July 29

Day off #2. After bandaging my sore feet with moleskin, Tyler and I were off to the Hometown News tent to get him registered. The representatives forWorld Jamboree 2011 were giving a news conference. They were from Sweden and talked about the scouting program in their country. We moved on to Merit Badge Midway and Tyler earned the Railroading MB. A huge storm hit while we were there (luckily we were under a tent). Several other storms brought lots of rain throughout the day. Its nice to have the dust settled, but there's lots of puddles and soggy ground.

Tyler also earned the Geneology MB and then met these missionaries.




~ Melanie

July 28

TROOPS marching to the Arena

All of the scout troops assembled and marched to the arena together for the Opening Show.

Melanie, Dalton & Derrik

Tyler marching with troop

Department of Defense Secretary Robert Gates spoke to the scouts about his own scouting experiences. It was a fantastic talk. The morning show was filled with military flyovers, parachute jumpers, military drill teams, buglers and more. I roamed around where our troops were sitting to make sure they were drinking plenty of water. Medically, it was a pretty uneventful show. :) The rest of the day I spent in the clinic and added a couple more blisters to my feet. All in all it was a good day.

~ Melanie

July 27

Finally, an official day off. I slept in until 7:30, took a COLD shower and then headed out to explore other areas of the Jamboree. I visited all the national, international and religious booths. I was able to earn the "George Albert Smith Scouting Award". What an honor to wear a medalion honoring this great scouter. Merit Badge Midway has over 100 boths al dedicated to the instruction and earning of MBs. WOW! There are some fun things to learn about. I experienced my first east coast rain storm. It dumps pretty fast. Luckily I was in the trading post tent at the time. Later that evening I met Tyler. I introduced him to some of my new friends and he was lucky to meet Elder Dahlquist and Elder Gibson. That was a big highlight in his day.

Tyler was able to explore the OA "Mysterium Compass" show, Brownsea Island and several other fun activities. Great Day :)

~Melanie

July 26 ~ Welcome to the Jamboree

The buses are rolling in. We started work at 6am and immediately started meeting buses of troops. The first contingent I checked in was from Hawaii and I was greeted with a big ALOHA and a lei. By late afternoon, 4000 scouts and leaders were checked into subcamps 7 and 8. As a medical team (MD/RN/EMT) we gave "The TALK" (water, ticks, cleanliness, etc) and checked each medical form before clearing the bus for admittance to camp. The medical center was soon packed with kids. Most of them had already been away from home for a week and had acquired various conditions that they wanted to be seen for (scrapes, twists, anxiety, homesick, etc.). We soon realized the need for a better screening process. We stationed our EMTs and Med Techs in the cooling tent located in front of our center. They provide first aid and screen for those that really need to be seen by a MD. We also require a scoutmaster to accompany the scout to make sure they really need medical care beyond what can be provided on the troop level. Sometimes it only takes a subtle reminder that they are all at least a first class scout and are capable of giving first aid. My "MOM" mode is a valuable tool to help some anxious, tired kids make it past the tears after a good listen and encouraging talk. It really is fun helping, but very physically exhausting. My feet hurt so bad after 16 hours of running around in the sweltering heat.
It was fun to see Tyler and my nephews - Dalton and Derrik.


Happy to be here.
~Melanie

July 25

Sunday morning we had church on a hill behind our subcamp. I'm lucky the LDS meeting site is so close. There were about 500 staff members in attendance. We had a regular Sacrament Meeting even with an organ. Jennifer Lowe, the new Venturing President, spoke first. What a great example to have a beautiful LDS young woman as the National President. She was followed by Bro. Call. He was one of the Alaska scout leaders that was injured in the electrocution accident that killed four leaders at the 2005 Jamboree. He gave an amazing talk about his experience. He returned this year as a Chaplain for the Western Region. Elder Larry Gibson, 1st counselor in the YM General Presidency, also gave a wonderful talk. He shared his appreciation from the YM General Presidency and the First Presidency for our willingness to serve the Boy Scout Program. He also asked us to express to our spouse appreciation from them for supporting us as we serve at the Jamboree. I have a wonderful husband who has willing let me go to day camp, scout camp, the Jamboree and many other scouting adventures. He also has served in the scouting organization for many years. Thank you Chris - I Love You.
He also told us about the George Albert Smith Award that could be earned by youth or adults at the Jamboree.


Here's a look at the inside of my tent. I figured out if I spray insect repellent around the legs of my cot and around my other things then the insect creatures leave me alone.

Yes, It was 110 in our tent. When we closed the flaps in preparation for a storm, it quickly rose to 125.

July 23

This morning I woke up to red ants crawling all over my sleeping bag, backpack and suitcase. YUCK!!! I don't like crawly things. Once I got all of the insects off my belongings I went to work with my crew building a Medical Center. Our exam rooms are built out of plywood, IV poles out of 2x4s and many more ingenious creations to make our center complete. Paracord and duct tape solve wonders.

We ordered an exam light and look what they sent us -

You can examine multiple things at once.

This is an awesome bedpan waterfall that one of the other medical centers created.

July 22

I went to bed at 2:00 am and was sure I wouldn't sleep at all. The next thing I know it's 4:45 am. Normally, that wouldn't be astounding, but my flight was scheduled for 5:40 am. Amazingly, I showered and made it to the gate at 5:32 am. I was lucky to have made it on the "full" flight before the doors were closed. In my hurry to board I hadn't noticed a troop of scouts from the Burley area that were already seated on the plane. When we arrived in Minneapolis, it was exciting to see 20+ other troops waiting for various flights to Washington DC. I had a great time talking with other leaders about the upcoming Jamboree. I think I slept a little on the flight to DC, because we got there quickly. I was so excited to see the Capitol and Washington Monument from the air. The hot, humid air was a shock to my system coming from cool and dry Idaho. I then took a 1 1/2 hour bus ride from the airport to Fort AP Hill. Lucky for me, it didn't take long to process my paperwork and then I was on my way to be delivered to Subcamp 7 in the Western Region of the subcamp. Unfortunately, most of the staffers for my camp had left for dinner, but I was able to find the "Women's Medical Tent". My Home for the next two weeks.
(Over the next two days my residence was moved 4 times) The showers are not far from my tent, but are the size of a camp trailer shower and usually with cold water. I then walked a mile to my dinner location and found this long line.


I stood in line for 1 hour. The heat index was "BLACK". We were advised to drink at least 1 quart of water per hour. I guarantee that I was sweating more out then a quart. After dinner I met the staff for our medical center. We have 8 MDs, 6 RNs, 6 EMTs, 2 Pharmacists and 7 support staff. All of these people paid to be on staff, provided their own uniforms, transportation and donated their time. There are 9,000 staffers. WOW!
~ Melanie

Jamboree 2010

Tyler and I will be attending the National Scout Jamboree at Fort AP Hill, Virginia. I leave on July 22 and am assigned to work as a RN in Subcamp 7. Tyler will be attending with Troop 609 from the Ore Ida Council. We have been looking forward to this for a long time.

Camp Morrison

Tyler attended Camp Morrison July 12-17. He completed 6 more merit badges bringing his total to 43. He had a great time and can't wait to work as a staff member. Chris spent one night with the troop and loved being attacked by the pesky mosquitos. Colton and I were lucky to spend a couple of days there and also had a fantastic time.

CUB DAY CAMP

New Eagle Scout

Eagle Board of Review

July 11, 2010

4th of July

Flag Ceremony at the Pancake Breakfast