BSA Natl Jamboree
 

Some folks know I am in northern VA now on BSA Central Region Staff and I will show a few photos. I am doing the Bikathalon, a biking and riding event.

We have about 200 staff and about 9000 boys in our action event area, total about 5000 staff and 40,000 boys in the whole jamboree. Had an arena show today, usually the president appears but today Sec of Defense Gates came in his place as unfortunately Obama was too busy today taping an appearance with Oprah Winfrey. I understand he will not be here at all, first pres in a long time not to come.

Egyptian, Honduran, etc scouts are here also.


The cops meet every morning in front of what else, the donut shop.

A freind of mine and his asst leader had to stay in quarantine because one of their scouts got the 24 hr bug and the Va Dept of Health quarantined them.


The Bikathelon event is a timed riding and shooting event. Some boys are great shots and riders, others have never shot a gun. Then we had a blind scout and one of the guys put him on a bike and pushed him around the course and helped him aim . We are constantly reloading the pellet rifles , a 12 round wheel, and helping boys control breathing and aim point after riding hard. The targets are silver dopllar sized and at 25 feet. Easy to miss.

Great stuff Bruce. The future leaders of America... Teach 'em right!
It is wonderful to see the dedication of both the staff and the boys.

You didn't really expect to see this POTUS at the jamboree when he wouldn't make time to attend three other, equally important national events this year did you?

Bruce, I remember wonderful days at Fort A.P. Hill, then Camp A.P. Hill when I spent time there in the late sixties while employed by my Uncle. The good part was that I was close to home for weekend duty. Camp Hill was the staging area for those of us who were planning to protect the Nation's Capital from the liberal invaders in 1968.

I've heard a bunch of quail down here, Bill, if you have hunting privileges on post.

Dean, I'm sure that Oprah has a tight schedule for producing her shows. I've never seen one, I understand its some sort of women's daytime TV talk thing.

BSA Jamboree
 

I attended the 1950 Jamboree in Valley Forge. President Truman welcomed us, and General Eisenhower was our 4th of July speaker.

Best, Austin

Great Americans, Austin, of courage, ability, integrity and histories of achievement. However, Truman must not have been much of a politician because he didn't take the easy ways and was a direct, plain speaking person. And Eisenhower wasn't Ivy League educated, just a farm boy from Kansas who served his country in the Army.

I was at the 1980 Jamboree at Ft. AP Hill. Several of us were on staff at summer camp and took off right after camp ended. Couple of our buddies were on staff. We got there and got to play "stage security" for The Oak Ridge Boys. Great time!!!!!

Great pics

Francis, yes, there were weekend warriors at Camp Hill and in D.C. in 1968, but I was active Army and had real bullets in my rifle. We were put up at a women's dorm at Georgetown University and patrolled from M Street to Washington Circle or a little east, a very safe part of town, even during the riots. The weekend warriors, apparently without bullets, patrolled the bad part of town well north and east of the White House.

Has anyone at The Jambore ran into Destry? I think he would be found in the vendors area.

Roger

Roger, patch trading is a big deal with some here but no patch vendors and it is closely regulated. Adults cannot trade with boys, only adults, and it must be a one for one trade with no money exchanged. All adults must be active scouters and have applied many months ago, and be assigned a job.

T storm moved through a while back, our bike course is a mudhole so we cancelled this afternoon. Some tents down and wet. 97 degrees and high humidity. Sitting and sweating.

I was mistaken about Pres Obama and the Oprah show, turns out to be Whoopie Goldberg and Barbara Walters and some program called View. I'm told thats also some daytime show where women talk about how horrible their lives are and how they search for fulfillment, meaning and purpose. Anyway, off for a while and then on to help some of the kids.