I went to a Jamboree at the old site at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia years ago. Even then the bigger guys in the troop had real difficulty hiking around between the various events spread around the massive expanse of the jamboree grounds. This new jamboree site seems way more strenuous than that.

 

That said, I've seen some pictures and videos of the new scout reservation in West Virginia and as someone who's been to the New River Gorge on several occasions, those who are there are very fortunate. Spectacular place with a lot of great stuff going on.

 

Have had texts and FB messages from our scouts and other than lightning warnings holding up some events they are having a blast. One thing missing in all these stories about discriminating against obese scouts is the fact that all these scouts and leaders, many who have paid several thousand dollars to attend, are spending one of their ten days doing volunteer work, often very strenuous work. The state of WV will get hundreds of thousands of volunteer man hours out of the National Jamboree. But I have yet to see that reported anywhere.

So then why didnt these kids get in shape before this event? Its not like they got there and found this out right?

 

I agree.

But weight loss and getting in shape is not easy, but certainly doable. I think it's especially difficult for obese youth. Their self esteem takes a huge hit, they are probably teased, and food becomes their comfort. They usually lack the maturity to stay strong mentally and keep the willpower over temptation.

 

It's sad. But success is certainly possible, as 75center described with his son.

 

Have had texts and FB messages from our scouts and other than lightning warnings holding up some events they are having a blast. One thing missing in all these stories about discriminating against obese scouts is the fact that all these scouts and leaders, many who have paid several thousand dollars to attend, are spending one of their ten days doing volunteer work, often very strenuous work. The state of WV will get hundreds of thousands of volunteer man hours out of the National Jamboree. But I have yet to see that reported anywhere.

 

Boy Scouts are expected to do community service work. It would be kind if like reporting on the sun rising and setting.

Boy Scouts are expected to do community service work. It would be kind if like reporting on the sun rising and setting.

 

Yeah, I'm sure that's the reason the MSM has not mentioned it in all their coverage about an old policy on weight limits in high adventure activities.

 

Yeah, I'm sure that's the reason the MSM has not mentioned it in all their coverage about an old policy on weight limits in high adventure activities.

 

They don't mention it because it's not news. Everybody knows the BSA does community service. Same reason why college town newspapers don't report on the community service projects that fraternities and sororities do.

Right. Several hundred thousand volunteer hours for WV in a single day is not news but an old policy is. Keep telling yourself that. Also, I read in my kids college town papers on a regular basis about Greek service projects.