For Scouts, Jamboree Feels Like Home

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Jul 30, 2010, 08:38 ET

FORT A.P. HILL, Va., July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- For millions of Americans, the term "Boy Scout camping" evokes images of tents dotting the woods and kids roasting marshmallows over a campfire. But for the almost 35,000 Scouts and adult leaders who have pitched their tents at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree, camping is not without some of the comforts of home.

Coming together for just 10 days, the jamboree itself is the size of a midsize Virginia city—and just like in any city, Scouts will have good food, wireless access, shopping, and daily postal service to help keep them comfortable while they create memories for a lifetime.

For many Scouts and leaders, eating away from home for 10 days is a new experience. To make sure their meal options are healthy and fun, officials have been planning jamboree menus for over a year and a half. Patrol menu options include stir fry, burgers, and tacos for dinner and French toast and pancakes for breakfast. As a special treat, Thursday night is Iron Chef Night, where Scouts will be given surprise ingredients to prepare their meal, just like on the popular television show.

"We needed to make sure that jamboree meals were nourishing for teenage boys, but also wanted to make sure the menus were fun," said Dan Zaccara, chairman of the jamboree's Food Service Group. "We've got better food than you've seen at previous jamborees, and we're offering expanded and enhanced options to make sure the Scouts enjoy their meals."

At the jamboree, Scouts can stay wired like never before. As the exclusive communications sponsor of the jamboree, AT&T built a wireless network that provides its network coverage for cell phone users and free Wi-Fi access across the site. Additionally, six Connection Zones scattered throughout the jamboree site allow Scouts to charge their phones, get online, and even call home for free.

Daily mail service is available for friends and family who want to send letters or packages to the troops. The United States Postal Service has established a post office on site and expects to deliver nearly 45,000 pieces of mail during the jamboree. With regular mail service on hand, Scouts have no excuse not to write home.

"For some of these boys, this is the longest they have ever been away from home," said Stan Carita, official jamboree postmaster for the USPS. "They come back to camp in the evening and they are tired, hot, and worn out. Getting some mail from home perks them right up."

For participants and volunteers on site and an expected 200,000 to 400,000 visitors over the course of the jamboree, three trading posts have been stocked with everything from collectible jamboree patches, commemorative hats, and T-shirts to daily sundries like soap and shampoo. If a Scout is looking for something special or forgot to bring something important from home, chances are it's in the trading post.

"Every jamboree is a memorable occasion. As the BSA's 100th Anniversary celebration, this one is more so," said Arline Harris, Marketing Team leader for the BSA's Supply Group. "Some of these boys will pass these patches and collectibles down from generation to generation."

About the National Scout Jamboree

Since 1937, the National Scout Jamboree has provided unforgettable experiences for more than 650,000 Scouts and adult leaders. More than 2.9 million youth are members of the Boy Scouts of America. More information on the 2010 National Scout Jamboree is available at www.bsajamboree.org.

AT&T Official Exclusive Communications Sponsor of the Boy Scouts of America's 2010 National Scout Jamboree

SOURCE Boy Scouts of America