Presentation from Second Troop Meeting

As promised, the presentation slides from our second Troop Meeting are available. Click the below links to get the slides in Adobe Reader format:

Presentation

Patches, More Patches, and Patch Trading

There are several patches that are specific to the Jamboree contingent troops. They are:

 

• Troop Numerals -- required for every uniform shirt
• National Jamboree Patch -- This rectangular patch is to be worn halfway between the right pocket and the right shoulder loop of the uniform shirt. You may wear this Jamboree patch for the rest of your scouting career.
• Council Strip Patch -- Every troop will have a different patch with the council's name, "National Jamboree 2013" and various designs. Many of the councils will have a unifying back patch that the council strips may be placed around to complete a larger design or theme. These are the most commonly traded patches
• Texas Patch -- Circle 10 will issue a Texas shaped patch to hang from your right shirt pocket button. This patch might be traded for similar patches from other councils or for less popular council strips.

• Order of the Arrow (OA) Lodge Flap -- Designed and purchased from Mikanakawa Lodge to be worn on the right pocket flap and only issued to currently registered OA members, these patches may be traded for OA patches from other lodges.
• OA Lodge Full Pocket -- Designed and purchased from Mikanakawa Lodge, this larger and extended design of the pocket flap covers the entire right pocket, but is designed to still allow use of the pocket. It may be traded for other OA full pocket designs from other lodges or possible combinations of lodge flaps or a lodge flap/council strip.

Patch Trading is generally done youth with youth or adult with adult. Generally it is like patch for like patch, but it is an open market. Embroidered patches are valued more than printed patches. OA patches are to only be held, owned, and traded by OA members. There may be a special area where supervised trades between adults and youth will be allowed. I have heard of participants buying 50 council strips for trading in an effort to get a different patch from each of the 50 states. How much money and time you invest in patch trading is up to you.

Advanced Trading -- There have been unconfirmed stories of entire uniforms being traded. These stories usually involve the visiting international scouts. As always, let the buyer beware. All transactions are final, and there is no legal recourse for bad trades.

 

Included Patches -- Already included in the price of the Jamboree are two Troop Numeral patches, two Council Strip patches, two National Jamboree patches, and two "Texas" Patches. These included patches are for the at least two uniforms that you are wearing on this trip. Additional patches for additional uniforms or trading may be purchased.

 

Troop Numerals are selling for four dollars each, but the troop can get a 50 cent discount per patch if the we order in blocks of 40. You may order these individually through the Jamboree section of scoutstuff.org.

 

Council Strips are expected to be two dollars each with an entire set of the Circle 10 contingents with back patches available for $50.

 

Texas patches from Circle 10 are expected to cost one dollar each.

 

Mikanakawa will send a separate letter with and order form their prices to the currently registered members. The flap patch will be less than five dollars each while the full pocket patch will be less than $10 each.

 

IMPORTANT: We must have our troop's order for Council Strips, and Texas Patches to Circle 10 by March 27. Please send your questions and orders for these patches to jamboreescoutmaster@gmail.com.

Tips on Signing Up for Curriculum Activities

Here are some additional tips from the Jamboree Committee about selecting your Curriculum High Adventure Activities:

1. The High Adventure Activity sign-up is available on the Scout’s Dashboard.
2. Login directly into the Scout’s account with his username and password, not the parent’s account.
3. The Activity Preference link won’t show up if you sign in using the parent’s account.
4. Go to the Scout’s Dashboard and select the link named “Activity Preference.” The link’s name has changed from what we told you earlier in Feb (“My Curriculum Selection”)
5. Rank your activities and submit.  (Print the previous blog post to rank your selections offline first)
6. Be sure to click Save and/or Next after you have ranked every activity.
7. You can go back in to change your preferences anytime before May 5.  This is not a first-come, first choice system.  All choices will be submitted together at the end of the original 90 days (approximate deadline is May 5, 2013).

As always, if you are having difficulty, please contact either the Jamboree support available from the dashboard or one of our adult leaders.

 

Jamboree Curriculum Preference Worksheet

For those that have had trouble completing the curriculum preference, or for those that have not yet completed it, print out the section below to help you.

DIRECTIONS:  Rank the activities in the blanks to the side 1 for most favorable to – for least favorable//Log on to your Summit Account and Activity Preference, then move the Activities in order of your list on this page by dragging the boxes, 1 at the top, 2 next and so on.

_       Canopy Tour (Aerial Sports) (The Canopy)

_       Shooting (Target Sports) (The Barrels)

_       Advanced Kayaking (Aquatics) (The Kayak Lake)

_       Archery (Target Sports) (The Bows)

_       Birdwatching (Conservation) (Conservation Areas)

_       BMX (Extreme Sports) (The Trax)

_       Challenge Course (Aerial Sports) (The Ropes)

_       Climbing Skills (Aerial Sports) (The Rocks)

_       Conservation Trek (Conservation) (Conservation Areas)

_       Dutch Oven (Conservation) (Conservation Areas)

_       Fly Fishing (Conservation) (Conservation Areas)

_       Geocaching (Conservation) (Conservation Areas)

_       Geology Hike Trek (Conservation) (Conservation Areas)

_       Landscape Painting (Conservation) (Conservation Areas)

_       Mariners Adventure (Aquatics) (West Lake)

_       Mountain Biking (Extreme Sports) (Cross Country/Downhill) (Low Gear)

_       Mountain Biking Skills (Extreme Sports) (High Gear)

_       Nature Photography (Conservation) (Conservation Areas)

_       Orienteering (Map/Compass) (Conservation Areas)

_       Orienteering – GPS (Conservation) (Conservation Areas)

_       Skateboard (Extreme Sports) (The Park)

JAMBOREE SCOUT/PARENT MEETING FEB. 10, 2013

Jamboree Scouts and Parents:

Reminder of Jamboree Scout/Parent meeting.  All Scouts and at least one parent/guardian need to be present at this meeting.

If you have completed your medical forms, bring a copy of all completed parts to the meeting.

Date:               February 10, 2013
Time:              3:30 – 5:00 pm
Location:        Knights of Columbus Hall, 2280 Springlake Road, Farmers Branch, TX 75234 
                                (same location as last meeting; click here for a Google map)

Attire:             Scouts in Field Uniform (class A)
Who Should Attend:  All Scouts and at least one parent/guardian
Check the blog site for updates.

--

David Ragsdale

Jamboree Scoutmaster

2013 National Jamboree Program Plan for High Adventure Activities

TO ALL REGISTERED JAMBOREE SCOUTS AND VENTURERS:

VERSION 2.0 is LOCATED HERE for the High Adventure Program Activities offered at the 2013 National Jamboree. This document also contains information about how YOU will have the opportunity to participate in these activities.

The program model for the 2013 National Jamboree is very different than past jamborees, and if YOU endeavor to "BE PREPARED", ALL of us will have a more fun and enjoyable experience. Please review this document BEFORE going online to make your curriculum program selections.

In January, we had webinars for your local council representatives and unit leaders to discuss this topic, and the materials from those webinars are now posted on the Jamboree website under "COUNCIL RESOURCES".

The CURRICULUM SELECTION PROGRAM is also now available on your participant dashboard. Please remember this is NOT a first come, first served process. It will be available for at least the next 90 days. We will send out a notice with the closing date once that has been determined.

If you have questions you may email me or call the National Support Center at 972-580-2000.

Thank you for your cooperation and assistance in implementing this new feature of our National Jamborees.

Russell Smart

2013 National Jamboree

Program Group Chairman

How to Select You High Adventure Program Activities

Per the previous post and from the webinar that our adult leaders attended, I present the following information about the high adventure activities at the 2013 National Jamboree:


There will be 3 kinds of high adventure program activities at the Jamboree.

1. Elective program activities:  These activities will be available during the Jamboree on a first come-first served basis.  Scouts will go to the Elective activities areas; wait in line; then do the activity.  The time spent for each activity will be a short time, perhaps 15-20 minutes.  After a Scout completes an elective activity, he’ll get back in line for another go at it or else he’ll move on to another activity.  There will be many Elective activities all over the various program venues.  These elective activities are the same kind of activities that a Scout can experience in a Curriculum program activity but on a shorter time-frame. 
2. Curriculum program activities:  These activities will be pre-scheduled where each Scout will have the opportunity to participate in one Curriculum activity during the Jamboree.  The time spent in each Curriculum activity will be 2 – 4 hours where the Scout will receive instruction using the EDGE method and the Scout will have the chance to gain or improve his skills.  When a Scout completes a Curriculum activity, he may choose to stay in the program venue and take part in Elective activities.
3. Offsite Optional program activities:  There are 2 offsite activities available:  whitewater rafting and technical climbing.  These activities will be pre-scheduled; incur a $50 fee; and be limited in capacity.  Technical climbing requires some level of technical ability which could be attained while at the Jamboree.  Scouts will be tested for competence prior to participation in technical climbing.  If the Scout does not pass the skill level test, the fee will be refunded.  Participating in one or both of the Offsite Optional program activities are in addition to the one Curriculum activity per Scout.

Here is the list of the 21 Curriculum program activities:

   Canopy Tour                                         Climbing Skills
   Challenge Course                                 Mountain Biking Skills
   Mountain Biking                                   Skateboard
   BMX                                                     Archery

   Shooting Sports                                     Advanced Kayaking
   Mariners Adventure                               Fly Fishing
   Dutch Oven                                            Geocaching
   Orienteering / Map and Compass          Orienteering / GPS
   Birdwatching                                          Nature Photography
   Conservation Trek                                  Geology Hike
    Landscape Painting

The 2 Offsite Optional program activities (with an additional $50 fee) are:

   Whitewater Rafting on the New River
   Technical Climbing in the New River Gorge

Selecting Curriculum activities and Offsite activities.

            a.  Scouts will rank all 21 Curriculum activities in their order of preference.  Scouts do not have to participate in any Curriculum activities if they don’t want to.

            b.  Scouts will indicate by yes or no their desire to participate in an Offsite activity.

            c.  The Jamboree Program Group will run an Optimization program to assign Scouts to their Curriculum activity and to their desired, if appropriate, Offsite activity.  The Optimization program will assign the most Scouts to their highest ranking Curriculum choice as possible.

            d.  Selection Process:

                        1)  Scout must be registered on line with the Jamboree website

                        2)  Scout must be accepted as a participant

                        3)  Selection signup will open the last week of Jan 13

                        4)  Signup process will be open for 90 days

                        5)  At the end of the 90 day signup period, the Optimization Program will be run and Scouts will be assigned to their one Curriculum activity.  Scouts will also be assigned to their choice(s) of Offsite activity, if requested and if space is available.

            e.  How to Signup – step by step process to follow

                       1)  Go online to the Jamboree website, sign in, go to the Dashboard, select My Curriculum Selection, and then fill in the forms online using 4 Screens.

                       2)  Screen 1: 

                                    BSA Membership ID #:_______________
                                    Name ______________________
                                    Do you have religious restrictions on Saturday or Sunday?__________

                       3)  Screen 2:

                                    Rearrange the list of 1 to 21 Curriculum activities in the preference you desire.
                                    Rank the activities from top to bottom.

                       4)  Screen 3:

                                    Do you want Whitewater Rafting?   Yes or no
                                    Do you want Technical Climbing?   Yes or no

                       5)  Screen 4:

                                    Review your Curriculum activity list order.

                                    Submit

  f.  After the Optimization process is completed and Scouts assigned to their activity, the results will be posted to each Scout’s record file on the Jambo website.

  Notes and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
 
            a.  If you are late to sign up after the 90 days is over, you will have to choose from what is left.
            b.  Can I sign up with my buddy?  No, the scheduling program works only on a single Scout basis per single Curriculum activity.  Our troop will manage the buddy system when we get to the Jamboree.
            c.  Are their makeups for rainouts or sickness?  No, the Jamboree only has so many spaces so there is no  opportunity to reschedule activities.
            d.  Can I make changes in my Curriculum or Offsite choices?  Yes, but only during the 90 day open window.  After the 90 day window is closed and the Optimization program run, there won’t be any changes allowed.
            e.  Is there an age limit on the Whitewater Rafting?  No
            f.  Can I select both Whitewater rafting and Technical Climbing?  Yes
            g.  What happened to having 2 Curriculum choices per Scout?  Not enough time for Scouts to do 2 Curriculum activities.

            h.  Any age restrictions?  Mostly – no.  See program guide.  Pistol shooting is for Venture-aged Boy Scouts only (14 or completed 8^th grade)

            i.  What is the capacity for each Curriculum activity?  All different, can adjust a bit using the Selection process, and depends on the number of staff.

             j.  Will everyone get their first choice?  Probably not, but Scouts will get the highest possible choice.
             k.  Can adults participate in Curriculum activities?  No, only for Scouts.  Adults can participate at the Summit Center activity area.
             l.  Adults are required on the Whitewater rafting at 1 adult per 44 scouts.
             m.  Offsite activities will be charged $50 electronically when scheduled.  If oversubscribed, fee will be refunded.
             n.  How do Preview Activities work at the Summit Center?  Stand in line to gain access.  For Scouts, adults, and visitors.
             o.  Can Leaders monitor Curriculum selection process?  No, no access to the system.  Scouts can print down their assignment to provide to Scoutmaster.
             p.  Weather refunds for Offsite Climbing?  Yes, will refund for tech climbing if weathered-out.  Weather does not affect whitewater rafting.
            q.  Optional gear or shoes needed for activities?  No, gear will be provided for all activities.  Scouts could bring special skateboard shoes if want.  All activities require closed-toe shoes.
            r.  What rifles and pistols are there?  Rifles:  22, 223, 308.  Pistols:  22, 9mm.  Can only shoot the 9mm pistol if demonstrate a good skill level.  Must meet Venture age to shoot pistols (14 or completed 8^th grade)
            s.  Can we do Scuba elective as a troop?  Yes if want to. Can do individually or stand in line as a troop.
            t.  Will there be a daily schedule for each Scout provided by the Jamboree?  No, print it off your Dashboard and bring it with you.
            u.  What are the dates of the 90 day open window?  You will be notified by email of the start and end.
            v.  Age requirement for Jamboree?  12 or 11 and graduate of the 6^th grade.
            w.  Are there shotguns? Yes, 12 gauge
            x.  Will there be a master schedule of all Scouts and their Curriculum activities for the Scoutmaster?  Yes.
            y.  Can Leaders accompany Scouts to Curriculum activities?  Yes, but they can’t participate in the activity, they are for Scouts only
            z.  Will my experience level achieved during Curriculum or Elective activities be kept on file so I don’t have to retest each time I go to an Elective activity?  Yes.