2017 JAMBOREE STAFF BULLETIN #1 — December 2014
As one of those who completed the 2017 National Scout Jamboree Interest Survey for Volunteer Staff, we wanted to give you some early insight into how 2017 Jamboree preparations are progressing. This is the first in a series of staff bulletins that we will issue for that purpose. We’ll do our best not to pepper you with communications or make these bulletins too lengthy. That said, if you have a particular topic you’d like to see covered, email your suggestion to 2017Jamboree@scouting.org.

With that as background, here’s your first staff bulletin. Enjoy!

Jamboree logo and theme announced
The BSA has officially released the logo and theme of the 2017 National Scout Jamboree. The theme, “Live Scouting’s Adventure,” and the logo symbolize the adventurous spirit and exciting opportunities that will be available at the 2017 National Scout Jamboree. If you look closely, you’ll also notice a shout out to the jamboree’s new home, The Summit Bechtel Reserve, by way of a subtle SBR embedded in the logo.

Jamboree top leadership being assembled
The Jamboree Executive Committee has been established. The 2017 Jamboree Chairman is Ralph de la Vega. His four group chairmen are Dr. Glenn Ault (Western Region), Administration; Toby Capps (Western Region), Base Camp Operations; Ray Johns (Northeast Region), Logistics; and Russell Smart (Southern Region), Program. All four group chairmen are in the process of assembling the top leaders within their groups. To date, more than 68 percent of the 215 top leadership positions have been filled.

Improved staff experience a key focus area
For those of you who staffed the 2013 Jamboree, you know the challenges we faced during our first jamboree at The Summit Bechtel Reserve. One of the Executive Committee’s first actions was to publish a commitment to an improved staff experience for 2017. You can find the commitment itself here (http://summitbsa.org/events/jamboree/volunteers/ ). Here’s a quick update on progress in each area:

• The staff transportation plan will include the following core elements for on-site transportation:
  • Continuous shuttles around Justice Heights—staff only.
  • Shuttles during program hours along the road between The Park and The Barrels— open to all.
  • Staff shuttles in the morning and evening to Adventure Zone sites, similar to 2013.
  • Staff shuttles in morning and at supper time between A/B and E to allow on-duty personnel to get to the E dining hall—staff only.
• Meeting our time-off commitment is directly related to our success in recruiting. Recruiting for the top leadership is well underway. Filling all staff positions will require all our help.
• The Administration Group is finalizing the communications strategy. This first staff bulletin is a component of that strategy.
• Refinements were made to the lunch menu during the Summit’s 2014 program year. That menu will continue to be refined each program year prior to the 2017 Jamboree
• Pre-selection of staff tent-mates will be allowed up to 30 days in advance of the Jamboree, as promised.
• Solar thermal options to raise the temperature of existing Summit showers are being explored by the Summit staff. A test of potential solutions is planned for the 2015 program year. 
• Laundry service will be supplied as in 2013.
• Staff photos will be provided through a contract arrangement. Purchase will be at the individual staffer’s option.

Key dates announced
Below is a listing of key dates to assist with planning for the 2017 Jamboree:

2015

• January: Preliminary jamboree information will become available at bsajamboree.org
• April: Staff applications available online
• May: Youth participant and adult leader registration opens

2016

• January: Youth scholarship forms become available
• January: First payments due
• July: Second payments due

2017

• January: Final payments due
• April: Medical forms due
• June: Staff arrival begins
• July 14-16: Staff arrival period
• July 19: Participant arrival

Additional staff bulletins will be published periodically to keep you informed of jamboree
developments. You can also monitor bsajamboree.org for up-to-the-minute status on the jamboree. You can also get answers to specific questions by emailing 2017jamboree@scouting.org.

We hope to see you as a staff member in 2017!