Daily Blogs by Peter Ferris

Peter Ferris is the father of Duncan Ferris in Jamboree Troop 1633. He served on the Commissary Staff in our sub-camp and paid visits to our campsite. Amy Peck and Bob Perkins and Grace Davidson are other parents of Scouts that served on Jamboree staff. Peter wrote a daily blog for Troop 42 parents. I want to share them with everyone. This entry is huge! To see other entries use the directory on the right-hand side of the blog, about half-way down

Day 1, 26 July 2010‏

Hello Troop 42!
Well the boys arrived today around 11:00 am as part of the 52 Troops that are part of our Camp (Camp A, Sub Camp 16). Sub Camp 16 is nothing but Texas Troops.
The weather here is great, the high today was about 90 and it should get down to about 65 tonight. The 100 plus degree heat we saw last week did not show itself today. Some of you may have heard about Scouts experiencing heat exhaustion in the parade in DC. Our boys were not in that parade, it was mainly local Troops. Our boys are doing fine as far as I can tell. Also, the rain has stayed away from the Jamboree site so far.
We have been diligently prepping and working out any kinks in the camp before their arrival.
You will all be happy to know that the boys are not allowed to leave their camp without their water bottles and there are constant reminders over the PA system, adults and staff to hydrate at the rate of 1 quart of water per hour. This goes along with wearing sunscreen and a hat.
Amy and I were part of the welcoming committee and spent all day meeting buses and directing Troops to their campsites. Grace was moving through the camp helping direct as well as watching for hydration and keeping up morale.
Our boys arrived in good spirits and after unloading all their Troop gear proceeded to set up camp. They were issued their lunches and by the evening their camp was completely set up with the gateway, tents, etc.. By 7 pm they were fixing their dinner and getting recharged. While they were setting up, Army Sky Divers jumped from a helicopter and landed in the camp. If this wasn't enough there was a live band performing for about an hour this evening and then some of the Raven Cheerleaders showed up to pose for pictures and sign autographs. I will let each family determine if their son has new "friends" on Face Book or have a "hot" screen-saver picture on their phone. I assure you none of the adults took notice as we are focused on your sons and their health, happiness, and safety.
I want to also let you know that we are not always aware of media coverage or actions in all parts of the camp. News travels slow so please do not expect the BSA equivalent of a CNN update. Harry and Brian have the provisions in place to get you important news as soon as they get it, we only work off of facts. Hopefully, by the time you get my update the facts have been sorted out.
Yes, the boys are taking showers and getting ready for bed on their own. I was walking the campsite this evening just to say hello and saw many of our boys already trading patches, playing cards, or just hanging out and talking. They have had a whirlwind tour the past few days and I heard more than one boy say, "I didn't know Mr. Bubeck could walk that fast".
I am composing this after taps (10:15 pm). I went over to the Troop area around 11 and there was not a single light or person to be found. They were all out cold recharging for an action packed day tomorrow.
I hope this update satisfies your curiosity. Please write any complaints or suggestions on a $20 bill and send it to Peter Ferris at the BSA National Jamboree.
More to come, but I'm off to unload a truck for the boy's meals for tomorrow.
Good night/morning,
Peter

Day 2, 27 July 2010‏
Hello, Troop 42!
Well taps has just sounded so day 2 has come and gone and these guys are becoming Jamboree veterans. After breakfast they cleaned up their mess gear and area and headed out to explore the Jamboree. Brian, Harry, David and the other Scoutmasters kick the boys out of their campsite and they are not allowed to hang out or return until mid afternoon. This is not really an issue but there is always one or two with their own agenda...I know none of you know what I'm talking about so I guess that observation only pertains to my son!
The boys are in good shape. From the time I spent in camp today, about an hour all told, there did not appear to be any health issues. Summer Camp in Texas prepares you for the blistering 95 degree days and 65 degree nights in Virginia. We got a 20 minute drizzle that actually did a great job of dampening the ground to knock down the dust and cool things off about 10 degrees. You couldn't ask for better conditions.
The boys are getting into a routine of exploring the sites. The Jamboree is broken out into three "Action Areas" that have the same basic displays such as Pioneering, Shotgun Shooting, Mountain Boarding, Archery and others. It is about a mile and a half walk from Area "A" to "Area "C" ("B" is in the middle). The unique areas near our camp are related to the Order of the Arrow...OA Mysterium. I'll let the boys explain it when they get back but my understanding is it a combination of Video Gaming, Scout Skills and Scout Virtues. It is only for the boys, adults are not allowed to partake.
The arena is near Area B along with the Merit Badge Midway. Tomorrow the boys pick up their breakfast materials between 5 and 6 am because they have to be heading out for the Opening Ceremony by 7:20. The Ceremony lasts from about 8:30 to around 11:00. I'll fill you in on those details tomorrow.
As for the first full day, many of the boys had plenty to do exploring our area but others have done basic reconnaisance into Areas B & C. They are meeting boys from all over teh country and even Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, the Phillipines and others.
All this leads me to my biggest observation of the day. Many of you have probably heard of the phenomenom of "Patch Trading". This is something you have to see to believe. I can best describe it as a combination of New York street vendors and a Turkish bizarre. All the little merchants have their plot of earth marked with a towel or their "collection" and are trying to make the best deal they can. The main criteria is find what you like and get a good deal (i.e. more than one patch and if possible a "complete set"). As in most things some boys are better than others and some could care less. The cool thing about it is the boys are all having a great time meeting others and making memories. I am convinced that these "treasures" will end up in shoe boxes all over America but woe be to you who throws these away. They will need them again in 2013 where the value of the "Centennial Patches" have gone through the roof and are now worth twice as many patches!
Thanks to Harry, our boys are well educated and well prepared for this endeavor and appear not to have many bad trades. Texas is popular in Areas B & C.
If your son dabbled in this BSA free market enterprise simply ask him if he did any patch trading and then ask him to explain what he got and what he traded for it. It will border on the tales of Marco Polo and the spice trade as they return home with treasures from far away places. As a parent it is like watching the magic of Christmas through your son's eyes hearing the significance of the patches and why it is such a great deal...you remember, the "cute years", when whatever Santa brought him was exciting...ah the sweet days before the man child that now lives in your house showed up!
All this being said they are doing much more than just "Patch Trading" so have no fear, they will not come back with a bag full of patches and no uniforms. Also know that unlike Summer or Winter Camp this is not about Merit Badges either. Here they are "Free Range Scouts" having the time of their lives with no TV or video games just great outdoor experiences. They will be reigned in for the proper time to trade and spend more time at the exhibits as their spheres of interest expand.
They are also growing as leaders as they tackle their Troop responsibilities and become more self sufficient and confident as Scouts.
It's midnight, Wednesday's delivery is here, and tomorrow is another big day so that's it for now.
Until tomorrow,
Peter

Day 3, 28 July 2010‏
Hello All,
Today's update is coming late because this is my day to work 24 hours in the Comissary, your sons' grocery store. I don't pick the food I just deliver it! Tell your son to come complain to me in person if they have a problem with my service, I need to know when we can get his next Scoutmaster conference scheduled in early 2012...ha! Amy and I only get about 3 hours sleep due to deliveries and staging everything for each Troop. The boys' needs keep interfering with my personal time!
Well, Day 3 has come to a close and the boys are out after a full day that started at 5 this morning. I don't think they even waited for taps.
Today was the opening ceremony. The boys had to get up, eat and be ready on the road at 7:30 for the mile and half walk to the arena. It was amazing to see over 45,000 Scouts and Scouters from about 900 Troops. Some were in "zombie mode" as they became a river of khaki heading to the arena while others continue to have unlimited energy. The walk was not that much of a challenge due to the morning coolness. There were water stations about every 100 yards where bottled water was being dispensed. Once we got to the arena we were directed to our area. Every 20 feet there was a case of bottled water so not only hydration not an issue but it reinforced the seriousness of drinking water.
You may have heard that President Obama was not able to speak to the boys. I think many of them were hoping he would but he was replaced by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. He was very inspirational because he actually was an Eagle Scout who had attended the 1957 Jamboree. He spoke from the heart and personal experience.the boys appeared to enjoy it as well. There were several other speakers, some better than others and a lot of patriotic moments. Miss America spoke and began by welcoming "all you young women". The boys were good sports but they were starting to get tired of everyone celebrating the 100th for them. Try having your son sit on a grassy hill for a couple of hours in the sun and talk. It ended on a high note with more parachutists followed by howitzers accompanying the combined bands playing "the 1812 orchestra".
To the organizers the guns signified the end of the ceremony, to the boys it was a starter pistol on steroids. Well behaved but ready to go, they hit the road to explore new parts of the Jamboree. The now seasoned traders began peddling their wares to a new customer base en route to new exhibits and displays. Across the Jamboree you can hear the radio station QBSA "The Eagle" playing music. While the mix is nice and varied it seems that Journey's "Don't Stop Believe'n" gets played every 90 minutes. This "Glee Phenomenon" hit it's apex for me on the hike to the opening ceremony when I had to listen to a choir of tone deaf pubescent males screech the lyrics for about an hour.
The boys are getting around on the buses, meeting Scouts from other areas and broadening their horizons. The Patch Trading is still going strong but it is now becoming more of an activity that leads to queries such as, "what's that area like?, where are those Troops from?, etc.
Rain continues to threaten but has stayed at bay.
It has taken me almost 18 hours to compose this so I will close for now. If you have any complaints about my correspondence skills please write them on a $20 bill and send them to Peter Ferris, Sub Camp 16, BSA Jamboree. If you want your complaint to move up to the top of the list I suggest larger denomination stationery.
Until Tomorrow,
Peter

Day 4, 29 July 2010‏
Hello All!
Another day has come and gone. I am running on raw energy after my shift but you are not reading this to find out how my day has been. I've been meaning to speak to most of you about this because quite frankly it hurts my feelings. My therapist says it will be OK if I just relax as I cry myself to sleep instead of desperately hoping some of you will eventually like me. Alas, I digress.
Today was actually a more typical Jamboree day. The boys started at the regular their time and I saw several of them this evening when I went over to their camp. As I am writing this there are about 300 boys next door in the Staff dining hall watching "National Treasure" The population of Sub Camp 16 is about 2300. We would probably have more but it has been raining intermittently during the day. Most of the day has been in the middle to low 90's. It rained for about 20 minutes this afternoon around 1 but it was welcomed by the boys. Any excuse to get soaking wet and cool off or to "have to" strip off their shirts appears welcome. It is actually fun to see this generation enjoying the simpler things in life.
From a leader's perspective the rain has kept the heat casualties down to a minimal count. To my knowledge none of our boys have had any issues. As for our Camp the bigger issue is the dust and its affect on the kids with asthma. The other thing is there have been 17 cases of ingrown toe nails. The medical team consists an ER doc and two Podiatrists so we are covered.
Our stage continues to get some of the better venues. This afternoon Jeff Gordon and Dale Ernhardt, Jr. were there for a couple of hours talking with the boys, signing autographs and having their picture taken. Even though these guys are big names in NASCAR I don't think any of the boys were wearing "racing stripe" underwear since they appear to be doing Field Laundry on a regular basis. For those of you unaquainted with this it consisits of a 5 gallon bucket with a toilet plunger acting as the agitator. They basically churn butter, then go into rinse mode in two other bucket.
After dinner an effort was made to set the world record for the most people playing with a yoyo. If I heard the facts correcty, the record was about 800 and we had about 2000 so I think we own it for the moment. The boy swere focused on the free yoyo.
The Patch Trading continues but they are now on the hunt to complete sets or find an elusive patch or patches.
I heard today that many of the boys in our Troops were selected to participate in the Closing ceremony on Saturday. Don't get confused. The Jamboree does not end on Saturday it is just when visitors can come and observe. Their role has been choregraphed by a guy from Disney and I am told it is a series of body movements. I will pass on the website where you can see their performance as soon as I have the info. They are part of a group of 300 that got chosen for this based on signing up for the opportnity.
I went to the Camp tonight after the boys had completed their "Iron Chef" competition. I do not know how that all went down since I got over there as they were cleaning up. There were small groups doing a variety of things from football to playing cards and talking. They were all in good spirits as usual. I happened to show up with a case of "extra" Danishes that we had in our Commisary that needed to "find" a new home.
I am running on fumes and heading to the showers to sleep the sleep of the weary. Tonight's load is coming in and I don't want to get asked to volunteer!
Best Regards,
Peter

Day 5, 30 July 2010‏
Hello All!
I didn't get a chance to do this last night because I did my Brotherhood walk for the OA. Yea, I know what you are thinking, "good for you Peter but what about the boys?". Before you know it they're going to start making all this Scouting stuff "all about the boys"! I thought it was about the cool uniforms, colorful patches and BSA bling! If you visited any of the trading posts you would think it ONLY about the BSA bling! I see eBay and PayPal making a tidy profit in the coming months!
I can't believe I've been here 10 days, even though the boys have only been here 5 days.
Last night, me, Amy and Grace got a treat. The Camp Director made the offer to have Staff members invite their sons to dinner with the Staff. They weren't sure if they wanted to miss hamburgers at the Troop but obliged their parents anyway. They were very happy to eat salad, garlic bread, and pasta with meatballs the size of golf balls. It was nice to have time with them and introduce them to our new friends. It was also meant to be a reminder of why we are here...the boys mainly saw it as a small price to pay for good food.
Well there are many changes afoot. First, Danny has given me distribution privileges so I can cut out the middleman. Secondly, Harry and Brian are updating the blog with info and pictures, and the most important change is with your sons!
The boys that arrived here 5 days ago were the ones that I knew. The ones that I am seeing now are young men. Have no fear Mom's, your boys still love and miss you but what I see are kids that have gained some confidence and may feel a little more independent than when they left. When I see them they are still in good spirits and smiling but speaking a little louder and walking a little taller.
Three years ago, if you would have told me that for just $700, plus air fare, I could live in a tent with 9 strangers (7 of whom snore) and cater to the needs of over 2000 boys, I would have just stood there and waited for the punch line. I have not only met some great people but made some great friendships. The best part is serving the boys. They seem to have a good time no matter what you throw at them and adjust and adapt with each day. They are in essence "free range" youth with a multitude of activities and they decide if and when they will do them.
If one friend doesn't want to do something with them they just find another buddy and off they go. It is refreshing to see them have this opportunity in a time where a lot of things are scheduled and they need a ride to get there. These guys are walking anywhere from 3 to 6 miles daily and still have energy to play and talk about the day back at camp. The Patch Trading is starting to settle into the "completing my collection" phase to the "I'm done" phase. Their interests have been broadening over the last couple of days to do the things that the more adventurous boys discovered earlier in the week. This is everything from "easy" merit badges (i.e. no partials) to shooting and kayaking. The shotgun and black powder are very popular since they are close to our camp. The new badge of honor is a shotgun shell casing hanging around your neck. The purpose is to let the instructor know you have had the Safety and "How To" lectures so you can go straight to the firing line. I guess the boys that have 10 shell casings get to go there 10 times faster! Like their patches, woe be to you if you throw away these treasures. TSA will be a different story if they don't pack them in their "big" bags on the truck.
There are no health issues that I am aware of at this point except maybe a foot blister or two.
The fun thing that the boys do not know happened was the Army had helicopters doing an aerial survey to make sure all Troops were away from power lines. In the process of their sweep they found that one of the Troops, in a more remote camp site, had built their own private above ground swimming pool! It was so well camouflaged at ground level that none of the camp inspectors noticed it for the two days it was up! Needless to say it is up no more!
I'll end this with the same topic that I started it with and that is the OA Brotherhood induction. I was inducted along with all our eligible boys. Over 70 Scouts and Scouters were inducted from the Mikanakawa Lodge (the OA Lodge our Troop belongs to). The most impressive part was that the ceremony was conducted and led by all Troop 42 Scouts. Whether or not your son is in OA, know that our Troop is producing leaders that others count on.
Until Tomorrow (later today actually, date wise),
Peter

Day 6, 1 Aug 2010‏
Hello Again,
Well we're back from the closing Ceremony and as the boys passed by the Commissary tent most stopped by to pick up some snacks. You'll be happy to know all we had was cheese and crackers, apples, and fruit cups. I'll go into the ceremony a little later. Today is also the day I am on duty (24 hours...with a couple of one hour naps). This one may be late getting out as I am working on it off and on.
Today the boys had a continuation of the kind of day I described yesterday. The only difference is it got cut short due to the performance in the Closing Ceremony. Most of the boys in both Troops were selected to be on stage in the bleachers. This privilege meant that they had to be on buses to get them to the Arena at 4:00 for a show that started at 8:00. The rest of us got the privelege of walking, see Wednesday's story. Same stuff, different day, this includes the tone deaf Glee fans!
Thiis exercise also continued the Wednesday tradition of "hurry up and wait". This is necessary due to the logistics of mobilizing a crowd of over 45,000 (regardless of how well behaved and polite they are!). Personally, it reminded me of my time in the Marines because it took about an hour to go a mile and a half. The weather was cool and pleasant with many commenting that this was the coolest Jamboree they had ever attended. Previously, they had stationed water along the route and then placed it every 20 feet in the arena. This time was different. They had twice as much water on the route with cases of water double stacked every 20 feet. All this meant was that I had to go to the "plastic sweat locker" to dehydrate (if you know what I mean) twice as often. As the show was getting ready to start mist became larger drops and we were sure we would be rained on. It turned out to be Virginia condensation that continued ittermittently throughout the show.
Now I'll cover the high lights of the show based on feedback from the boys. Some of you may have watched it on the link I sent out. Harry said they sent it out as well but I do not know if it is archived for play later on. Rest assured that the BSA will find a way to put the 100th anniversary spin on it. If this stays true to the doctines of patch trading and the contents of the Trading Post then, "this is a limited edition offer that has not been availabe for the last 5 years and you wont get an opportunity like this for another 3 years!" . The coup d'grace will be that, "this is the last Jamboree held at Ft. A. P. Hill! Hurry now, their operators are standing by and if you order now you'll get 4 Centennial Sham-WOW's!, one for each Patrol cook box! Just dial 1-800-BSASTUFF!".
On with the show. We began with Presidnet O'Bama giving an opening address. For whatever reason he could not attend, I am OK with it because I am told, when President Bush (43) attended in 2005 there was heightened security, the boys could not bring back packs, there was no pre-staged water, they had to arrive sooner to clear secuity, and the heat casualities were high. This exercise is still referred to as "The Death March".
After that guess what we saw, if you were to guess Parachutists you would be correct! Back to the high-lights, Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs (an Eagle Scout himself) spoke about trying to get Clean removed from the Scout Law since boys get dirty dooing Scouting! The boys loved it! Later, they were shown a video of the new Jamboree site in West VA. for the 2013 Jamboree. This is BSA property and is being designed from the ground up. Look it up on the web is is called "The Summit".
Towards the end a band called Switchfoot performed. It was rock and the boys went ballistic! The lead singer worked and walked the crowd. If you have ever been to a concert then you know when a band does a good job of involvung the crowd. We also discovered a new way to find all the boy's cell phones. When the lights were off you could see a sea of small screens recording this in stills or movie form. Check YouTube for BSA Jamboree and Switchfoot.
When everyone finished thanking each other (like a Blue and old Banquet gone awry) they closed with a 20 minute fireworks show! Let them tell you how it was but it had everything a boy could want, approval to get dirty, explosions, rock music and the promise of a new place to play that is a 8 hour train ride from the nearest airport/parent!
While our boys were chosen to perform and got bus rides there they had to trade their "rubber wheels for rubber heels" and hoof it back home. Brian, Harry and the other leaders did a masterful job getting them all back safely aroung midnight. Like snack frenzeid moths to a refrigerator light they were drawn to the Commisary tent where they knew Amy and I happened to be on duty and would have snacks available. Like well mannered sharks circling their prey, they waited for a bucket to appear that interested them and politely asked if they could have some, quickly followed with a, "can I take some back for my Patrol or my friend?"...believeable?...I'll leave it up to the parents to decide!
Well it is an early day tommow because everyone is going to Church. Yes, a Scout is Reverent but if you know the Scout Law then you will also know that Obedient and Cheerful come before Reverent which means Attendance and Happiness are mandatory for all Scouts!
Continue to to think kind thoughts of us on the Lord's day as the leaders begin comparing notes to calculate the return fee for your son!
Finally, I know the blog is now more active and pictures are beginning to flow but I have included a link to the local paper that has been covering the Jamboree. Look at picture 4 of 71 from the local paper that has been covering the Jamboree and play "Where's Waldo?". If you can't find Waldo you might find your son...hint, he is the one with the khaki shirt with his arms in the air!
http://fredericksburg.com/topics/boy_scout_jamboree/jamboree-pictures-day-1/index_html?qstart=4&s=L
That's it I've been up since 6:30 am Saturday morning and it is now 2:30 am on Monday morning. I'm still having fun and so are the boys.
Enjoy,
Peter

Day 7, 2 Aug 2010‏
Hello all!
I am rested and ready for typing. The weather continues to be fantastic! We are getting to the point where we a in the low 80's to high 70's. Night is in the mid to high 60's. Park close to the gate at the airport, the boys may not be able to make it to your car without a bottle of water and a rest break.
The morning started off with a full breakfast to help make up for all the bagged food they got the night before due to the Closing Ceremony.
Church started at 9 as scheduled. Going to Church was optional for all the boys. They could go to any worship service they wanted but they all went to one. The Lord must be pleased because we continue to have magnificent weather! Only at Jamboree can you get a 100th Anniversary BSA bible and a patch for attending! Rumor has it that some faiths will feel more guilty that others if they trade these patches so I think these are just keepers.
The term circulating the camp for patches is "PLOP", People Like Our Patch. Ad hoc design committees are being discussed as are marketing ideas and strategies. I'll leave it at that but suffice it to say that when I asked the group that I was with if they were ready to go home they all said "No!, we were still having a great time!". Not that they don't miss all of you but for many, this is a freedom and independence they have not experienced before.
I know I talk about "Patch Trading" in some form or fashion in most updates but it is now just a "buzz" and not the all consuming activity it was earlier. Clearance sales, finding that last elusive patch, and desperation trades are taking place as the end is in sight.
Know that the Troop leaders have kicked the boys out of camp after breakfast every day and they have to go out and explore every day. The group dynamics change each hour as boys link up with their buddies that have similar interests or goals.
There has been live performances every evening at the stage by our boy's camp. Last night it was a band that was playing everything from Led Zeppelin and AeroSmith to Abba and Gloria Gaynor. I kept thinking there was a couple of bands but it was just that one. After that, the girl that was the warm up act for the Closing Ceremony performed. She did the same songs but she is very talented and easy on the eyes so the boys liked the more personalized performance. A Scoutmaster asked if she had traded patches with any of the boys, she said, "No, but I have gotten 27 phone numbers and two marriage proposals tonight!".
The dinner the boys cooked tonight was Asian Stir Fry. Don't let these guys tell you they can't cook. I heard some were actually quite good and others had Plan B...a PB&J sandwich.
Today is the last full day of the Jamboree, tomorrow is camp tear-down, packing, prepping, staging, and loading so the boys are making the most of this last day. They no longer pay attention to the helicopters overhead and know all the tricks of optimizing their time.
That should cover it for now, no need to be redundant, but I did remember to do spell check before I sent this one.
Until tomorrow,
Peter

Day 8, 2 August 2010‏
Hey Quad Deuce!
I was so tired that I did not realize that there are 31 days in July so I have the days in the right sequence but I messed up the calendar dates. You know the drill for submitting complaints.
I think all the pieces are in place for the boys to get a hint that this is coming to an end. Tomorrow is the last "Program Day" and they have to be back in camp by 3:00 to start their tear down. They will be sleeping under the stars tomorrow night since the buses start arriving around 6:00 am. Our boys leave between 8 and 9.
The added incentive is that everything that is temporary structure like the showers and latrines are approaching the end of their useful life having supported over 2000 boys and young men for the past 10 days.
With each round of new information, finality is in the air. You should take this as a wake up call that your son is really coming home. To that end, reality has to set in for you as well. All his stuff that you moved into the attic or garage to make the "new spare room" into a media room, weight room, etc. has to be undone. I know you missed them for the first couple of days but now that you have gotten used to a glass of wine after dinner, catching a show, letting the siblings "borrow" what they need and researching the value of his clutter on eBay but it is time to get ready for this triumphant return.
I will try to inject humor into this next part but at the core I am serious. His re-indoctrination into the family and society is not a 12 step program but it is a process. Your son has grown a lot in the past two weeks, he has done a lot and seen a lot becoming more self sufficient in the process. He has been in an environment that was devoid, for the most part, of electronic stimulation. He has learned to listen to his body and become self reliant while still having to be part of a team.
You all know your child better than I do but he has changed, hopefully for the better. We all know that experiences like these last a lifetime. I am pretty sure he will not want to sleep on the floor but don't be surprised if he stares into his dresser or closet when you tell him to get dressed, he has not had to make a fashion decision for about two weeks..he may stick with earth tones for a while. Please remind him that the toilets and showers are in the house and he does not need to take a buddy. There is a chance that your alarm may go off about 2:00 am the first couple of days after he gets back...have no fear he is just groggily going to the latrine...old habits are hard to break. Do Not, I repeat Do Not, use terms like "KP" or "Mess Duty" around him. He knows how to cook and clean but this but this was not his favorite part. If you want more out of him when doing his chores you may offer a patch as motivation but also know that after dinner he will want to trade so make sure you have your own!
On the more serious side, I recommend you leave the TV and video games off for a couple of days, they've survived just fine. As I said in an earlier update, ask him to show you what patches he has and ask what makes them so great. Have them explain Patch Trading to you and if you want, just follow the sequence of my updates and you can walk through the Jamboree with your personal host and hear about it from their his perspective, I know that is really what you want anyway. I'll tell you now, you will look at some of these patches (if not all of them) and simply say, "I don't get it". You need to treat this as the equivalent of an impulse buy or someone that collects thimbles or spoons of the world, it makes them happy or "you just had to be there". As a parent I treat it like my son's preschool art...those scribbles and brush strokes we proudly displayed on the refrigerator.
When school starts these, along with most of his "Jamboree bling" will be relegated to a few prizes on display and the rest in his "Jamboree box" but he will be looking for it in 2013 so mark it well. I don't mean to ramble on about patches but this is the conduit for numerous memories and personal victories. It was also a way to explore the entire Jamboree as they followed their quest.
The weather continues to be amazing.
I have done a lot of things in my life including living like this for a lot longer than two weeks but it is so rewarding to literally watch these guys mature and "figure it out" before your eyes because unlike a weekend camp out they have to adapt and hopefully the good part sticks. If any of you want to come in 2013 it is well worth it. If you do, let me tell you a great place to work is in the Commissary, you are 24 hours on and 48 hours off, you get to see a lot of boys and you have time to go visit the Troop and see the Jamboree.
The job you really don't want is Environmental Officer. This sounds like you are in charge of "Leave No Trace" or raising awareness about plants and animals. Don't fall for it, what you are is the guy in charge of a big industrial garbage disposal, affectionately called the "pig". The "pig" will eat anything. After EVERY MEAL the boys come to you with buckets of slop (uneaten food, waste water, etc.) and you are there waiting in your "pig tent" wearing a plastic apron and face shield and pour the contents into the "pig". The guys are good sports about it. One knew what he was getting into while the other had no clue. I'll let you do the math if all 52 Troops each bring 4 buckets after every meal. On the nights that we gave the boys cucumbers or other things that they didn't want the "pig" ate well.
Tonight is their last night in tents so tomorrow it is under the stars, as I mentioned earlier, just another adventure.
Day 9 will be my last update but I wanted to get this info out in this update. I know you are looking forward to seeing your son.
Until tomorrow,
Peter

Day 9, 3 August 2010‏
Quad Deuce!
I'll keep this short! The boys are sleep under the stars. They get up at 5, eat, change into their uniforms, and load the big bags and then get on the buses. 1633 leaves around 8 and 1632 leaves around 9.
Your son's are definitely ready to come home because there is nothing to left to do.
I hope you have found my updates informative and entertaining, if not, come take the job...ha!
Remember the Boy Scout Motto...Be Prepared...reread yesterday's update and do likewise.
Thank you for being part of the Troop 42 family and supporting your son's development towards an honorable manhood.
Until 2013 (or whatever comes next),
Peter

Day 10, 4 August 2010‏
Quad Duece,
Sorry to break my promise and send another e-mail but I wanted to let you know the boys got rained on last night so they are a little sleep deprived and damp. We moved them into the Commissary tent along with about 100 of their new best friends. There was lightening and thunder within 10 miles and that's the rule.

I don't know if Virginia was sad to see them go or the the collective smell of active boys impacted the atmosphere, either way their clothes were dampened but not their spirits!

Just thought you should know.

Now I'm off to my vacation. See you in a couple of weeks.
Take Care,
Peter