National Jamboree - Days 8 & 9

I have a lot of catching up to do. There is so much going on and this place is so big!

 One of the events we were scheduled to do is the Technology Area. We had to hike 45 minutes to reach the Technology Area and the last 10 to 15 minutes was up the side of a mountain. The Technology Area was a really neat area. They had a NASA display where we could see images of the sun and its solar flares from satellites orbiting the sun. Lego had display on robotics where you could play with Lego robots. A NASCAR area allowed the boys to build a BSA NASCAR that will be raced. There were telescopes binoculars, games and so much more. After a few hours at the Technology Area the boys started to drift down to other activities.

In the last few days three of our scouts were able to ride the Big Zip. The Big Zip last for just 45 seconds but is the 5th largest zip line in the U.S. and the boys traveled at up to 65  mph as they zipped down the mountain and across the lake.

Some of the scouts have been down to scuba. I was told the scuba pools are temporary this year and only 4 feet deep. Even so the scouts who have done it seem to be glad they took the time.

Yesterday was the big closing show. I know we aren't leaving yet, so I was also wondering why the closing show was so early. I don't have an answer for that question. The  closing show was supposed to start at 7 pm but was moved to 3 pm due to a forecast of threatening weather. 

We ended up being seated in one of the worst areas  in the stadium. We were placed right behind one of the big screens used to project the show for those further back. We could not see the stage due to the screen so we had to watch it on the big screen. I would have preferred to see the stage and a screen.Oh well! The music was loud since there were also speakers located by the screens.

We got to hear an excellent speech by Mike Rowe, the star, of Dirty Jobs. He said, too often we are taught to work smart, not hard. He referred to a story form his youth when a counselor told him that's what he should do. He suggested maybe it should be work smart and work hard. He also thinks that the Boys Scouts "get that". 


The band that performed at the big show was Three Doors Down. I think just about everyone in our group knew some of their songs. It was a really good rock band with some big hits. I was very pleased with their performance. 

Due to the fact that the show was moved up early, there were no fireworks because it was still daylight. We returned from the closing show and were in our campsite about 10 or 15 minutes when one of the biggest storm thus far at the Jamboree hit. We had heavy rain and gusting winds. We even saw a few tents get flipped over in the wind and the boys ran out to catch them. I guess those boys didn't stake their tents down right. None of our scouts equipment was damaged and no one complained of anything getting wet. 

That night we had stir fry chicken for supper and everyone turned in to bed at 10 pm.  We have been having a bit of a rough time being camped next to the restrooms, because others are coming to the restroom to shower after 10 at night. Due to our proximity to the restrooms we hear everything, and I mean everything!