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Jamboree Preparation Notes

The following notes were sent by John W. Manz, Area Commissioner, Area 5 Western Region BSA regarding expected conditions at The Summit during Jamboree.

Fellow Jamboree Scouters:

Some heads up items:

  1. It is projected to rain on 8 of the 10 Jamboree days (most may have thunderstorms as well as showers), including arrival and departure days.
  2. The duffel bags are not waterproof:
    • I have double coated mine with the heavy-duty CampDrY from Kiwi – the 3rd coat goes on tomorrow.  This will help but not solve the problem completely or reliably due to seams and zippers.
    • I suggest each Scout have 3 of the 55 gallon heavy duty (3 mil thickness) extra large (3′ wide x 4’8″ high) contractor size plastic bags in their gear – can buy at any good hardware store, Home Depot, or Lowes.  Iron Hold is one of the brands
    • Use one (1) of the bags as an inner liner for the duffel bag, the same way we use a plastic bag in a pack basket, before departing the final tour stop enroute to the Jamboree.   The other 2 bags are to put bedding, etc. in before leaving camp in the morning or to keep the gear dry as an inner liner when departing the Jamboree.
    • You might want to pick up a couple of cheap plastic drop cloths or the equivalent to cover your gear with while setting up camp and tearing down camp.
    • If it is raining on arrival at the Subcamp, I suggest you get out of uniforms and into swim suits or shorts,T-shirts or the equivalent, and shoes and socks as soon as you arrive at the campsite as it will be wet and soft.
    • Drying will be far more difficult at the Summit than at Ft. Hill due to paucity of dryers in town and any reasonable way to get to them – bring a couple of lines to string for drying when the sun comes out.
    • Solar chargers may be of limited use if the sky is totally overcast much of the time.
    • This could be another wet one – ala the 1973 Jamboree at Moraine State Park, PA just 270 miles almost due north of the Summit.  The Scouts have always called it “Mo’ Rain State Park” as it was a cold rain for ten (10) straight days..
    • Be alert for hypothermia especially if we get a sudden temperature drop after a rain or thunderstorm.  Most hypothermia occurs when wet between 30o F and 50o F.
    • Trenchfoot and other foot ailments could become an issue, especially for those wearing Gore=Tex lined boots.  10 days in a “sauna” is a breeding ground.  Foot checks for this and other ailments like blisters are a best practice.  I am now going to bring an extra pair of moccasins that are the L.L.Bean rubber bottoms – they do stay dry but are not great for walking cross-country.

In answer to several questions:

  1. I do not have a phone number yet for the Subcamp HQ.  Subcamp Director Mike Hale is working on that.
  2. I do not know the size of the American flag in the Troop kit at this time, still looking for an answer.

Looking forward to the adventure.

My best,
John
John W. Manz
Area Commissioner, Area 5 Western Region BSA
Commissioner, Subcamp Blue Jay, 2013 National Scout Jamboree

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