World Record Dreidel GameWhen people play the Jewish game of dreidel during Hanukkah, they sometimes win chocolate coins called gelt. But when people play dreidel at jamboree, they sometimes win new world records. That was the case Sunday afternoon at Jambopalooza, the 2017 National Jamboree’s carnival in the AT&T Summit Stadium. Organizers passed out 965 dreidels, or spinning […]Summit Blog·July 25, 2017
Favorite Adventure AreaWith the jamboree already half over, the Scouts in attendance have had plenty of time to roam around and explore all the Summit Bechtel Reserve has to offer. We were curious: Which parts of the Summit have been wowing them the most? JamboLink surveyed 50 Scouts at Jambopalooza Sunday afternoon with the question, “What’s the […]Summit Blog·July 25, 2017
Mountain Biking Staff Chooses Jamboree over National CompetitionStaff member and Venturer Kaitlyn W., from Vancouver, Washington, had a particularly tough decision about whether to attend the 2017 National Jamboree. Kaitlyn, a staff member at Low Gear, was qualified to participate in Nationals for mountain biking. However, she decided to become Jamboree staff member instead. “I decided that riding mountain bikes for two […]Summit Blog·July 25, 2017
Jamboree App can Help you Navigate ActivitiesPopular programs at the 2017 National Jamboree sometimes have a long wait, but the Jamboree mobile app can help: It lists the wait times for each of the major programs at the Jamboree. The times are updated every 10 minutes if they change significantly. Be aware that most aerial sports stop taking participants earlier than […]Summit Blog·July 25, 2017
OA Oral History Project at Jamboree 2017The Order of the Arrow and the National Scouting Museum’s Scouting Memories Project have partnered to jointly host the Jamboree 2017 Oral History Project. Youth-focused and led by the four 2017 OA region chiefs, our group attracted great stories big and small, old and new. The stories that we captured were all significant, some told […]Summit Blog·July 25, 2017
Special Guest Caroonist – Marcus Hamilton – Dennis the MenaceThe special guest comic today is the daily Dennis the Menace by long-time Scouter Marcus Hamilton. Dennis the Menace was created by Hank Ketcham over 60 years ago and is carried in over 1,000 papers internationally. The daily single-panel cartoon is done by Marcus Hamilton, with the Sunday multi-panel cartoon is drawn by Ron Ferdinand […]Summit Blog·July 25, 2017
Avoid Poisonous PlantsWest Virginia is home to many different poisonous plants. The most common is poison ivy, which can be recognized by its three-leaf design. It can be found anywhere since it is a vine. Another poisonous plant in West Virginia is the stinging nettle. This plant has square stems, heart shaped leaves in opposite pairs and […]Summit Blog·July 24, 2017
Momentary De-FEET – Preventing Foot ProblemsBy the end of the Jamboree, you may think that your hiking shoes look like these. But in reality, a good pair of properly fitted, closed toe and heel hiking shoes will be worth their weight in gold. If you take care of your shoes, your feet will appreciate it. Some of the injuries that […]Summit Blog·July 24, 2017
Steel Drums at International Scouting ExhibitScouts can hear music from Trinidad and Tobago played on steelpans (steel drums) Tuesday at the International Scouting Exhibit. Talented Scouts from the Trinidad and Tobago were selected to attend the Jamboree in order to present the music the country is known for. The steelpan originated in the late 1930s on the island of Trinidad […]Summit Blog·July 24, 2017
Writing Home From the 2017 National JamboreeThanks to the Jamboree Post Office, Jamboree participants and leaders can write home to their families about the different programs that they are participating in. Located in the Summit Center near the AT&T Stadium, the Jamboree Post Office offers stamps, postcards and envelopes. The Jamboree Post Office also offers three different cancellations and cachets. Two […]Summit Blog·July 24, 2017
Daniel Carter Beard RecognitionThe Summit Center at the jamboree boasts several interesting booths and activities, ranging from merit badges to information on the 2019 World Jamboree. At the Commissioner’s Corner booth, an award is offered for both youth and adults who can complete just a few simple requirements. The Daniel Carter Beard Recognition is a simple award that […]Summit Blog·July 24, 2017
Scout Catches World-Record FishFor the first time since he was a Cub Scout, Mark S. went fishing Friday at the jamboree — and he broke the world record for catching the largest grass carp with a fishing rod without a reel. The fish weighed in at a whopping 22 pounds and was 39 inches long. Mark is a […]Summit Blog·July 24, 2017
A Day in the Life of Jambo Bus DriversYou’ve seen them shuttling participants and staff members around key places at the jamboree: the drivers behind the wheel of the jamboree shuttle buses. Dwayne Rucker is one. For him, driving the Boy Scouts around has been positive. “It’s been a great experience. It has been an honor. It’s so organized here, and I’m looking […]Summit Blog·July 24, 2017
Special Guest Cartoonists – John and Anne HambrockThe special guest cartoon today is “The Brilliant Mind of Edison Lee,” by John Hambrock. Anne Morse-Hambrock, his wife, colors the strip and works in many other capacities to keep the strip running smoothly. Today’s cartoon was created specifically to run in conjunction with the 2017 National Jamboree in celebration of Boy Scouting and Venturing. […]Summit Blog·July 24, 2017
Does Your Unit Participate in OA? If Not, We Want to Hear From You!Are you a Scoutmaster or leader of a unit that does not participate in the Order of the Arrow? If so, the OA would like to hear from you! On Tuesday, July 25 at 1PM, the OA will host an open forum for leaders whose units do not participate in the OA program. The forum […]Summit Blog·July 24, 2017
Celebrating 20 years of jamboree staffAt the 1997 National Scout Jamboree, Teesie King, Craig Brasher and Brenda Hanson Smith met while serving on medical staff in Base Camp Charlie. Little did the three know that they would go from being complete strangers to closest friends: As of this summer, they have worked together on six jamborees in the same base […]Summit Blog·July 23, 2017
Wonders From the RopesNavigate swinging logs, cargo nets and rope bridges at the Ropes Challenge Course. It’s a jungle adventure that combines obstacles with heights; trees with adventure. It’s not all risk though, first stop is the orientation, where scouts learn about the activities ahead, and how to minimize the risk involved. Next participants go on to ground […]Summit Blog·July 23, 2017
Summit Center Buzzing with ActivityMany fun activities are located at the Summit Center, a central hub across the lake from Base Camp Charlie. The myriad of activities and tents located near the gorgeous Goodrich Lake vary enough so every person walking around will find something to fit their fancy. For those who are interested in soaking up as much […]Summit Blog·July 23, 2017
Patch Trading: The BasicsThe National Jamboree is a great time to interact with Scouts from all over the nation and the world while sharing fun activities and crazy adventures. One of the most popular ways to interact with others at the Jamboree is through the ancient art of patch trading. Patch trading started as a way to show […]Summit Blog·July 23, 2017
Special Guest Cartoonist – Ron Ferdinand – Dennis the MenaceRon Ferdinand is the cartoonist behind the Sunday Dennis the Menace comic strip. As with the daily strip, Dennis the Menace runs in over 1,000 newspapers internationally. This particular Sunday ended up not being available, however, Ron specifically wanted to be sure they did not miss this opportunity and created a special strip just for […]Summit Blog·July 23, 2017