FAQ

National Scout Jamboree 2010: Questions and Answers.

Scouts and parents often have questions about what it will be like on the tour and at the Jamboree

itself. Here are some of the ones that come up most frequently. You can count on having much

more detailed and current information in the months ahead, as the Jamboree gets closer and we

have more information from the National Jamboree Committee. Some of the information items

here may also be subject to change as new information is received. If you have a question not listed

here, please click on the Questions and Answers link on the left.

What uniforms and equipment are needed?

See the Jamboree personal equipment list, which is also posted on the this Jamboree website

(under forms). It is recommended that each Scout have two official Summer uniforms due to the heat

and activity levels. The Official Summer uniform shirt must be worn on tour, each day at

assembly and at major functions at the Jamboree such as the Arena shows; Official Scout shorts

must be worn every day of the entire trip, including each day at the Jamboree. The only

exception to Scout shorts is a bathing suit for aquatics events. For the most part, the uniform at

the Jamboree will be “Class B”. That is, Scout shorts, Scout Socks, and T-shirts with any Scout-related

patterns/insignia on them (or blank). Each Scout must purchase 2 class-B T-shirts unique to the

Troop , as well as a baseball style contingent cap. Extra contingent Tshirts

will be offered for sale.

Non-Scout related clothing, such as shirts or hats, are not permitted.

There is a new “Centennial” Scout uniform—Do I have to buy new Summer uniforms if I

already have a short sleeved uniform, scout shorts and scout socks?

No, you do not have to buy new uniforms if you already have them. If you have the “old style”

Summer uniform that is perfectly acceptable. But you will need two uniforms, to be sure. Some

Scouts “borrow” Summer uniform parts from brothers or friends in their home troops who aren’t

attending the Jamboree. Others with one short sleeve shirt decide to buy a new one just for the

Jamboree, to keep after as a souvenir with all of their Jamboree insignia and patches on it. One

thing to think about is that the Centennial supplex uniforms are much better suited to the high

heat and humidity of the Jamboree than the old cotton blend ones.

What will be “new” at the 2010 National Jamboree?

This will be BSA’s celebration of its 100th Anniversary. It will feature the finest that Scouting

has to offer in every way. The Opening and Closing Arena shows promise to be spectacular,

better than any shows before, and that is saying something! There will be a new Order of the

Arrow interactive show, “The Mysterium Compass”. Expanded pool facilities will be available

for swimming, in addition to scuba. There will be a brand new Arts and Sciences Expo. A big

time Mountain Boarding venue. A new trapshooting event. And all of the best from past

Jamborees, including the Action Centers, National Exhibits, Merit Badge Midway, OA Native

American Village, all of the aquatics events, rapelling towers, Brownsea Island, Boys’ Life, Fish

Hook Lake, and more.

What will the Scouts need in the way of equipment that is not provided?

See the personal equipment list. Especially needed are good boots/walking shoes; “flipflops”

or other light shoe for the showers; water bottles; sun block; rain gear; a light-weight

sleeping bag; and insect repellent. You will be spending very little time just “hanging out” in

the troop site, so just think of items that you would need on a long hike, but with a lot of fun

stops. A medium weight sleeping bag—rated 50 degrees or so, is recommended. In the early predawn

hours, it can get cool at the Jamboree, and even 50s feels cool when the day time temps are

in the 90s with high humidity.

What camping equipment will be provided?

Our Jamboree tents are 2 man A-frame tents (like those used at summer camp), which are

well suited to Jamboree conditions, including rains and winds, and staying dry inside.

Two Scouts share a tent. Cots will be provided. Each Scout will be provided with a large

duffel bag for gear as well as a day pack. It is a very good idea not to bring anything of special or

irreplaceable value, such as antique patch collections, or expensive cameras or electronics.

Each patrol will have a large dining fly, picnic table, stoves, chuck box, and all necessary

cooking and cleaning items.

Where will the Daniel Webster Council troops be located at the Jamboree?

There are 21 Jamboree Subcamps, organized by Region. Each of the Subcamps has roughly

2,000 “residents”. We will be located in Subcamp 1, a very good location, near the

from the Northeast Region headquarters. There will be a number of Daniel Webster Council

Scouters serving as staff in the Subcamp, so Scouts and leaders will see some familiar faces.

Where will we be staying on our tour prior to the Jamboree?

Our plan is to stay in dormitories at the University of Maryland. More details

will be provided as the date grows closer.

On the Tour of Washington, DC, will the Scouts just be set out on their own?

In Washington , we will be together as a group or in small groups, never

one Scout alone, to participate in activities. In exploring the monuments and museums on the

D.C. Mall, the Scouts will be free to travel with a buddy or buddies, subject to checking in at our

rendezvous locations during the day. The buddy system will always be observed, and during our

tour, Washington, D.C. will be populated with thousands of Scouts. Younger Scouts, and any

Scouts who wish, will be invited to travel in groups with the adult leaders to visit

the Mall monuments and museums, and of course we will have a great time together!

How much money should each Scout bring?

This is a personal decision. We recommend that Jamboree souvenirs be ordered ahead of

time and shipped to your home. But, Scouts always want to visit the trading post.

If the Scout is not a souvenir purchaser, $100-$200 should be an adequate amount of

discretionary spending money. If souvenirs are to be purchased on tour or at the Jamboree, more

spending money would be in order. It is strongly recommended that all but a small amount of

cash be provided in travelers’ checks, or in a debit card with a fixed dollar limit. For 2010 the

BSA will be offering a “value added” card that can be purchased in advance and used by Scouts

to make purchases at the Jamboree. There will be ATM machines located next to each of the

three Trading Post locations, and at other Jamboree sites, so an ATM card might also be

considered. Western Union money wire service is also available.

A comprehensive souvenir and equipment catalog will be mailed to

each Jamboree participant in January 2010, and most Jamboree souvenirs can be purchased by

mail in advance of the Jamboree, and delivered well before we leave for the trip. The catalog is

the best way to make sure that the Scout gets the souvenirs he wants, and reduces the need for

taking large amounts of spending money.

How will Troop and Patrol Assignments be made? Will I be able to be in a patrol with my

buddies from my home Troop?

The Jamboree Scoutmasters have already worked out the plan for assignments. Troop

and Patrol assignments were carefully made by the Jamboree Scoutmasters to ensure the maximum

diversity of Scouts, in terms of age, rank, and geography. The Jamboree is a very special, once in

a lifetime opportunity to meet and camp with Scouts from all over New Hampshire, and many lasting

friendships are made. It is also a special opportunity for each Scout to reach out and learn about

how Scouting is lived around the Daniel Webster Council. Diversity of Patrol and Troop

assignments is critically important for a good Jamboree experience. For these reasons, a Scout is

not likely to be in a Patrol with a Scout from his home troop. Troop and Patrol assignment

policy is actually intended to make sure that Scouts from the same home Troop are not in the

same Jamboree Patrol. However, the more Scouts attending from the same home troop, the

greater the likelihood that other Scouts from the same home troop will be in the same Jamboree

Troop. For the most part, Scouts are free to “buddy up” with their friends from their home Troop

to choose and participate in Jamboree activities each day, so as a practical matter, assignment to

different Troops and Patrols will not affect the Scout’s ability to do things with his friends from

home. Each of our Troops will be in the same Subcamp, a short walk apart if not right next door

to each other, so friends can meet up each day to enjoy the Jamboree. However, a Scout will be

missing a great deal if he does not take the Jamboree opportunity to make new friends and enjoy

their company as well.

What will we eat at the Jamboree?

Jamboree meals are provided in generous portions. The meals include fresh foods that

would be provided in any Summer Camp setting, or at home. Breakfast and Supper are served in

the Troop site at designated times, and each Patrol is present and dining together. Jamboree

lunches are available at a number of “kiosks” located around the Jamboree site, upon

presentation of a lunch ticket. They are refrigerated, and include a sandwich, a drink, fruit, a

snack and sometimes yogurt. The Jamboree site is vast, and Scouts have the freedom each day to

choose which activities and exhibits they wish to participate in, so you don’t need to carry lunch,

just stop at the nearest kiosk to pick it up when you are ready. Supper menus for Jamboree

include meals such as: Beef Stew; Hamburgers/Cheeseburgers; Lasagna; Chicken Breasts in

Gravy; Beef in Gravy; Chicken a la King; Salisbury Steak and Gravy; Hot Dogs; and Spaghetti

and Meatballs. The supper menus routinely include fresh vegetables, provided either for salad or

cooked. Breakfast menus included Cereal, juice, milk, pastries or muffins. On three of the

mornings, eggs with ham, sausage, or as omelets have been featured. In addition to the meals

that are provided as part of the fee, there are numerous snack bars around the Jamboree at which

other foods can be purchased, such as hamburgers/hotdogs/pizza/ice cream. The food provided

at the regular meals is in large quantities, and it is very good. There is no need to have to buy

food to supplement it, although the Scouts from time to time might visit the Snack Bars if they

choose. There is no refrigeration in the troop sites, but patrols are provided with a supply of ice

daily for water/drink coolers issued to each patrol.

What about special diets?

If you keep Kosher, as part of religious practice, arrangements are made to provide

Kosher meals. (We need to know, and make the arrangements in advance). If dietary restrictions

are observed upon health care providers’ orders, such as for food allergies, medical waiver must

be sought to attend the Jamboree. There is no vegetarian menu, and it is suggested that

arrangements be made in advance to provide non-perishable vegetarian items to supplement the

Jamboree menu. As noted, each Jamboree meal includes certain non-meat items, such as fruits,

vegetables, pasta, and rice. If you “just don’t eat” or like certain foods, such as eggs, chicken,

salad, or hot dogs, you are out of luck. No special foods will be provided. Again, there are

ample portions of everything, and if you don’t prefer an item on the menu, there is usually

something else to eat. The Jamboree menu and foods are designed to be able to promptly serve

large numbers of people at the designated times, so that the Scouts can make the most of

Jamboree activities, reducing time given to Troop “mess duty”. There just isn’t enough time to

tailor each meal to individual preference. The food is ample, it is good, and it serves most tastes

well.

What other things are prohibited?

Please check the Jamboree Code of Conduct. Tobacco products, alcohol, regulated drugs

without prescription are prohibited. Knives other than a standard folding pocket knife (less than

4" blade) are prohibited. Any prohibited items are immediately confiscated, and the Scout is

subject to disciplinary action, including immediate expulsion from the Jamboree. (We will call

parent or guardian to make arrangements to come and immediately bring the Scout home from

the Jamboree).

What things can be done in advance to best prepare for the Jamboree?

Active participation in your home troop, and our Contingent meetings and activities will

be the best preparation. This will also keep you “sharp” in remembering those items that we

always seem to forget for outings and wish that we had taken. Also, a regular program of modest

fundraising activity will be helpful for each Scout to earn spending money and to pay the

Jamboree fees. Youth leadership service is a terrific way to get a great deal out of the Jamboree

experience without missing any of the fun and adventure. If there are major items of personal

equipment that you need to get, such as uniforms, a sleeping bag, a daypack or boots, maybe

these can coincide with Birthday or Holiday presents. If you begin to get your personal

equipment and gear in order, you can see how it will all fit in, and the job of packing will be

easier when the time comes.

What about visiting the Jamboree?

Family and friends are permitted to visit the Jamboree, and encouraged to do so. While

the schedule may be subject to change, the Jamboree will probably be open to the public

beginning on Wednesday, July 28, and continuing through Tuesday, August 3, from 9am to 5pm,

with the exception of the evening arena show date when visitors may remain on the site to attend

the show until 11pm. However, if you are planning a visit, please let us know before we leave

New hampshire, so that the Scout will know when you are coming. Otherwise, he may be off for the

entire day at remote activities. Visiting in or following the busses on the Jamboree pre-tour is

not recommended at all. Not a good idea. The Scouts will need to build relationships with other

Scouts that are key to enjoying the Jamboree; the adult leaders will have special responsibilities

and will not be in a position to deal with visitors during the trip itself. More information about

visiting is available on the National Jamboree Website.