MERIDIAN —     As the camp setup was complete, the boys got around to the first full day of the Jamboree this week.

    The consensus was, "We love it!"

    A big surprise has been the overwhelming popularity of patch trading.

        A wise old scoutmaster, Mr. Ken Little once told me that patch trading was big at National Jamboree. WOW, as usual, he was right!  He said "whether you've ever been a patch trader or not, at Jamboree, EVERYONE is a patch trader."

    Everywhere you go, everyone you meet wants to trade patches. Already, there are patches that are especially popular and difficult to get. The more popular your patch, the better trades you can get. Fortunately, troop 1516 has a great patch, which is very popular this year.

         The patch is a design which combines elements of popular culture (which makes patches more relevant to the boys), and local Meridian ties. In the case of this year's special edition council strip patch, there is a "Guitar Hero" theme, with a Peavey guitar — since Peavey is based in Meridian, there is a train steaming up the tracks, drawing on the historical significance of trains to Meridian's development. The typeface on the patch is similar to the video game "Guitar Hero."  The patch has become known as the "Peavey Special Edition Guitar Hero Patch," at National Jamboree, and as you can imagine, it is now a "must have" patch for many. 

         It is difficult to describe the enormity of the event, and all of the activities that are available. Tuesday our troop went to the Technology Quest, which had demonstrations of scientific principles, robot construction, and Rhett Spivey and I even go to walk on water. Well, it wasn't just water, but a special mixture which increased it's density just enough that you could walk on it if you moved your feet quickly.

         Afterward, several members of the troop, including Andrew Culpepper, Jacob Follin, Ross and Lee McCarty and Ryan Barnett, enjoyed riding BMX bikes on a specially designed course and followed that up with rock climbing.

        You want extreme sports? Jamboree's got 'em! 

        We haven't even tried the "Mountain Boarding" yet, which is described as "off road skateboarding" or "snowboarding without the snow."

         Others experienced "The Mysterium Compass" an event run by the boys of the scouting honor society, the Order of the Arrow. The event is a quest to learn more about yourself. It featured great acting done by boys and full sets with props, lights, fog machines, music, sound effects, and much more. 

        Jesse Seale said, "It was a way to help you find a good direction in life. It's been my favorite thing at camp so far." 

        Kelso Fisackerly said, "It was awesome! Plus, it was air conditioned!"

         We've really only begun to scratch the surface of all the Jamboree has available, as most of us haven't even left our subcamp area, yet. There are three more subcamps to visit with more activities as well.