Unlike yesterday, today was filled with activity from end to end.

I was up at the usual time, and headed to breakfast not long after seven, then returned to camp, took a shower, checked my messages, sent a few messages and emails, and then headed for the far side of camp to the Faith and Beliefs area. On the way there, I stopped at several tents and earned patches from the National Park Service, got my scouting belt branded with (part of) the 2026 Jamboree logo, talked to some folks at the Sea Scouts tent, checked out a couple displays, and watched the Jamboree band. At the Faith and Beliefs area, I earned patches (and other things) from several places, including a few extras to give away to friends at the American Legion. At the Jewish tent, I was given the privilege of reading from a copy of the Torah, and by the end of my time in that area I had my “patch sheet” signed by at least seven denominations, which earned me yet another patch for my collection.

At that point, I looked at my watch and realized that I only had 20 or 25 minutes to get back for a meeting (and ice cream) so I speed walked back. Even though I arrived a little late, I still had plenty of time to get in line for ice cream, watch an awards presentation for base camp chiefs (snore), and then stand for a group photo of our Contingent Operations team.

Once I returned from that, I got to sit down for an hour or so before I had to head over to Delta Medical for my shift at the hospital from four to eight. While there I talked with a number of young people who had been injured as well as their friends who found themselves stuck in a waiting room for an hour or two. I also spoke with a few of the hospital staff (what they do isn’t easy) and a couple parents of injured scouts. Once I completed my shift at the hospital, my friend Terry drove me to subcamp Echo where Josh, my Chaplain’s Assistant, was receiving a certificate along with a few other young people designated as “Aides to Chief.” While I arrived towards the end of their meeting, they were appreciative of my being there and of my mentoring of Josh for the last two weeks. Then, before it got too dark, Josh and I hiked back to our home at subcamp Delta Two. Overall, LOTS of miles walked today.

Tomorrow, we will be allowed to bring our vehicles to our subcamp from the faraway parking lots where they have resided since we arrived two weeks ago. In the afternoon there will be more group pictures, and in the evening we will have the big concluding stage show. At least one of our scout troops will leave for home after the final show, others will leave starting around five in the morning and, if all goes well, all of the scouts will be on their way home by lunchtime. Both during and after that, we have equipment that must be packed up, and other things that must be done before the area is declared “clear” and we are given permission to go home.

In any case, that is what we *expect* to happen. It remains to be seen whether it actually will work out that way.

Meet me back here tomorrow, and I’ll let you know.

Blessings,

Pastor John