NSJ 2010 Bulletin

March 2009 Bulletin

There is room for you!

As of the end of February 2009, we now have more than 18,500 youth members who have signed up online for the 2010 National Scout Jamboree. That number was just 10,000 in December of 2008. That means that more than 140 scouts per day are signing up for the jamboree. Although that looks great, we have not come close to filling the jamboree. That’s almost half of our 2010 allocation for youth members. We have room for 925 troops each with 36 youth members and four adult leaders. Encourage those interested to go online and register now. This will be a wonderful, exciting, and historic jamboree. For those councils who have already filled your allocation, have waiting lists, and want additional troops, contact your regional office jamboree coordinator. There may be some additional troop allocations available to your council.

Again, the biggest issue with the jamboree application process is the way the MyScouting accounts are being created. As it states on the log-in page of MyScouting.org, "all jamboree applications must be submitted from the MyScouting account of a parent or guardian." (MyScouting accounts can be created by parents/guardians even if they are not registered with the BSA.) Some accounts are mistakenly being created with the youth’s BSA member ID number in the profile. This will result in an “invalid member ID number” error. While some councils are close to completing their recruiting efforts, most have not. Council recruiting success stories often revolve around some type of jamboree rallies for recruiting new participants, however, nothing takes the place of recruiting “one on one” by jamboree adult leaders. The following are some ideas your council may want to use to promote the jamboree.

• If you need additional jamboree promotional materials, the video, or the jamboree brochures, contact your regional office. The video is short, and has great pictures of the 2005 Jamboree and ideal for use at troop meetings and summer camp. Boys’ Life’s own Pee Wee Harris is talking to his friend about the jamboree. As he is talking, 2005 Jamboree highlights are being shown.
• Most councils are publishing a monthly jamboree newsletter on their council Web page. Each Scout and troop leader should have timely communication about the jamboree. Parents should know when their payments are due and exactly what kind of supplies and uniforms are required for the jamboree. There is no requirement for participants or staff to wear the new uniforms introduced in 2008.
• Emphasize new program features of the jamboree. There will be a new shotgun “five stand” along with the new Mountain Boarding program and, of course, the incredible 100th Anniversary arena shows that are being planned.
• Talk about the entire contingent trip including any side visits to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York, etc. as part of your council’s jamboree experience.
• Assist parents who have questions or trouble with the online registration process. Council coordinators should feel free to contact the Jamboree Department at 2010jamboree@scouting.org for questions concerning the registration process.

For further information please visit www.bsajamboree.org
Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 Philmont AA '08