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SUBCAMP 14 – 2010 NATIONAL SCOUT JAMBOREE
TROOP QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Revised 4 June 10
Q1) Any information about Merit Badge Registration? Pre-Requisites etc?
A1) The Merit Badge Midway is FANTASTIC with booths/displays/subject matter experts for each of the badges available. The emphasis; however, is different than summer camp. Although many merit badges will present the opportunity to complete significant requirements, the intent is more on awareness to the 100+ opportunities that await the Scout on his individual trail of advancement and adventure. Each merit badge is different on the degree to which requirements can be completed. Scouts will be encouraged to wander throughout all of the booths to see what is available. Scouts that “camp out” in a single merit badge effort for advancement purposes though, will miss out on countless other exciting activities.
Q2) Any time-line on when additional information about the different troop/patrol activities and their registration will be available?
A2) Doug King (Northern Star Council) will serve as the Assistant Director for Program in Subcamp 14. He and his staff will work closely with your 1st ASM upon arrival at the jamboree to ensure that Scouts have access to the full range of activities. Participation in some activities is limited and by ticket only (mountain boarding, scuba, snorkeling, waterfront activities, etc.). Our Subcamp Program Scheduler will ensure that all troops have equal access to these events. Other activities are unlimited (Merit Badge Midway, Conservation Area, Exhibits, Army Adventure, etc.) and Scouts will be encouraged to check out all of the adventures. All program scheduling will be discussed in detail upon arrival at the jamboree.
Q3) Any information about power, internet access, phone/laptop charging stations? This jamboree is being advertised as well connected and I understood there would be cell phone kiosks from AT&T, but am not sure as a leader what will be available for laptops/phones etc. so we can plan accordingly.
A3) As Subcamp leadership we have not received detailed information on what will be available. Plan; however, on the fact that there will be NO access to electricity for Scouts or Scouters in the subcamp. I anticipate that there will be quick-charge cell phone kiosks (similar to what you might see in an airport) at the jamboree trading posts. I also anticipate that there will be a fee for their use. I know that it will be impossible to enforce in this technology driven era but I would still encourage you to ask Scouts to leave their electronics at home. We have not received information on wireless internet, but again anticipate that it will not be widely available for free. There may be a few WI-FI hot spots available in some areas. Plan on being equipped with your own wireless card/account if you require regular internet access.
Q4) Given BSA's emphasis on communication this year, it might also be useful to have your cell numbers once we're on the ground.
A4) Upon arrival at the jamboree the SubcampLeadership team will be provided with cell phones. These numbers will be provided upon arrival at the jamboree. Any unit challenges while enroute to the jamboree should be routed back to your home council Scout Executive who will initiate the appropriate contact with the jamboree staff.
Q5) Thanks for the information. At last! News we can use! Here's a loaded one...... what are the dimensions of the sites? We all know it is not going to be 90 X 90, can you give me a realistic dimension so we can properly plan at our shakedown?
A5) All campsites are not necessarily created equally; however, there is an effort to make them as uniform as possible. At times there are challenges with terrain, tree lines, etc. A good rule of thumb is the diagram on page 44 of the Jamboree Leaders' Guide which is available on the web site at: The sites are typically rectangular in shape with a goal to provide 8,000 sq ft per troop. Approximate dimensions for a site of this size would be 75' X 105'. While we are on the subject of campsites you may just find it interesting to see where you fit into the Subcamp 14 household - see the attached pdf files. On a related note, as of this time we unfortunately do not anticipate any international contingents in Subcamp 14. Although we do not anticipate significant changes in the layout of Subcamp 14 we will be even smarter on the details one month from now. Ernie Stauffenecker, your SubcampCommissioner, and Alan Anderson, your SubcampDirector, will participate in an on-site visit during the 3rd week in June. I know that Ernie will be communicating with you on additional information gathered at the meeting
Q6)Do you also have a legend for the maps that indicate where showers, latrines, etc. are located near the campsites?
A6) Subcamp 14 does not have any showers or latrines! J Actually if you went there today that is a true statement. There are no permanent facilities in Subcamp 14. The good news is that we will have semi-trailers very nicely modified into restroom and shower facilities and they are air conditioned! These are the same type of facilities used at base camps for large forest fires. The units are all located adjacent to the red shaded areas which are “no build” areas under electrical power lines. There are also clusters of porta-potties (chemical toilets) located near the sites farthest away from the trailers. T = toilet, S = shower, W = wash (sinks), D = disposal (garbage grinder). The good news about the air conditioned trailers is also the bad news for the leaders. One of the first briefings that unit leaders will receive upon arrival at the subcamp is the plan for troop cleaning of the facilities and the need to keep Scouts from “hiding out” in the trailers. You will have VERY happy commissioners if you can ensure the cooperation of your unit with this plan!
Q7) The drawing for the Gateways in Appendix G is for the Region/Subcamp areas. These have a dimension of 16' high x 20' wide. I know that the Troop Gateways can only be 10' high but does anyone how wide they can be? Can they still be 20' wide or should they be scaled down to 16' wide? I am working on modified drawings and a list of materials (unless someone has already done this).
A7) The gateway restrictions pertain to the vertical element – no holes (digging) and limit to height for safety purposes. There are no restrictions on width; however you will find that space is a premium. 8’ to 16’ is probably a realistic range. As a past Jamboree Scoutmaster our gate had a total width of about 14’ with an opening of about 6’. Your troop gateway design does not have to mirror the subcamp/region gateways – be creative! If this is your first jamboree and you need ideas drop me a note. I photographed every gateway in Subcamp 14 in 2005. Many troop gateways are associated with the design of their personalized jamboree shoulder patch. No materials are provided for troop gateways. Also remember that at some point during the jamboree WIND will be a SIGNIFICANT issue. Your gateway MUST be adequately secured. No ropes or tie downs are allowed to extend into the common walkways between troop sites. In the event of forecasted extreme weather, troops may be required to disassemble gateways for safety purposes.
Q8) Did you work the 2005 jamboree?
A8) We have a tremendous experience level within the Subcamp 14 leadership team. Many are serving in their second jamboree in the same position. The others were the #2 person for the same area at the past jamboree. Personally this will by my 7th jamboree:
- 2010 NSJ – CampChief, Subcamp 14
- 2007 WSJ – Scoutmaster (England)
- 2005 NSJ – CampChief, Subcamp 14
- 2001 NSJ – Ass’t Director for Support, Subcamp 14
- 1997 NSJ – Scoutmaster
- 1995 WSJ – Scoutmaster (Netherlands)
- 1977 NSJ – Assistant Scoutmaster
Most of us have been in your shoes as unit leaders. Our advice is free if you are looking for any!
Q9) Is there any chance that we could change locations with another troop so that all of our council’s troops are adjacent to one another? I'm mainly thinking of our ability to park our truck at one location for unloading and reloading. The less we move the truck the safer we all are, and It would be good not to have to haul all our equipment by hand.
A9) This is one of my least favorite subjects to discuss. During past jamborees the subcamp leadership was allowed to make campsite assignments. This allowed adjacent campsites and combined gateways but produced a chaotic numbering system as one council might have troops 1405, 1412, 1413, 1427 (a minor problem in my opinion). For this jamboree the assignments were made without our input providing for consecutive numbering of the troops such as 1405, 1406, 1407, 1408. This looks nice on the roster but not so pretty on the map. Hence the rather chaotic assignment of troop sites from the same council. What makes it tough for swapping troop sites is that the troop number and the corresponding site number on the map serve as the “street address” system in the event of an emergency. So, a long answer to a short question – the swapping of troop sites is not an option. The second part of the question also requires some discussion. If all conditions allow, unit equipment trucks are typically allowed to drive as close to the campsite as possible for unloading. BUT, if we have wet weather/ground conditions or your neighboring troop arrives first and has already blocked access – then you MUST BE PREPARED to carry ALL equipment in from the gravel roads that cross the subcamp. There is no mechanized equipment available to assist with unloading or movement so keep all cargo in “Scout friendly” packaging.
Q10) Reid, this is fantastic! Keep this type of communication coming. I've had more helpful information in the past 48 hours than in the past year I think! Looking forward to the great experience! And now I can show the boys where we'll be camping, and know the dimensions of our site for the pre-jamboree campout tomorrow!
A10) This very gracious comment is certainly appreciated, but I also owe you an apology. It was our desire as subcamp leadership to initiate this type of communication much earlier in the planning process. For unknown reasons we seriously struggled to gain the contact information for you until very recently. From here forward though, I am more than happy to correspond with you on a daily basis if you are in need of information.
Q11) I saw that we can order birthday cakes for boys celebrating birthdays during the Jamboree. I have two of those in my troop. But I haven't seen any information on how to order those. Do we do that once we arrive, or is there someone I need to contact beforehand?
A11) That is a good question. I have not yet seen any info. In the past I am pretty sure that they had to be ordered in advance. We will watch for more information and forward as soon as we have it.
Q12) Will we be allowed to use charcoal & Dutch oven cooking during the Jamboree? We have a small, elevated portable BBQ pit we would like to set the Dutch Oven on for cooking extras.
A12) Unfortunately this is not allowed. The “NO OPEN FLAMES” rule pertains to all heat sources other than the jamboree-approved LP grills. Please also remember that the only approved campsite light sources are battery-powered lanterns. Lantern posts are not permitted on the LP bottles provided by the jamboree and no additional fuel sources are allowed into the jamboree site. See page 18 of:
Q13) We don't want to buy and bring a lot of equipment we don't need so I have a question about the meals. Are all the meals in Subcamp 14 PRE-COOKED? where all we have to do is place the pan in another pan of hot water and reheat. (like the eggs, pancakes, & hamburgers) or do we need to buy gridles for the stoves.
A13) Although the majority of the jamboree meals are intended to be easily prepared they will not all be pre-cooked. I believe that you will find a gridle per patrol to be a good investment for some of the menus. Hamburgers are on the menu for one meal and French Toast for another. See page 24 at: Although not listed on the patrol equipment list for this jamboree, in the past a steam pan (low, half-size) has also been a must for some tray-style meals that can be warmed in hot water. The patrol menus for the jamboree may be viewed at: Unfortunately the subcamp staff does not know the details on each food product until it is delivered to the subcamp commissary at 2 a.m. of the date it will be consumed.
Q14) We have one boy that has alergies to Chicken and Turkey. I see that 3/4 of the lunches and suppers he can't eat. What does he do for his lunches and suppers.
A14) Due to 40,000+ jamboree participants it is impossible for the food service to provide personal diets that are allergy compatible. Special menus are available only for religious reasons (Kosher or Halal) see: Hopefully there will be some alternatives provided at the time of the jamboree in addition to the good old-fashioned “trade this for that” option with other Scouts in his patrol. If the Scout likes peanut butter you may want to pack a large jar of his favorite brand. We should have extra bread available for distribution. (Also see other related questions on this page.)
Q15) The leaders guide indicates a need to complete swim tests prior to the Jamboree. In 2005 we dutifully completed our swim tests and created swimming and boating tags for the boys. At the Jamboree, these appeared to have no value as none of the activities required the "buddy tags". Is there really a need for swim tests or is that just verbiage left over from a previous Jamboree where such might have been required. Hope you can help on this so that we can determine if we need to expend the resources to get this done or nix the activity if unnecessary.
A15) We will be requiring the use of a buddy tag to check in to the swimming activity. Swim checks will need to be done prior to the Jamboree since we do not have the facilities at the Jamboree to conduct them. Of note, the swimming pools are “shallow” – no more than 4 feet deep and so those classified as “non-swimmers” can go swimming. It does not appear that boating will require the use of buddy tags. As to the swim checks, boating’s answer was: “As all jamboree scouts must be first class or above they should be swimmers and that works for me if the scoutmasters concur. “
Q16) Does Subcamp 14 offer prepared coffee for the Scoutmasters and ASM's? i.e. are we welcome to walk to the subcamp dining facility to fill our coffee cups?
A16) Jim Thalacker (Sioux Council) will be serving as our Subcamp 14 Staff Dining Officer. He will be doing everything in his power to accommodate all adult leaders (troop and staff). This being said we may not have a final answer on this question until arrival at the jamboree. During past jamborees our electrical supply within Subcamp 14 made it extremely difficult to power large quantities of electrical cooking equipment, especially coffee pots. We may not be able to provide coffee for all adult leaders until after about 9 a.m. when the staff breakfast has been completed. If you need your coffee in the morning I would plan to pack a coffee pot and coffee for use within your troop campsite. It also provides a nice way to get to know your neighboring troop leaders.
Q17) Regarding gateways, there are comments about "no electricity". I understand that we can't "plug in" our gateway, but does this also rule out solar powered embellishments.
A17) I see no problem with solar-powered embellishments.
Q18) I understand that there were some serious logistical issues regarding food at the 2005 Jamboree and this affected what was availableversus what was planned. Previous Jamborees provided certain staples to the troops to keep in the chuck boxes to supplement the boys. Such items included peanut butter, jelly, bread, etc so that finicky boys could still get nourishment and there was something available between meals for boys who burn lots of calories. Do we expect such items to be available this year or should we make our own arrangements? I believe in 2005 our troop went something like four or five days before we saw our first loaf of bread.
A18) Hopefully this troop wasn’t in Subcamp 14 in 2005 because we had ample supplies available for distribution early in the jamboree. Joe Cordie (Central Minnesota Council) will once again be serving as our Subcamp 14 Commissary Officer. Joe has prided himself on his ability to take care of our troops with extras (bread, peanut butter, etc.). There are no guarantees until we arrive at the jamboree and develop our “resources”, but Joe will definitely do his best! (Also seeother related questions on this page.)
Q19)I have a youth with food allergies that are so severe, that he will be providing his own food for the entire Jamboree. Will it be possible to store any of his perishables in the subcamp refrigerators and freezers? If not, will I be able to requisition additional ice and is there any availability of dry ice to help keep his food?