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Health & Fitness

Elective High Adventure and Technology Quest - Day 5 - July 19, 2013

High Adventure Electives and Technology Quest

 

Friday was designed to serve as a hybrid of a one-half day high adventure (or other activity) elective option followed by one-half day at the Technology Quest center.  However, Mother Nature had different plans for the day.  For a third day in a row, the Becthel Summit Reservation lightning detection system was issuing warnings about lightning being detected in the vicinity of the reservation. For the most part, the previous storms did not have too much impact upon subcamp B in terms of sensible weather, although the lightning strikes did provide brilliant after-dinner light shows with the requisite claps of thunder. Particularly close lightning strikes yielded rounds of applause from the subcamp residents.  Up until Friday, program activity wasn’t impacted in a meaningful manner, since the storms developed after the program activity areas had closed for the day. In keeping with the BSR lightning policy, Scouts were gated from the aluminum-framed dining canopies and instructed to shelter in their tents until the storm passed and the all-clear was sounded. On Friday, Mother Nature decided to send a thunderstorm directly over BSR and this time to include a 0.25-inch rainfall (as measured in our kitchen pots) within a 15-minute timeframe.  As one would expect, the program activity areas were impacted and dispersed the Scouts to seek shelter. Accordingly, our plans to convene at the Technology Quest area  were scuttled by the thunderstorm. Several resourceful Scouts did venture to the “Cloud” and take advantage of the Technology Quest feature programming once the squall line had passed. Many Scouts did manage to get in at least one or two elective options.   

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The Ridge

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Bows and Barrels contains all of the Summit’s field sports areas and is the premier shooting venue in the area.

·         The Barrels: With over 200 unique shooting opportunities, this area ranks third in the world in total shooting opportunities. Spanned across 60 acres, Scouts and Venturers will participate in programs including sporting clays, five-stand, rifle, pistol, and “Steel Challenge” ranges.

·         The Bows: Ranks third in the world in total archery opportunities, with 60 static stations, 36 sporting stations, 10 long-distance stations, and 10 sporting arrows stations. Much like the shotgun area, the new sporting arrows stations will challenge Scouts and Venturers to hit moving targets as they launch through the air.

 

The videos capture several Scouts’ shotgun experiences at The Barrels.

 

Scouts will be able to take in the Technology Quest programming at their leisure during the elective portions of their program.

 

 

TECHNOLOGY QUEST AT THE 2013 NATIONAL SCOUT JAMBOREE

Overview

After its popular debut at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree, Technology Quest returned to the 2013 National Scout Jamboree. Technology Quest is a joint effort spearheaded by volunteer staff and partner organizations that brings a dynamic and innovative science and technology program to both youth and adult participants of the jamboree. This exciting hands-on adventure features world-class technology and brings science and innovation to Scouting. Each unit has an assigned half-day session to visit Technology Quest. The Technology Quest program is at the Cloud.

Technology Quest will encompass the following broad areas of science and technology:

 Aviation and space

 Biotechnology and life sciences

 Communications and IT

 Engineering and math

 Forensics

 Physical sciences

 Renewable energy

 Robotics

 

Exhibits

The Franklin Institute: Don’t miss the Franklin Institute’s Traveling Science Show’s team as they perform an exciting compilation of science demonstrations. See them make multicolor fireballs and suspend a beach ball in midair. Experience super-cold liquid nitrogen and watch a helium balloon inflate by itself!

 

Geocaching.com and GeoScouting.com: Take geocaching to the next level with clever cache camouflage and challenging hides to find. Meet the authors of the Geocaching merit badge and see how you can use the sport to help Scouting! Enter to win a trackable 100th Anniversary GeoCoin!

 

LEGO: Come by the LEGO tent and be one of the first to try the all-new LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3—before you can even buy it!

 

Microsoft: Come experience the new Windows 8 laptops and Surface tablets!

 

Mountain View Solar: Learn about renewable energy and sustainability with Mountain View Solar and Goal Zero. Learn how solar panels react under different circumstances.

 

NASA: Scouts will engage in hands-on STEM activities focusing on remote sensing, electromagnetic spectrum, the Sun and solar observations, air traffic, and airfoils.

 

TECHNOLOGY QUEST—2

NASCAR and Team SLR: Scott “Scotty” Lagasse Jr. and his NASCAR No. 8 BSA Chevy Camaro will have a strong presence at Technology Quest and will be joined by NASCAR as they share a behind-the-scenes look into BSA Racing. Scotty will be signing autographs, talking with Scouts, and sharing his experiences with campers. Scouts, get ready to start your engines!

 

National Geographic: For 125 years, the National Geographic Society has proudly inspired people to care about the planet. As it sets out on another 125 years, National Geographic invites you to join them at the jamboree for an array of hands-on activities celebrating a new age of exploration.

 

Parallax: For 25-plus years, Parallax has provided the electronics industry with high-quality robotics, revolutionary microcontrollers, a wide variety of sensors, and a complete line of learning kits for beginners and educators. Its Boe-Bot robot is an approved platform for the Robotics merit badge.

 

University of Charleston School of Pharmacy: The University of Charleston School of Pharmacy will feature hands-on opportunities to learn how to help fellow Scouts who face an allergy or asthma attack. Scouts will view a simulation mannequin having a reaction to a bee sting or asthma attack and race each other at a quick recall station and more.

 

Virginia Bioinformatics Institute: With Virginia Bioinformatics Institute, Scouts will be battling a virtual zombie virus spreading throughout the jamboree population. To fight the zombies and save humanity, Scouts must work together to vaccinate the population against the mutating zombie virus, using smartphones or provided wristbands.

 

West Virginia University: West Virginia University will bring 10 forensic science learning activities representing six areas of forensic science to Technology Quest. Scouts will have the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge forensic science technology related to fingerprints, blood spatter, firearms, footwear, biometrics, and ALS (alternative light source) evidence detection.

 

The BSA and STEM

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or “STEM,” is part of an initiative the Boy Scouts of America has taken on to encourage the natural curiosity of youth members and their sense of wonder about these fields through existing programs. From archery to welding, Scouts can't help but enjoy the wide range of STEM-related activities. To support this initiative, the BSA developed the Nova Awards program so youth members have fun and receive recognition for their efforts.

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