BSA National Jamboree

[devodave]

Hey Baz, My uncle went to Pipsico with his Troop too (I grew up in Portsmouth!)! I only made it to Bobcat when i was old enough to join Cubs as a Wolf back then (Tigers didn't exist yet). They took me when I was 5 and 6, more as a mascot. I do remember going to Camp Moonyah over in the Deep Creek area though!

I am the Scoutmaster of our council contingent, my first time to go to the Summit. Looking forward to the experience!

Tried to get a Philmont trip planned for 21, but it seemed to be an undertaking others were not interested in, so it kinda died on the vine. Would still love to go some day.

But I've gotten a lot done as an adult leader (Woodbadge, Powderhorn, Seabadge, OA Brotherhood), so I'm pretty content. Biggest regret was not being able to attend Ocpik cold weather program (haven't seen it offered for years now).

[NutmegCarrera]

Always wanted to do Philmont.
Have not been as interested in Jambo.

Somebody please come over and help me keep my son motivated to get this darned Eagle project done.
He is SOOO close….
A few weekends of work, a report and a board of review.
Making me nuts!!!
He could finish a couple more merit badges and he would be getting three palms. (Something I fell short of)
Nominated for OA. Hope I can convince him to go get tapped out this summer.

Thanks for hearing my rant!

[stevej37]

^^^ OA membership is a nice honor.
In my time..it was picked by fellow scouts...it may be different now.

[sprio]

Originally Posted by NutmegCarrera

Always wanted to do Philmont.
Have not been as interested in Jambo.

Somebody please come over and help me keep my son motivated to get this darned Eagle project done.
He is SOOO close….

Was in Philmont in '74 - great memories. Tell your son that earning Eagle rank is something that will stay with him all his life - it has opened doors and made connections through my professional life. Hope he gets it done!

[stevej37]

My favorite memory of Boy Scouts was the camping outside and the camp-fire.

The favorite merit badge was the swimming one....had to swim an un-aided mile for the badge. I did it with a leg cramp at the half-way mark. Second fav merit badge was archery.

[devodave]

I get a lot of satisfaction teaching Merit Badges. My favorite is Engineering, followed by Welding and Nuclear Science. Others are Citizenship in Society, Composite Materials, Energy, Farm Mechanics, Hiking, Home Repairs, Personal Management and Sustainability. Its rewarding seeing a young person learn something new about a topic that is outside their normal sphere of influence as well as something new about themselves.

I have two Scouts, 1 from each of our boy and girl Troops, that are really excelling. They both attended NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training - Think Project Management for youth!) last Spring and then NYLT Academy last Summer. They are both taking on more and more leadership positions, including within the OA. And for a Leader, that's what it is all about!

[stevej37]

^^^ Well done.
The badges have changed thru the years....but the idea is the same.

[bugstrider]

Originally Posted by LWJ

Sorry, I can’t resist.

“Scoutmaster Kevin?!?”

Nice one!!!

In all seriousness, both of our sons are Eagle Scouts. Mrs Bugs n I were instrumental participants in our local Troop, that is now disbanded . Due to my work schedule as a First Responder and goofy unpredictable scheduling, I couldn’t commit to the roll of Scout Master. Mrs Bugs, did and the troop thrived. One of our Troop’s Eagles now flys for the Navy (F-18s) and another Flys for South West. We had another (incredibly intelligent- new engineer) graduate from UNR and join the army as enlisted before going the Officer route. Wanted to prove to everyone that he earned being an Office. How does a Troop Leader respond to that, other than with immense pride in the moral character you were able to help mold. We were fortunate that many of our Troops Eagles have moved on to become very successful and accomplished young men.

She and my youngest attended the World Jamboree in the UK years ago and I regret not being able to go with her. She has made lasting friendships that are as strong today as they were 10 years ago. Even attended a wedding in the UK and we even were shown wonderful hospitality when we took our sons over to Europe on an EF tour when they graduated High School.

The SWAG traded with all of the World Scouts is neat and one of the funniest observations Mrs Bugs made, was that it does not matter what part of the world the Scouts are from…….the all act the same .

Attending any Jamboree will make lasting memories. Enjoy every minute because it goes way too fast.

[NY65912]

My grandson is stepping up this weekend from Tiger to Wolf. He is very excited and made a pledge that he would continue scouting and be an Eagle Scout one day. He's going on his first hike this weekend as well. I do hope he continues and I can be around to see it.

[bugstrider]

Originally Posted by NY65912

My grandson is stepping up this weekend from Tiger to Wolf. He is very excited and made a pledge that he would continue scouting and be an Eagle Scout one day. He's going on his first hike this weekend as well. I do hope he continues and I can be around to see it.

Awesome!!!!!! Stay strong and Scout on!!


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[Soterik]

NY65912 Congrats!! Sounds like fun!!
Bugstrider, that's quite a lot to be proud of.

Best of times for me as a young man, got to Life. Both of my sons are Eagles, both OA, and both did Philmont (older son did it twice). I've been a Scout Master, one of my Eagles went to West Point (he's and explosives expert!). Love going to summer camp, get to be a kid again. Never got to do a Jamboree, and wished I had done Philmont, but the knees said "no"...

[A930Rocket]

Great stories, guys!

I joined a Cub Scout troop when I was in elementary school, but did not stay with it.

A few memories I have are going to a camp for a sleepover. My dad and I woke up and thought we were early, but we were the last ones up and everybody had already eaten breakfast.

Another one was, racing the little derby cars. I remember this older girl handed me a bag of track or something in a large mesh onion bag or similar. She said not to hold it by the thin loop at the top. What did I do? I carried it by the thin loop, it broke, and the track went everywhere. She blasted me.

On another camping trip we bicycled to, we made dinner by stuffing meat and other vegetables into a potato wrapped with aluminum foil. The potatoes were placed in the hot coals to cook. I thought they were delicious.

[fanaudical]

I've never been to Jambo, never had much interest in going. Have sent several Scouts from my troop. My favorite trips have been some of the primitive backpacking we've done in the Oregon wilderness.

DevoDave - That's awesome that your Scouts attended NYLT and got to attend the academy. I'm an ex-NYLT Course Director here in the PNW and leading that has been my favorite time as a Scouting volunteer.

[devodave]

Originally Posted by fanaudical

DevoDave - That's awesome that your Scouts attended NYLT and got to attend the academy. I'm an ex-NYLT Course Director here in the PNW and leading that has been my favorite time as a Scouting volunteer.

I was successful in getting our Council's first NYLT course delivered back in 2017 as Course Director and have been part of them since. But, we really struggle getting and keeping well trained adults to run them, as well as other aspects of Scouting. Too few people are willing to put in the time and effort, so we tend to wear many hats.

[fanaudical]

I was an assistant NYLT CD back in 2017 (having done WB staff in 2014) and then was one of the CD's for both 2018 and 2019. I've been advising the new CD's ever since. NYLT is one of my favorite Scouting programs. We struggle finding the right adults too.

[tops911]

As a kid I so wanted to like the Boy Scouts, early 1970s. my experience sucked. We did nothing outdoors. and my only memory is having to sell tickets to the annual jamboree in Denver. I have memories of wandering all oner the city knocking on doors trying to sell those damn tickets. And then I never got to go the the jamboree. after something like being in the Scouts for 3 or 4 years I quit when by younger sister joined the Girl Scouts and she went camping within the first week. I'm glad others had better experiences.