needs consistent maintenance and upkeep due to weeds and invasive species in the historic fort. This is a difficult task as it must be done by hand and can be compounded when experiencing the summer heat. Hannah continually visits the Fort to help staff complete this necessary work. This is a never-ending battle that she looks forward to tackling and she often looks to recruit other children to help her. Hannah is a Cub Scout who not only loves working to improve the Fort but, serves as an ambassador to the park as well, talking with others her age to come experience the park. She comes to the park often to participate in events like National Public Lands Day and Park Day to volunteer and give back, improving the historic landscape at the Fort’s grounds. For her birthday, Hannah elected to come to Fort Moultrie to weed the parade ground with staff. The Cub Scouts organization recognized Hannah as Cub Scout of the Year in 2022 because of her efforts in recruiting new youth volunteers to the park and encouraging others to learn about their local history. She is one of the youngest recipients to ever be nominated and is the only nominee from the National Park Service Southeast region to win the award." Scout Salute More at Sources: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/2022-george-and-helen-hartzog-regional-awards-for-outstanding-volunteer-service.htm#impact-youth https://www.berkeleyobserver.com/2023/07/27/moncks-corner-girl-wins-national-park-service-award/

Exact grounding location unknown. https://www.nps.gov/viis/planyourvisit/virgin-islands-marine-visitor-use-information.htm

Strongly agree. IMHO: 1. There should be some local water quality consideration in the planning. The Eagle Reef project interested me in using oysters to filter sea water. Say the local water has heavy metal contamination, do we want to add more contaminated fish into the food chain (bird and mammal predators) before addressing the water pollution? 2. I like the concept of man-made reefs/nesting areas where none exist, but with natural materials say a bundle of tree branches. There have been pass posts of using Christmas trees. PVC worries me. My local community is considering a waterway species restoration project with the thought-limiting-carrot of state grants and federal funding . The only water qualities that will be monitored will be pH and temperature (like we did in 6th grade with our goldfish). So breed more varieties of toxic fish, shellfish - only consume 1 a month. . My $0.02,

Firefly Drone Show, as I understand some 200 drones were used at Jambo. ( video attached)

All safe no injuries. Environmental hazard removal and incident investigation in progress. Coast Guard received a call at 2:11 p.m. on Monday from a Good Samaritan who observed “what appeared to be a vessel grounding of a monohull sailing vessel with white sails,” said U.S. Coast Guard Public Affairs Officer Ricardo Castrodad. The vessel was reported to be carrying nine people on board — two adults and seven minors, who were Boy Scouts. A Good Samaritan vessel was able to disembark the minors and one of the adults, who were transported to Sapphire Beach Marina. “A Coast Guard asset arrived on scene and couldn’t get close to the vessel because it could run aground, so another vessel was able to disembark the other adult and transfer him to our boat, then our Coast Guard vessel brought him ashore, also to Sapphire Beach Marina,” said Castrodad. Hmm, Google Map does not have a option for boating direction and distance from Johnson's Reef to Sea Base, St. Thomas, Source: https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/boat-with-boy-scouts-aboard-runs-aground-on-johnson-s-reef/article_869d1aee-749a-5ab1-a2d4-61350cc48aef.html Scout Salute to a Good Samaritan and the Coast Guard

CBS News Scott Pelley was the last Leadership Speaker as Jamboree came to a close. As I understand, the large closing ceremony where he had been scheduled to speak was cancelled due to heat, so he spoke earlier for nearly an hour at a smaller morning gathering in the amphitheater. “I was a scout when I was a kid, of course, Troop 505 in Lubbock, Texas,” said Pelley. “What I wanted to tell the Scouts today was that the values in the Scout Law are what guided me throughout my life and that they could count on those values to guide them, too.” Mr. Pelley told stories of those who impacted him like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner Nadia Murad. “The one tenet that I wanted to emphasize today from the scout law is Brave,” Pelley smiled. “It has applications in our national life, in our personal life, and the lives of our families to be brave enough to do the right thing, to be brave enough to reach out and understand other people. That’s the one thing I hope they took out of here.” Source: https://www.wvnstv.com/national-scout-jamboree/scott-pelley-final-speaker-as-jamboree-festivities-wind-down/

I could cite examples of overcoming fear, particularly water or first over-nighter, but when one of my scouts tells his Mom, Dad, big brother, ..."I got this." that is THE moment for me.

Oh bother, we need a smart scout or two to convert a cellphone into a badge that should make all happy. Call it, I dunno, a Comm Badge. Make it so.

A "Golden Eagle" distinction is earned by a scout who accomplishes the highest scouting achievement in both Girl Scouts of America - the Gold Award - and Scouts BSA - the Eagle Rank. ... While Logan Julia Seeley cherished her experiences in the Girl Scouts, witnessing her brother's BSA journey inspired her to pursue the skills and ranks offered by BSA. While in the eighth grade, the opportunity arose for female scouts to work towards Eagle Rank and Logan embraced the challenge of dual enrolling and set her sights on becoming a Golden Eagle. ... On May 11 Logan underwent her final challenge - the board of review - and proudly earned the esteemed "Golden Eagle" distinction in the East Carolina Council. https://www.newbernsj.com/news/logan-julia-seeley-becomes-first-ever-golden-eagle-in-bsas-east-carolina-council/article_1cdf537c-a26a-5ec8-9867-566cdf31fd3e.html

"Paul Kramer may be found at the Jamboree Museum, where he preserves and teaches the history of Scouting and the Jamboree itself to visitors...He has only missed two Jamborees in his lifetime." Rest of story at source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/long-time-jamboree-attendee-says-scouts-is-about-helping-others/ar-AA1emdiJ "Kramer said he hopes people will remember that Scouting started as a way of teaching young people to help others and to do the right thing."

Update July26, 2023: Today, a state appeals court has denied a new trial for Thomas Murphy, 62, who was convicted of killing Scout Andrew McMorris and injuring two other teens in 2018. The four-judge panel of the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division in Brooklyn upheld the conviction Wednesday, ruling that each of Murphy’s claims is “without merit.” Murphy's attorney said that his client will now seek to have the case reviewed by the New York State Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court. Source: https://www.newsday.com/long-island/crime/boy-scouts-death-thomas-murphy-conviction-pi312pl9

This video was filmed a year ago, John Shell's Eagle Project was to deploy 50 of the 2’x2’x3’ mini reefs across coastal Alabama. "Shell deployed the first reefs for the Eagle Reef project under the piers at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab." "After six months, each reef is loaded with filter feeders (oysters, barnacles, etc.), and it will filter and clean 10,000,000 gallons of water per year and attracts fish to your wharf. It will also provide habitat to grow 500 fish and crabs annually. Each reef comes preassembled and is tied between four pilings under a dock or wharf. It floats up and down with the tide. " Update July, 2023: Partnerships have been established and more than 175 mini-reefs have been deployed. An Idea Formed: "We were fishing off the bank, and we weren't catching any fish. I wasn't used to this because my dad has a boat and we go out fishing multiple times a year, and we usually always catch fish," Scout John Shell said. He said he thinks everyone should be able to visit the Gulf Coast and enjoy the experience of catching a fish, which was what inspired the creation of this project. Shell conducted online research, stumbling upon ocean habitats such as reefs. While these reefs contribute to the growth of barnacles and oysters, it is their ability to purify water that particularly captivated Shell's attention. What started out as a service project eventually became something bigger than the Eagle Scout envisioned. "If someone has a genuine idea and it's a good idea, people will rally behind it, as we see with this project," he said. Shell's original goal was to create 50 reefs, but with the help of support and donors, he raised $52,000 and deployed 175 reefs. This represents 1.5 to 2 billion gallons of water filtered annually, according to George Hunter, economic development manager for Spire Energy, a company that provides natural gas service along the coast. John's Eagle Project - The Eagle Reef takes wing... He partnered with Partners for Environmental Progress and the University of South Alabama. PEP is raising money and awareness from their memberships for cleaning the coastal waters and improving the fish populations. The University of South Alabama Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences will help with location identification, deploying, stocking and maintaining the reefs as well as monitor and testing the waters around them, which now plans to deploy 1,000 mini reefs on the Alabama coast. More at Sources: https://gulfcoastmedia.com/stories/eagle-scout-launches-reef-project-to-help-clean-gulf-waters,177111 https://www.wkrg.com/baldwin-county/usa-and-partners-for-environmental-progress-joining-eagle-reef-project/ https://theeaglereef.com/ https://pepmobile.org/the-eagle-reef/ https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/boy-scout-raises-52000-for-175-artificial-reefs-to-support-ocean-life-in-mobile-bay/ar-AA1e4fKT Scout Salute,

@MattR , this fella at Jambo appears to agree with you. Jamboree.mp4 Source: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvFxJIMp81b/