Frequently Asked Questions

At our September 13 parents meeting there were a number of questions asked. So we decided to put as many together as we could into a sort of FAQ. Since I was with the boys at the time, I’m not sure how the questions were answered, but I will do my best to answer them anyway. Perhaps I will miss a point that was made and perhaps I will add a point that was missed. If anyone has other questions, please don’t hesitate to send one of the leadership an email and we can answer the question, as well as add it to the FAQ. Here is the current list of questions, and the link to the FAQ document that I will update periodically is in the links section at the bottom of the blog page. We want everyone to be well informed and comfortable with the preparations that are taking place.
Jack

FAQ's
1) What is the itinerary?
The specific itinerary for the Jamboree trip is still to be finalized, and we will be sure to send that out as soon as it is finalized. At this time the general itinerary is to leave Las Vegas on a red-eye flight the evening of July 18. Philadelphia would be the first stop, and we would probably spend two days there. A coach will take us to Washington D.C. next. That will probably be for three days. On Saturday, July 24 we will go to a theme park called King’s Dominion. Sunday will be spent in Coloniel Williamsburg, Virginia. We will then take the coach to Fort A.P. Hill for the actual Jamboree. That will last from July 26-August 3. On August 4 we will return to Las Vegas.

2) What happens to fundraising money?
All fundraising money is turned into the scout office along with a list of scouts who earned it and how much is to go to each scout. The money is put into each scout’s account, and counts toward the final total owed. Fundraising money can not be refunded only reallocated to other scouts. If the amount you pay for a scout and the amount fundraised is more than the final total, then a refund of the amount you overpaid will be made by the scout office.

3) Can we as a parent come with, before or after?
There is nothing to stop a parent from making their own arrangements to visit Philadelphia, Washington D.C., or the other places we will be visiting. Generally, we can not make special arrangements for boys to be with or travel with parents, as all of our arrangements are made on a group basis. It can be a great distraction for the scout(s) to have family members trying to spend time with them, and pulling them away from the troop. It can also make it more difficult for us as leaders to keep track of the scouts. As far as the actual Jamboree, visitors are allowed, but can not stay overnight on site. In order to visit you would need to go through the National Office in order to get a visitor’s pass. Remember it is being held on a US Army base, and entry will be restricted. Sometimes special arrangements can be made for before or after the Jamboree trip, but they would have to be handled on a case by case basis and it would be best to keep these to a bare minimum.

4) What is our theme?
The theme for the five contingent troops from our council will be “Outside Las Vegas.” The goal is to highlight the great places outside of the main city. Our troop has chosen the Valley of Fire as our part of “Outside Las Vegas.”

5) What is the mascot?
The troop mascot is the gila monster, and we would love to hear ideas for using this mascot with the troop.

6) What do the kids bring? Do they stay in tents at the Jamboree?
We will provide a packing list for the scouts when we get closer to the Jamboree trip. Much of the bigger items (tents, cots, cooking gear) are included in the Jamboree fee and will be taken care of. They will not need to be packed by the boys. The boys will stay in a hotel during the touring portion of the trip and in tents at the Jamboree site. The boys will definitely need to bring a sleeping bag or blanket, their uniforms, a light jacket, personal hygiene items, any extra spending money, and a desire to have a great time.

7) What are they supposed to wear? Do they wear their scout uniform for everything?
There will be many occasions when the boys will be required to wear their field (Class A) uniforms, but they will not have to wear them at all times. A field uniform consists of the tan uniform shirt (old or new styles are acceptable), scout pants or shorts, and scout socks which are required if wearing shorts. Most of the time the boys will wear an activity (Class B) uniform. An activity uniform consists of a scout themed t-shirt or polo along with the scout pants or shorts. At least one shirt will be provided for each Scout as part of the Jamboree fee. Other than for some small exceptions, non-scouting clothing should not be worn. The Council Jamboree Committee is working to put together a special order for uniforms at a discount specifically for the Jamboree participants. This will most likely take place near the beginning of 2010, and we will pass that information to all parents when it has been set up.