If you’re coming to the 2013 National Scout Jamboree, you’ll have a chance to live that dream at The Canopy. Seriously. Check out the video above for a taste.

Built by Bonsai Design, the eight courses of The Canopy feature more miles of zips than any facility in the world. In addition to all the fun that comes with 48 zip lines and eight skills stations, this tree-to-tree adventure is a great way for Scouts and Venturers to connect with geology and ecology among the hemlock, oak, birch, and hickory trees.

So come take flight on The Canopy this summer. May all your dreams come true.

Do you go for The Canopy, The Zip, or The Ropes?

The post Secret Life Of Birds: The Canopy Construction Update appeared first on Summit Blog!.

It’s going to take a bunch of dedicated people willing to help out to make this year’s event shine.

That’s where you come in.

We’re putting out another call for dependable Scouts to join the ranks of the jamboree staff and be part of the first-ever jamboree at the Summit.

Head on over to bsajamboree.org to register.

The post A Scout Is Always Helpful: A Call For Jambo Staff appeared first on Summit Blog!.

We’ve sent roving reporter Haynes out in the field to answer the most common questions we’ve received on Facebook and here on the Summit Blog and captured the magic on video.

Go ahead. Watch.

Have questions about the Summit? Whether they’re about the upcoming jamboree or future programming, just ask them in the comments.

The post We Answer Your Summit Questions – No. 1 appeared first on Summit Blog!.

Ranked No. 3 in the world in total shooting opportunities, construction at The Barrels includes:

• 79 sporting clay stations
• 50 trap stations
• 20 five-stand stations
• 60 rifle stations
• 20 pistol stations
• Four steel challenge stations

There will be 233 total unique shooting opportunities to get you fired up at the 2013 jamboree and 1,333 total upon the completion of the Airsoft villages in the next several months.

Which area of The Barrels are you most pumped about?

The post Summit Construction Update: Taking Aim At The Barrels appeared first on Summit Blog!.

Still undecided? Check out the curriculum posts right here on the Summit Blog to get a better idea of what’s available. For an all-in-one view, you’ll want this latest curriculum update.

Not sure about the difference between curriculum and electives? We can help with that.

For additional assistance, contact the jambo office at 2013jamboree@scouting.org.

The post Jamboree Curriculum Sign-Up Closes May 14 appeared first on Summit Blog!.

There are tons of ways to test your marksmanship this summer at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree.

If you select this curriculum, you get a 4-hour priority access pass to all of the activities at The Barrels. Try them as often as you like.

Here’s what’s available for the 2013 jamboree:

• Shotgun shooting traps—50 stations
• Shotgun sporting clays—80 stations
• Shotgun compact clays—5 stations
• .22 caliber rifle—30 stations
• .223 caliber rifle—20 stations
• .308 caliber rifle—10 stations
• .22 caliber pistol—20 stations
• .22 caliber pistol Steel Challenge—3 stations
• 9 mm pistol Steel Challenge—1 station

Sweet, right?

Read on to find out more about what goes on at each activity.

Trap Deck

Two shooters stand on a wooden deck facing the woods while the trap machine launches two targets at a time. Using a two-shot shotgun with a recoil absorber you’ll take aim at  20 total targets while under the supervision of an instructor. Expect to spend about 20 minutes on each game. Return and give it a go as many times as you like at one of 50 trap deck stations.

Sporting Clays

This is a new activity at the jamboree that simulates hunting birds in the woods. It’s been described as “golf with a shotgun” because of the varying nature of each station. The challenge here is that the traps throw at different trajectories—crossing, divergent, parallel, etc.

In addition, you’ll have six targets total launched in pairs. The first two targets will be launched separately, the next two as a “report” pair (the second target quickly following the first), and the last two targets together. Each session consists of six stations.

If it sounds challenging, that’s because it is. You’ll need supreme focus here. You’ll also have the option to take all targets as singles.

Compact Sporting Clays

This is basically the same as having five sporting clay stations very close to each other. There are five different layouts, each presenting different targets.

Rifle

This is the first time Scouts will be allowed to shoot a high-powered single-shot bolt-action rifle. The rifles are mounted in clamps that keep you shooting in a safe direction but still allow enough movement to sight in the target 50 to 100 yards away. Your performance will be electronically relayed to the shooting position.

Your age will determine which of the three calibers—10-shot .308 and. 223, and 20-shot .22LR—you can shoot.  You will be shooting individually under the supervision of an instructor.

Pistol

This is the first jamboree where Scouts can shoot 9mm or .22LR pistols. Taking aim from beneath a purpose-built shooting deck that prevents misfires from leaving the range, you’ll fire at targets 15 to 35 feet away. You’ll have one magazine of ammunition to shoot multiple rounds.

Steel Plates

Another first for the Scout jamboree, this is a variation of the Scholastic Steel Challenge that features four layouts with five targets each. This is basically a speed event where you have to shoot and hit all five targets in the shortest time while under the supervision of two instructors, one on each side of your position.

Because the targets are steel plates, each hit results in a sharp “ting.” Although there are only five targets, you will have a full magazine (17 or 20 rounds) to attempt to hit all the targets.

Upon hitting the last target, the clock will stop and the result will be posted on a big TV screen, which will also show the top 10 marksmen for that station. The guns will be the same as the pistol discipline—9mm and .22LR.

To be able to shoot this game, you must first demonstrate proficiency at the pistol range.

Target Sports at the Summit Center

Target sports available to participants, unit leaders, staff and daily visitors at Action Point will consist of 10 Laser shooting stations and 15 15-yard 3D archery stations.

A Couple of Things to Remember

For both pistol and steel plates, only Venturers and Boy Scouts who meet the Venturing age requirement (13 and completed the eigth grade) will be eligible to participate. These are the only two shooting sports events with an age restriction.

Scouting safety protocols will be strictly enforced at all target sports activities. Please click through to learn more.  

The post The Barrels: 2013 Jamboree Shooting Sports Curriculum Update appeared first on Summit Blog!.

Staged on Mayhem Mountain, this sport is easy to learn and highly accessible to players of all ages and abilities. Plus, there will be plenty of professional disc golf staff to share their tips and tricks to make this sport even more fun.

Like traditional golf, disc golf is all about getting the lowest score, which in this case is done by using the fewest number of throws. Instead of clubs, players use specialized discs using a variety of shots including a hyzer, a helix, and a hammer. And instead of holes, players are aiming for elevated chained baskets.

Sound like fun? Then come out and get “insane for the chains!”

The post What’s The Deal With Disc Golf? appeared first on Summit Blog!.

If a program leader is organized, understands the nuances of the program and is excited to share his or her expertise, the program is on track for excellence from the word “go.”

Bobby Hermann, the disc golf team leader for this year’s jamboree, fits that description to a T.

Though Hermann didn’t pick up a disc until he was 50, it took only one session to discover his passion. Nine months later, he entered his first professional disc golf tournament.

And finished dead last.

Undeterred, Hermann went on to compete in 16 tournaments in his first year and received an invitation to the 2008 world championship where he finished in 55th place.

While the improvement was nice, perhaps the greatest thrill came from volunteering at the event. His competitive drive and spirit of volunteerism led to his current position as the Maryland state coordinator for the Professional Disc Golf Association. Hermann has twice competed and volunteered at the United States Disc Golf Championship, one of the premier events in disc golf.

Last year, after six years of pursuing his passion for disc golf, Hermann received the honor of being appointed an ambassador for Innova—the world leader in disc manufacture.

If you’re not sure about disc golf, give it a try at jamboree. If you’re thinking about including disc golf in any of your events, Hermann’s your man.

What electives are you most looking forward to at the 2013 jamboree?

The post Disc Golf Devotee: Program Team Leader appeared first on Summit Blog!.

Never heard of mountainboarding? It was voted the No. 1 activity at the 2010 jamboree. Similar to snowboarding, this elective will make you feel like a regular Shaun White, except on grass and dirt.

At the jamboree, mountainboard staff will guide you through every step of the process. Riders from beginners to veterans can improve their skills on the 60,000-square-foot dedicated mountainboard course on Mayhem Mountain.

Although you can participate in electives such as mountainboarding as they’re available, don’t forget to head over to bsajamboree.org by May 14 to sign up for your curriculum preferences.

Which activity on Mayhem Mountain is on your list for the 2013 jamboree?

The post What’s The Deal With Mountainboarding? appeared first on Summit Blog!.

The Park skateboarding haven is coming along nicely. Before you know it the jamboree will be here and you’ll be flowing over all that awesome concrete.

Did you know?

The Park is ranked number 2 in the world for total square footage of outdoor skateboarding facilities. Check it out:

• Skate assessment area—12,500 square feet
• Skate plaza—38,793 square feet
• Beginners area—10,225 square feet
• Intermediate area—16,425 square feet
• Skate bowls area—9,200 square feet
• Total area for The Park—103,993 square feet

What that means for you is tons of ways to get your skate on.

Which area at The Park are you pumped to skate?

The post Hit The Deck: Skateboarding Construction Update [Video] appeared first on Summit Blog!.