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GSMC Scouting Blog
Welcome to the Great Smoky Mountain Council Scouting Blog. Discussions on this blog will be limited to scouting issues, topics, and information. Views expressed are those of the authors. This is not an official GSMC site.
Welcome to the Great Smoky Mountain Council Scouting Blog. Discussions on this blog will be limited to scouting issues, topics, and information. Views expressed are those of the authors. This is not an official GSMC site.
News around the Scouting Blogs - Jambo 2013
It seems my life has been so busy that I have been neglecting this blog. For that, I am sorry. I'll try to do better. After all, this is the 100th Anniversary year and there is plenty to write about.
Today's topic is the National Jamboree and no, not the 2010 National Jamboree beginning in about two weeks, but the 2013 Jamboree. As you may have read here and on other Scouting sites, the National Jamboree will be moving to a permanent site in West Virginia called The Summit. It is over 10,000 acres that will be developed as a Jambo site, a new high adventure site and an Eastern leader training site. The site is being developed with the help of a generous gift of $50 million dollars from the Bechtel Family Foundation.
The latest chatter on the Scouting Blogs suggests that the three year window may be a little small to build the infrastructure necessary for the site. When you think about all the years that have gone into the development of the Fort AP Hill site, you have to scratch your head and wonder how they could think it could be done in three years. The word out there now is that the jamboree site will not be ready for 2013.
Why is the 2013 date so important? Remember the 2010 Jamboree was changed so it would coincide with the 100th Anniversary Celebration. There was a five year span instead of the usual four years. Why not just make it 2014 and keep it on a four year cycle from then on? That is a good thought but there are a couple of other fairly large events to consider. The National Order of the Arrow Conference or NOAC is held two years on even years. That way the Jamboree is never in direct conflict, except for this year. NOAC was changed to 2009 so it was not in direct conflict with the 2010 Jamboree.
The other major event is the World Jamboree. We have less control over the World Jamboree. With the National Jamboree occurring in 2010 instead of 2009, the World Jamboree hits the next year 2011. That leaves very little time to promote, and more importantly, to pay for an expensive international trip. So it makes sense to go back to the 2013 date, even if it squeezes the resources a bit.
So, with all that said, what is going to happen with the 2013(?) National Jamboree. I had read earlier that going back to Fort AP Hill was not an option. That is evidently not true. It appears that the Boy Scouts have signed an option to come back to The Hill one more time. That has been publicly confirmed by Jim Horner, project coordinator for the National Scout Jamboree. That would be a logical thing to do and would also give them more time to develop the Summit site and work out the kinks.
The second option would split the Jamboree into an Eastern and a Western site, with the Eastern site being the Summit. That creates a new set of problems in creating the infrastructure for the Western site for one use. The staff would have to be nearly doubled to cover both sites and there would be little to gain except less travel time for Western councils. But it could happen.
The National Council is not commenting at this time. They are going to see if it is feasible to complete the Summit. I am not a betting man but if I were, I would not put a nickel on the site being ready. After all, we don't even know how much it will cost to built out the site and if that Bechtel gift will even cover it. They may still be out raising money for the project in 2013. (What am I saying? Of course they will be raising money for the project in 2013. This is the Boy Scouts!) There are still too many unanswered questions
...
Today's topic is the National Jamboree and no, not the 2010 National Jamboree beginning in about two weeks, but the 2013 Jamboree. As you may have read here and on other Scouting sites, the National Jamboree will be moving to a permanent site in West Virginia called The Summit. It is over 10,000 acres that will be developed as a Jambo site, a new high adventure site and an Eastern leader training site. The site is being developed with the help of a generous gift of $50 million dollars from the Bechtel Family Foundation.
The latest chatter on the Scouting Blogs suggests that the three year window may be a little small to build the infrastructure necessary for the site. When you think about all the years that have gone into the development of the Fort AP Hill site, you have to scratch your head and wonder how they could think it could be done in three years. The word out there now is that the jamboree site will not be ready for 2013.
Why is the 2013 date so important? Remember the 2010 Jamboree was changed so it would coincide with the 100th Anniversary Celebration. There was a five year span instead of the usual four years. Why not just make it 2014 and keep it on a four year cycle from then on? That is a good thought but there are a couple of other fairly large events to consider. The National Order of the Arrow Conference or NOAC is held two years on even years. That way the Jamboree is never in direct conflict, except for this year. NOAC was changed to 2009 so it was not in direct conflict with the 2010 Jamboree.
The other major event is the World Jamboree. We have less control over the World Jamboree. With the National Jamboree occurring in 2010 instead of 2009, the World Jamboree hits the next year 2011. That leaves very little time to promote, and more importantly, to pay for an expensive international trip. So it makes sense to go back to the 2013 date, even if it squeezes the resources a bit.
So, with all that said, what is going to happen with the 2013(?) National Jamboree. I had read earlier that going back to Fort AP Hill was not an option. That is evidently not true. It appears that the Boy Scouts have signed an option to come back to The Hill one more time. That has been publicly confirmed by Jim Horner, project coordinator for the National Scout Jamboree. That would be a logical thing to do and would also give them more time to develop the Summit site and work out the kinks.
The second option would split the Jamboree into an Eastern and a Western site, with the Eastern site being the Summit. That creates a new set of problems in creating the infrastructure for the Western site for one use. The staff would have to be nearly doubled to cover both sites and there would be little to gain except less travel time for Western councils. But it could happen.
The National Council is not commenting at this time. They are going to see if it is feasible to complete the Summit. I am not a betting man but if I were, I would not put a nickel on the site being ready. After all, we don't even know how much it will cost to built out the site and if that Bechtel gift will even cover it. They may still be out raising money for the project in 2013. (What am I saying? Of course they will be raising money for the project in 2013. This is the Boy Scouts!) There are still too many unanswered questions
[July 9th, 2010, Friday 08:00 AM]
Highlights
Stecore Syndication Feed - Syndicate Your Sitecore Solution
Stecore Syndication Feed - Syndicate Your Sitecore Solution
Create a video for a chance to win two AEDs for your troop!
Our safety partner, Cardiac Science, is strategically placing 32 defibrillators throughout the Jamboree - but only 22 will go home with them. Winning is easy.
...
[June 11th, 2010, Friday 11:00 AM]
2010 Annual Meeting
2010 Annual Meeting - May 26-28, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. Register online now.
...
[December 18th, 2009, Friday 10:00 AM]
Cub Scouts 2010 - Changing the delivery of the Cub Scout program.
Cub Scouts 2010 is a piloted and successful method of delivering the existing Cub Scout program that is handbook-based and focuses on den activities leading to youth advancement and higher retention.
...
[December 4th, 2009, Friday 11:00 AM]
100th Anniversary Kick-off
Join the Nationwide 100th Anniversary Audiocast Kick-Off Rally on December 10. RSVP today for a chance to win once-in-a-lifetime prizes.
...
[December 4th, 2009, Friday 11:00 AM]
Cubcast - Boy Scouts of America
Cubcast is an audio podcast featuring a variety of how-to and information topics for Cub Scout leaders and parents.
[LISTEN]With a great team of volunteers, Sheryl Oakman was instrumental in rolling out the new Cub Scout delivery method. She has held numerous positions in her 23 years as a volunteer and graciously spent time with us to go over her ideas for the next core value: responsibility.
...
[LISTEN]In one of the most popular Cubcasts of the year, the secret to selling lots of popcorn is revealed! Join us as we talk with Doug Dent, vice president of Marketing with Trails End. He is also an assistant den leader in the Sagamore Council in Kokomo, Indiana. Lets get popping, shall we?
...
[LISTEN]This is the first Cubcast to address ways to enhance the new Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide! Lucia Cronin serves on the National Program Content Committee among her other Cub Scout activities. She helps explain the new guide with ideas for the first core value: Cooperation.
...
Cubcast is an audio podcast featuring a variety of how-to and information topics for Cub Scout leaders and parents.
Responsibility
[LISTEN]With a great team of volunteers, Sheryl Oakman was instrumental in rolling out the new Cub Scout delivery method. She has held numerous positions in her 23 years as a volunteer and graciously spent time with us to go over her ideas for the next core value: responsibility.
[August 31st, 2010, Tuesday 22:00 PM]
Popcorn!
[LISTEN]In one of the most popular Cubcasts of the year, the secret to selling lots of popcorn is revealed! Join us as we talk with Doug Dent, vice president of Marketing with Trails End. He is also an assistant den leader in the Sagamore Council in Kokomo, Indiana. Lets get popping, shall we?
[August 31st, 2010, Tuesday 22:00 PM]
Cooperation
[LISTEN]This is the first Cubcast to address ways to enhance the new Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide! Lucia Cronin serves on the National Program Content Committee among her other Cub Scout activities. She helps explain the new guide with ideas for the first core value: Cooperation.
[July 31st, 2010, Saturday 22:00 PM]