Jamboree allows boys time for sports, religious services
EDITOR'S NOTE: Columbia County Boy Scout Matthew Warnock attended National Scout Jamboree 2005 at Fort A.P. Hill, Va., with Scouts from Troops 2009 and 2010 from the Georgia-Carolina Council. This is Matthew's account of some of their activities.
President Bush waves from the Arena Show stage with a group of Scouts after his speech at the National Scout Jamboree.
Special photo by Mark Duncan
At Subcamp 20, campsites nine and 10 play host to all the magic your boys have been doing. At the campsites, boys take part in day-to-day activities in their patrol site.
When there is nothing to do, the troop will start up games of bean-bag. Boys also will cook breakfast and dinner, and clean their patrol site. The last thing that takes place in the campsite is troop meetings, where the boys learn about the day's activities.
On the roads during the day, you will see many things that interest you. One activity you will commonly see is patch trading. Don't think you will be alone because there will be many more people on the street with you. While walking down the roads you will see events you can do during the day.
Some of the more popular events, such as rappelling, action alley and the confidence course, require reservations made a day in advance. Other events, such as the shooting sports, are very popular.
The No. 1 favorite of our troops, though, is pioneering, where you can make a wooden mallet from scratch if you promise not to hit your Scoutmaster - no matter how much he deserves it.
A Scout is reverent. At the National Jamboree, we fulfill that saying. There are many religious services you can take part in. We have services for all religions, from Christian to Hindu. If you want to, you could even take part in a service that is not of your own religion. That would help you to better understand other people.
The most spectacular thing you can see at the National Jamboree is the closing arena show. President Bush made a very encouraging speech to all who were there.
When night came, they put on the most amazing laser light show you can imagine. To finish the night with a bang, there was a 30-minute fireworks show.