SCOUT-O-RAMA 2008
GENERAL INFORMATION
SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2007 FROM 11:30 AM – 6:00 PM
SPRING LAKE PARK IN TEXARKANA
For 2008 – Scout-O-Rama will be held at Spring Lake Park in Texarkana and will feature an exciting new format. The theme for Scout-O-Rama is “Service Through Scouting” with special emphasis on outdoor activities, Scoutcraft, pioneering, and showmanship. Scout Troops will be able to camp at the park on Friday and Saturday Nights and participate in a special campfire program. Every unit is encouraged to plan an outdoor exhibit to share crafts, games, Scout skills, pioneering, and all around fun with scouts and visitors. The Conifer Council Girl Scouts will also be a part of this event and will participate in all activities including camping. This should be a super event with a “mini-Jamboree” style atmosphere.
Plenty of Outdoor Exhibit space or activity area is available for your unit exhibit. Some space may be subject to some restrictions, but sufficient areas are available. There will be limited covered space available for units that want to do Cub scout age crafts or games. These are available on a first come-first serve basis.
The Council-Wide Pinewood Race will be conducted under THE BIGTOP at Spring Lake Park. Check In is 9 – 11 A.M. The race is open to all cub scouts, but is limited to the first 64 Scouts to physically turn in their cars beginning at 9:00 A.M. Once the first 63 cars have been registered, the rest of the cars will be entered in a single elimination run-off race for the 64th slot. This way a greater number of scouts will have an opportunity to participate in the race. Cost for the race is $3.00 per car.
There will also be special demonstrations, stage shows, vehicle displays, and participation activated throughout the Scout-O-Rama. You will receive maps and programs upon arrival at the park. Some activities planned include archery, canoeing, fishing, COPE style challenges, civil war and mountain man reenactments, police and emergency vehicles, the Petty family racecar, and Order of the Arrow dancing.
EXHIBITS AND JUDGING
Outdoor areas will be available to accommodate any size exhibit. Limited covered booth space will be approximately 12’ by 12’. Units will need to furnish all props, materials, tables, chairs, and dining fly or covers. Each exhibit will be judged be an impartial committee using an Inspection Form. The best exhibits should feature activity and visitor participation. This year’s theme is “Service Through Scouting,” extra points will be given for exhibits that reflect Service. This is not limited to pioneering, camping, and Scout skills. Games, nature, athletics, conservation, and many other activities are all outdoors related, and can be geared to show Service Through Scouting.
There will also be a Dutch Oven Cooking Competition on Saturday evening, so plan your favorite dish and bring all the fixins'.
CHECK IN
Check in at the Council Service Center – Friday 5-9 P.M., and at Park Headquarters, Saturday 7:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. One person from each group needs to check in to pick up maps, schedules, and directions.
OPENING CEREMONY
There will be an opening ceremony at 11:30 A.M. at the portable stage area. Units are asked to send representatives with American flags and unit flags. After the opening ceremony the flags should be with the unit exhibit.
Units will furnish all necessary props and equipment to be used in their exhibit. Moving equipment and material into your exhibit area, decorating and “setting up” will be accomplished between 8:00 and 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, April 14. Once intact, each exhibit will remain fully manned and equipped from 11:30 until 6:00 P.M. Bring your unit and American flags and stands for your exhibit. Units should prepare a display sign for their exhibit that includes the unit number and Chartered Partner name, you may even want to put it up a gateway. A sufficient number of scouts should be present in the exhibit at all times to carry out the game, demonstration, or skill that is your exhibit’s subject. At least one adult leader must be present at the exhibit at all times. Unit leaders should schedule their scouts in shifts to allow time for them to visit other sites at the show. Think safety at all times. All props and materials will need to be removed from the demonstration areas immediately following the show.
While you should be able to drive directly to your demonstration or camping site, we ask you to move your vehicles immediately after unloading and park in designated areas. No long term parking is permitted at the program areas.
Only pre-authorized commercialization will be allowed. Distribution of business leaflets and advertisement is prohibited. There will be food and snack booths in the park and some memorabilia, craft items, and Scout-related merchandise will also be available for sale.
All Troops and Crews are invited to camp in the Park on Friday and Saturday nights. Webelos only may camp if invited by a host troop. Cub Scouts cannot camp at this event. Standard BSA Camping Policies apply regarding adult leadership, safety, sanitation, and behavior. Campfires and cooking will be allowed; however, units should follow “Leave No Trace” guidelines. Long-term parking will be in designated areas only.
There will be a camp-wide campfire program Friday evening. Each unit should com prepared to do a skit, song, or other appropriate program. All participating units are also asked to bring some sort of food for a giant cracker-barrel to follow the campfire program. This should be a super old-fashioned scout hoe down you won’t want to miss. There will also be a special program for units that stay Saturday evening. Please annotate on your Scout-O-Rama application if your unit plans to star both Friday and Saturday nights, the approximate number of campers you will have, a contact person for camping and for Webelos, which troop you will camp with.
A special Scout-O-Rama patch is being designed for this joint scouting event. They will be available for a minimal fee at check in and throughout the show on Saturday at the park headquarters.
There will be a Council Station set up near the activities area for information, first aid, lost & found, and security. Please refer to your maps you will obtain at the Scout Service Center when you check in on Friday night or Saturday morning. The enclosed map is from 2005 and shows approximate locations. There will be changes so be sure to pick up your new map at check in.
There will be worship services held Sunday morning at the Park. Troop Chaplains and Aides will meet Friday evening for a briefing on scout participation in these services.
NOTE: In case of SEVERE WEATHER the Scout-O-Rama will be postponed to a LATER DATE. Check with the Council Service Center if you have any questions. Also, please check the council website at caddobsa.org for information and current updates on Scout-O-Rama 2007.