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Faces of the Jamboree Click here to browse and order hundreds of images from the jamboree
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Free Lance-Star stories from the 2001 Boy Scout Jamboree
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A LOOK BACK: Photos from the 2001 Jamboree | |
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KEEPSAKE CD NOW AVAILABLE!
Special keepsake captures highlights from the 2005 National Scout Jamboree. CD includes PDFs of newspaper pages and feature videos (including full coverage of President Bush's visit). Click here to place your order.
Jamboree 2005: A look back
By Becky Piedel
fredericksburg.com
THE IDEA OF IT all seemed intriguing: Nearly 40,000 Boy Scouts from all over the world gathered in one spot to celebrate Scouting.
Ten days of activities, camaraderie and merit badges--sounds like a hearty time.
Doesn't smell like one, though.
Scorching temperatures and heat indexes sent a vile funk through the Fort A.P. Hill area that I swear I could smell miles away on State Route 2.
The National Scout Jamboree isn't made for people who gag at the smell of portable toilets, or the smell of their neighbor, or even the smell
It's no place for me, that's for sure, but I went anyway.
And I actually managed to have some fun. I enjoyed riding around on a bike and talking to Scouts and their leaders; and I was thrilled to hear President Bush speak.
So to you I offer the following exciting, entertaining and, in some cases, unusual observances from my first jamboree:
These boys sure do like taking pictures. I started to think half of them were aspiring Glamour Shots photographers the way they were clicking and snapping.
But it's kind of unnerving to think my mug might be on some 13-year-old boy's wall or, even worse, in his wallet.
An awkward conversation:
Boy: "Can I ask you a question?"
Me: "OK."
Boy: "Do you have a boyfriend?"
Me: "Yes."
Boy: "Well, what would your boyfriend think if you told him you were at a camp with 40,000 boys?"
Me: "I think I'm a bit older than you."
Boy: "But don't tell him how old we are!"
Me: "I think he'd be OK with it."
Boy: "Wow, he must be really cool."
General Motors donated a load of vans and SUVs to the jamboree to escort Scouts and media. There were Yukons, Suburbans, minivans--every gas-guzzling, soccer-mom vehicle you could think of.
Last Monday, I rode in a Cadillac Escalade. I never really understood the hype behind the Escalade, but after riding in one, now I get it. Those things are nice.
The jamboree had its own radio station, The Eagle, 95.1 QBSA. Several Scouts doubled as disc jockeys for the week. They played some pretty good music, though for an organization with beliefs like the Boy Scouts, the number of Queen songs played was surprising. Also unexpected was one Scout's performance of Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" at the arena show.
A funny music moment:
While driving down the main road at the post, a co-worker and I noticed a Scout running to catch up with a bus. This kid was sprinting; he looked like a track star out there. He caught up with the bus right before it pulled away, but it still left without him. I thought he might cry because he was so upset, but instead he turned toward the bus and wagged his middle finger at the driver.
Venturing, a coed high-adventure branch of the Boy Scouts of America, allows girls
The Fairfax County Police Traffic Safety Department had a display up on Merit Badge Midway to teach Scouts of the dangers of driving while intoxicated. Officers had Scouts put on a pair of "fatal vision goggles," set at a BAC of 0.08, the legal limit. Then they tried to walk down a straight line.
When I tried, I nearly fell. I did so poorly that the officers joked I might actually be intoxicated. I blame my wobbliness on a pair
That about does it. The next jamboree won't be held until 2010--the 100th year of Scouting.
I'm not sure if I'll be at that one--I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
Or maybe I should wait and smell.
To reach BECKY PIEDEL: 540/374-5000, ext. 5765 bpiedel@fredericksburg.com
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