07/29/2023
Borrowed from another page, but very accurate and could be helpful!!
Dear Parents
“May I have your attention please...this is a Jamboree Advisory notice...”
Given a Jamboree is a major experience in any Scout’s life, the experience can sometimes produce side effects. However, with consideration of the following information, you should be able to successfully re-introduce your Scout to non-Jamboree life.
1. If you hear noise in your kitchen very early in the morning and rise to discover your Scout lined up in front of the fridge or food cupboard, with the garden wheel barrow or a trolley and their Grub Master App open and ready to go... do not despair. Gently take your scout by the arm and lead them back to bed, explaining that it is no longer necessary to queue for the issue of breakfast rations at 6am.
2. If your Scout slings a towel over their shoulder and walks out the front door do not worry. Wait in the bathroom until they have returned after a walk around the block. When you hear them re-enter the house, let them see you step out of the bathroom so that they think that they have found an empty shower cubicle. You may also gently point out that it is no longer necessary to visit the showers in a group; other family members may find it uncomfortable to be followed into the bathroom at shower time.
3. Just to note: you might also find that turning off your boiler so that the shower is cold will help your scout to adjust slowly - they have discovered that this is the best way to wake up in the morning and that warm water is overrated!
4. Please also do not be surprised if you wake to find your bathroom/toilet door removed and a shower curtain replaced... your scout has found that curtains, magnets and wind make for a very interesting bathroom experience and may want to continue this rather than go cold turkey with a solid door and a lock!!
5. Do not worry if you pass the toilet and see your Scout pacing around in front of the door. This is merely a protective instinct and probably means that a friend is using the toilet. The experience is unlikely to be harmful.
6. When going about in public with your Scout please ensure that they know that they may wear clothing of their choice. Scout Logo-free t-shirts, sliders, skirts and jeans are now fine, and a Necker & lanyard is not needed although removing this from your scouts neck may require a pair of medical gloves and face mask- (some may need a neck brace to support as the absence of anything around their necks may now cause the head to flop!)
7. Any curfew imposed from this point is a family matter however your scout may beg to be allowed to go to bed whilst asking what the plan is for the morning, who’s cooking breakfast and what they need to pack in their day bag... just calmly say goodnight and they should go willingly.
7. Try to harness the newly created urge your Scout will have to move around in a group of four or more people. You may not need to find babysitters for any younger children for many months to come.
9. You might also find it useful to pair up your family members so they move about at all times in twos - this is called the buddy system and when accompanied by a set of pegs and a board will help to suppress any separation issues! (Please note the pegs are not for hanging out the washing... ask your scout!)
10. Also, try to harness the urge they have developed to cook for everyone else in the family every third or fourth day however you will only need to provide them with 3 - 4 ingredients as they have become masters at creating a menu from beef burgers, tomato sauce, wraps and cabbage, and Pop tarts are not just for breakfast - you can provide them at any time especially long car journeys.
11. If your crockery and cutlery is looking tired and you are thinking of getting a new set then have no fear - your scout is used to constructing their plates, bowls and cups before each meal so provide them with plastic or paper and you will be impressed with their origami skills.
12. Explain to your Scout that the muddy puddle in the back garden is not ‘Challenge Valley’, and that dragging their siblings through it would not be welcomed although Go-Carts May now come back into fashion as long as they are yellow with little steering and no brakes!
13. If your scout breaks into interpretive dance moves when any song plays on the radio - do not be alarmed and you are encouraged to clap along. Your scout may also shout loud chants and rhyming raps to absolutely everything you say, this is completely normal and however annoyed you may get - never show it, as this can encourage louder shouting or mimicking of your voice. Embrace the chant and join in... its the easiest way! REMINDER : the word Jamboree will ALWAYS be followed by a very loud unison JAMBOREE!!! You have been warned!
14. If you have ever struggled with feeding your Scout fresh vegetables and fruit then NOW IS THE TIME... having not experienced much of this throughout the jamboree they will be craving it and SUGAR is sooo last year!
15. Sprinkle dust and dirt on their clothes each day with a little suncream and mosquito spray, gradually reducing the amount until you have them used to wearing clean clothes again.
16. If a thunderstorm occurs do not be surprised if your scout rushes to the nearest garden shed or under the nearest gazebo... you will be able to coax them out with a cinnamon pop tart whilst repeating the words (in a high pitched female American accent) “May I have your attention please... This is a lightening advisory - ALL CLEAR ALL CLEAR!” But give it 30 minutes just to be on the safe side!
17. There is no harm in your Scout sleeping on the floor for a few days after the Jamboree. Just add more padding under them each night until they are happy to use a normal bed again.
18. Although your scout may have spent a small mortgage on snacks, souvenirs and scout items they may want to open a bank account with the remaining 1 dollar they have left and start saving for 4 years time.
19. During a fine weather evening you may find your scout outside the front of the house on the pavement with the kitchen table and all their personal belongings spread out... don’t panic - this is trading stall and your scout is harnessing their entrepreneurial skills - just check that they don’t have your most prised antique on the table too!
20. When leaving the house your scout may start looking for a peg. This is called 'pe***ng out'. This can be discouraged by quietly reassuring them that you know where they are going and will know when they will be back.
Finally, whilst opening their overflowing holdalls and newly swapped backpacks ready for the industrial sized laundry wash **HEALTH WARNING** : make sure you wear a nose-clip and protective gloves and a jet wash in the garden may be necessary!
After all that.... be prepared to give your Scout lots of sympathy, love, and encouragement. After all, spending 10 days straight enjoying and challenging themselves doing incredible activities and meeting some amazing people from across the world has been very very taxing.
Good Luck!
