I have decided to make an attempt at posting daily, or as close as possible, updates to what I actually do as a chaplain at the National Scout Jamboree. Clearly, as a play on the Star Trek phrase “Captain’s Log” I am shamelessly naming this series, “Chaplain’s Blog.” In any case, today is my first official day at the Bechtel Summit in Glen Jean, West Virginia serving on the chaplain’s staff. Even so, my preparations started months ago in certifying or re-certifying a number of required trainings such as inclement weather, child protection, mental health, and a few others. For the last few days, I was retrieving camping supplies, cameras, flashlight, and other things that get put away around the house and at work when I am not at scout camp. Yesterday, I even spent an hour or two in the driveway replacing the electric drive on a rear window of my pickup truck and then cleaning out all the stuff that normally resides in the back seat but which I won’t need here.

So, this morning, although I had set my alarm for six, I was awake and moving by five-thirty. I did the usual Sunday things, shower, shave, etc., but then finished my final packing of my shaving kit and all of the chargers for my electronic devices (like phones and my cochlear implant). I had breakfast, picked up a soda, and loaded the truck by 8:30, and was joined by Josh (age 21) from our church’s Troop 50 who will serve as a Chaplain’s Assistant. We departed and headed for the Jamboree some time after 9:00, stopped at Subway for lunch south of Charleston, WV, and arrived here shortly before 2:00 pm. Then we waited in line for an hour or so at the Welcome Center to get our jamboree credentials and a few other things. The drive from registration to our subcamp (Delta Two) took us through the New River Gorge National Park but we were here in 20 minutes or so (it’s a *really* big camp).

We got our tent assignments, unloaded the truck, and then I drove to the far side of the camp to my assigned parking lot. Since I was one of the first to arrive at the distant overflow lot, it took a bit to figure out where we were supposed to be, but we got that sorted and then I hiked two or three miles back to my tent. But, just as I arrived (now it’s around 6:00 pm), the rest of the staff was leaving for dinner, so I hiked up the hill (another half mile or so) to the dining hall. By the time we were done eating, it was time to head over to the next subcamp over (Charlie Two) for the first of two offered Protestant worship services (there were also two offered Catholic services). Once that was over, we walked back to our tents and finally just sat, hydrated, and caught up on messages and social media.

So, now it’s after 10:00 pm and Day One is over.

I realize that this series isn’t likely be terribly exciting (but you never know), but I’m hoping that this will offer some insight as to what I do, and by extension what chaplains generally might do when we volunteer and sleep in tents for two weeks serving at the the National Jamboree. Hopefully, we will meet back here tomorrow.

Blessings,

Pastor John

PS. The photo above is my place of residence for the next two weeks.