Have Scouts... Will Camp....

This weekend was full of fun. Everyone got to camp excited for what was to come. Camp was set up faster than anyone expected, and we were able to get started on activities immediately after. We got our mess kits, learned about safety around camp, built rockets, and swam in the pool. Thanks to lifeguards Rudy, Trevor, and Alex, everyone passed their swim tests. Bobby and Keet were such advanced swimmers, they took their swim tests with syncronized swimming. After wrapping up the swim checks, everyone had tons of time to have fun in the pool and... under water.

Dinner of beef stew, mashed potatoes, and salad gave us all the energy we needed to participate in a campfire. The Watchmen, Cookie Monsters, Dragons, and Los Guerreros had fun performing songs, skits, and readings for the adults and siblings in the audience. Everyone left the amphitheater and went back to camp for a cracker barrel of cookies and hot chocolate. As the parents started to leave, the Scouts climbed into their tents for the night.

An earsplitting air horn woke up everyone in the campsite. After a quick breakfast of cereal and muffins, camp was packed up. With rocket launching on our minds, we worked as fast as possible.

With all the gear in the trucks, we went rocket launching. Ironically, the Flying Turd had the best flight, and the pencil couldn't get off the pad... (but it still looked cool Paul :D) Others, like the Banana, made the leaders a little nervous ☻

After getting back to the meeting spot and unloading the gear, we dispersed. Congratulations Noah for the Scoutmaster's Knot for the campout!!

Gettin' Ready

Tonight's meeting felt like we were going to a funeral.... just kidding! it was just the boxes that we will use to transport our gear resemble coffins. We went to work right away, setting up the biggest EZup (which wasn't so easy to get up) that I had ever seen. Assembling this giant piece of equipment took up most of the meeting. For the first time, we all got to see the design being used for our gateway, which will be assembled on April 10. The troop is really bonding now as is evident by all the jokesters. See you all this weekend!

Unlost

Full Day!!! Unlost was by far the best activity we have had to date. We stated off picking up our jackets, and then trying to figure out how to work the ticket dispensers. Thanks to Evan's button pressing job, everyone got their tickets on time.

Once we arrive in L.A. the subway was the next form of transportation that was nothing short of fun with a seemingly messed up throttle. We then boarded a bus and were dropped off at the National Cemetery where our first order of serious business took place; the election of Troop 812 Senior Patrol Leader. After the brief speeches, the Scouts voted, and in the end it was tuba player, motivated Rudy S. who came out on top. Congrats Rudy! One of the most interesting parts of the day was at the cemetery, when the patrols split up to search for different soldiers' headstones and present what we found to the troop.

After taking the bus and subway back, we all had food on our minds. as we exited the subway station, the smell of warm foods wafted around our noses. One block later and we found ourselves in line at Philippes restaurant, wanting only to lay our hands on the soaked bread of a famous French Dip sandwich. We stuffed ourselves with some of the best meat, bread, cake, and even baked apples!

With our stomachs full, everyone walked another block up the street and came to Olvera Street. We walked up and down the street, stopping to look at what vendors were selling, and after a couple hours of shopping, the Scouts took a break at the top of the street where performers were dancing.

A couple more pictures in the train station and it was back home for Troop 812. A special award, the Scoutmaster's Knot, was handed out to Haiden for exemplifying the best Scout Spirit on our activity. Good Job Haiden! A quick motivation check (CHECK!) organized by our new SPL, and then everyone dispersed.

To all of the adult leaders who made this trip possible, THANKS! Everyone had a great time. For some of us, it was the first time travelling on a train, subway, or bus, but for all of Troop 812, it was a fun learning experience that only made us more excited to get to Virginia!

11/19/2009

Sorry for the late post!!! It's been a busy couple of weeks. So.... Last meeting was important for the members because, instead of hearing about past Jamborees, everyone got a sense of what a modern Jamboree is like. Scouts Dennis Maccarthy and Evan Seacrist spoke to the group about their experiences from the 2005 Jamboree. They shared with us places they went, such as the Empire State Building, Ellis Island, Times Square, and Boston. Their stories made us even more excited to start out on our own adventure. "You will learn how to sleep sitting up reall well," says Evan. After the question and answer session about Jamboree, the troop split up into patrols and started a game of tug-of-war. Some patrols struggled while the others pulled with ease. The meeting ended with a ScoutMaster's Minute. Another great meeting Mr. Mac!!!

...And it keeps getting better

Our second meeting was even better than the first. As the Scouts of Troop 812 arrived, they were given a word search of places that we will see during the Jamboree. To name a few, Times Square, the White House, and Ground Zero.

The best part of the night was the guest speaker who went to the 1953 Jamboree. If he was able to do all of the fun things he described, imagine what the 100th anniversary will be like! And maybe, 56 years from now, we will be invited to speak to a Jamboree troop about our experiences.

The meeting wrapped up with a game of jump rope. Although not everyone was able to get in, it was a fun attempt.

I had the opportunity to talk with Mr. Mac. Here are his responses to the questions:
Q: What is your favorite part of Jamboree?
A: "My favorite part of the Jamboree is getting to know the boys."

Q: What do you want the boys to get out of the trip?
A: "More than anything, I want the boys to come away with life long memories."

Q: What are you going to do differently this time that you did not do the last time you went to Jamboree?
A: "The biggest change is going to be the emphasis on the boys getting to know each other."

Q: Any personal comments?
A: " I am feeling a lot of energy from this troop. The personalities seem to line up really nicely."

812 Investiture Ceremony & Spaghetti Dinner

Tonight was the perfect ceremony; meaningful, heartfelt, and memorable. Thank you to the Scouts who came out early to help set up, and thank you to all of the families who donated the auction items. Dinner was fantastic, and I am now inspired to go out and watch more soundless videos ☻. Mr. Mac, Mr. Markstrum, and Ms. Seacrest, the neckerchiefs and slides, songbooks, and certificates look awesome. For the families that came out tonight to support us, thank you. This was an amazing start to what will be a fantastic adventure. If you would like to follow this blog, click the "follow" button to the right ------►

Our Journey has Begun

For the first time, the Scouts of Jamboree Troop 812 met each other at our first meeting. We had a quick "Icebreaker" activity in which Scouts had to go around to other Scouts and find out what everyone's favorite thing is. The list contained colors, food, restaurants, and sports. Next, we went outside and did a quick run-through of what we were going to do for the investiture ceremony. Once we were back inside, the Scouts all participated in a team building activity in which we flung tennis balls, basketballs, and footballs from the tarps that our temporary patrols were provided. This is going to be a fun troop to go to National Jamboree with.
"A chain is only as strong as its weakest link" (I can tell that Troop 812 is going to be as strong as they get)