Dear Followers, I apologize that I was unable to get this posted last night. The free wi-fi has has not been as reliable as it could be, so the blog would not save. Here is what I put together last night:

It is 10:15 p.m. and at this moment the contingent scoutmasters and senior patrol leaders are in a meeting learning about how the subcamp operates and some of the program opportunities for the week. The are all tired and ready to hit the hay as is the staff after a long day of entry and set up for the fabulous 2010 Jamboree. They have heard from the directors of program, communications, health and safety, commissary and the medical team. So much to cover !

For many of our commissioners the day began at 4:00 a.m. They helped set up the entry area for the troops. Other commissioners and draftees made the trip to the gate to greet each contingent bus and begin the check-in process. Each scoutmaster was quizzed about the current health of their group to be sure that no contagious illness entered camp. About half of our 65 troops checked in through medical without a hitch and went straight through registration. Others had relatively minor issues with forms and physicals and registration issues. But all and all it was a smooth process. (Well, except for the buses that were mistakenly sent to the wrong gate by a trying-to-be-helpful state trooper.)

The following slide show depicts the arrival/check-in and set-up process of the troops. The buses arrived of the buses at one of three or four gates. Some had equipment trailers already in camp, others had trucks awaiting their bus. The military uses this whole Jamboree experience as an "exercise". They don't expect to sniff out anything with their drug dog, or see any stowaways or explosives beneath the buses, but it is considered "practice" for them in case one day they needed such an operation. The commissioners on board fulfilled some pre-paperwork with the scoutmaster and directed the driver to the camp. The boys disembarked took off their uniform shirts and proceeded to unload and then make camp (this happens to be the Westark Area contingent from Arkansas). With this group there were no medical issues to contend with, so when Scoutmaster Chip Marrin presented the perfectly done paperwork for his troop he was bowed to! The medical staff had just checked in a troop with issues and were pleased to have an "easy" check in.

Always concerned with health and safety, the troops were instructed to drink a bottle of water right away and fill their water containers so they would have more. Along with that they were instructed to erect their kitchen flies so they would have some shade.

Each camp of course has a gateway, some Arkansas gateways are pictured here, along with the pirate-themed gateway for a Florida troop. I will try to get shots of some more, soon. Other photos show leaders checking in and staff adjusting check-in packets to reflect the right
numbers. And finally some of the Westark group having their first dinner in camp.

Things were cranking up all over camp. Many scouts ventured out to explore a bit before dinner. The post office received a huge number of packages and letters to be sorted.

Then this happened.....

This temporary disaster occurred late in the afternoon when a water hydrant was broken off. We had our own geyser for about 30 minutes while we scrambled to get the base maintenance folks to shut down the water for a bit. Unfortunately this event took place right at dinner time and caused somewhat of a headache as boys tried to refill their water to make dinner and wash dishes. Fortunately the fix took far less time to cap than the oil spill in the gulf! Sadly, the boys had to be kept away from the refreshing water plume because of power cords on the ground nearby. Too bad. Temps were "only" into the upper 80's, but that was hot enough, considering the work the boys had to do to set up.

Stay tuned for more excitement tomorrow as the boys get their first full day of exploring their new neighborhood!