Jamboree on the Trail is this May 12th. It’s the day before Mother’s Day. It is also an unofficial International Scouting event. As with all things Cool, it started up in Canada and progressed around the world. For the past several years I have tried to make this event happen for the Pack. Last year, I was at Gilwell Field for Woodbadge 2011. The year before just did not happen since I forgot.
This year, I put it on the calendar and made it happen through the Cubmaster Hike program that I started. The first hike was great. The Elk Rock Island hike will be on the Willamette River in Portland, OR. With the description of “The island represents part of an ancient volcano that erupted about 40 million years ago. The large, jagged rocks (Waverly Heights basalt) found throughout the island were formed by lava flows, and may be the oldest exposed rock in the Portland area. The island contains seven distinct habitats, including wetlands, forests and grasslands.” I figured that this hike will be very cool. What boy wouldn’t want to hike on a volcano and lava flow!
So, what does Jamboree on the Trail or even just getting outside for a hike really do? First, it gets everyone OUTSIDE into Nature, in a place that you might not have gone to before! It’s different. This gets back to the book “The Nature Principle” by Richard Louv. Through that book and websites, this program of Cubmaster Hikes is helping me get myself outside as well as my family. Again, I go over Leave No Trace principle and get to point out plants, animals and other objects that the boys might not know about.
What else does this do for your Cubscout program? It could count for a Hiking Beltloop, Cubscout Outdoor Activity, Naturalist Activity Pin, Geologist Pin or Beltloop, the Leave No Trace award, Geology, Geography beltloops and many more. Another item that this will help with is the Journey to Excellence for your unit. If you offer a quality program, for your Unit, it will keep Scouts, and attract others to it.
So, go out and have fun. Find a place that you have not gone to, or a place that is your favorite and invite the Den or Pack to come along.
Thanks! We’ve just had a family return from the USA and their oldest sun was a Cub for about 8 months in the BSA program. Am sure we’ll see how he goes – last week was his 1st week so will see if he returns ( hope so).
Also, thought you might like to also have a look at the following link as well. Several programs from previous years on it as well if you are intrested in having some program resources and stuff. http://www.scoutsinactionweek.com/
Awesome! Thanks so much for your comments! Love what you do DownUnder! We actually have an Aussie and Kiwi Dads in the Pack here! Plus a UK/Canada Dads too! Small Commonwealth! Look forward to seeing the photos. I will post a recap as well.
YIS
I’m from Mawson Lakes Scout Group, in South Australia. We have brought our Jamboree of the Trail forward a week, so we can take part in a state (Banch) hike on the 6th of May. This way, we can tie the two events into one. The Branch Hike information can be found at http://www.cubscouts.sa.scouts.com.au/events
We will need to take photos as part of the activity and so we will be getting Wilbur (our Pack mascot) to do a write up on his page about the activity. http://wilbarandfriends.blogspot.com.au/ is the place to visit next week after I’ve done the write up
Reblogged this on Lewis and Clark District Committee and commented:
Jamboree on the Trail? What a cool idea!