NSJ 2023 - Day -3

 I say yesterday was day negative three because Wednesday, the day units arrive, is day zero. Today was the first day the majority of the Jamboree Service Team (JST) was on site at the Summit Bechtel Reserve. This includes myself. My journey started earlier in the week, though, as I prepped my clothes for the event by spraying everything with a healthy dose of permethrin. I don't mess around when it comes to ticks. 

Clothes drying after a healthy dose of permethrin

Then came the packing. I went over the list many times and packed way more than needed, but the motto of our movement is Be Prepared, and I wanted to be sure that I was. Unfortunately, I would come to learn later my shortcomings in that regard. 

On Sunday, the big day arrived. I got up at my normal time, fed all the pets, hung out with them in the living room, and then said my goodbyes to them and my wife and drove up I-81 towards the Summit. 

On the road

I took my time, mostly because I-81 is a mess of things on a good day, so it took me around two-and-a-half hours to reach the Ruby Welcome Center. Unfortunately I left my phone in the car during this part so I have no pictures, but it was a quick in and out to get registered and I was off to the south gate of the property and making my way to Sub Camp Charlie 4. Once there, I unloaded my gear and got to work helping to set up our staff tents. 

Big welcome to Jambo sign

At lunch time I realized my error in planning. Lunches were bagged and handed out at breakfast, which I was not present for. This meant I was without a lunch and had already exhausted my meager calories from the morning. I wandered up to Piggot Dining Hall and found a friendly face, asking for some extra bag lunches to bring back. 

Lunch time at C4

It was a long day of this as the tents were new to most of us and so every new group of staffers that arrived had to watch and learn. Eventually, though, all of our tents were up and we had our first staff meeting where instead of working we could sit and chat. All of this was done just in time for dinner. So we made our way to Piggot for dinner and those of us who hadn't parked our cars in the required place went off to do so. 

First staff meeting, in the shade and outside of the tent because it was cooler than inside.

Upon my return I began to get things ready for my first night. Here is where I discovered my hubris. I had not packed a mask for my CPAP machine. I was a bit panicked as going without is never good. I called my wife and asked her to overnight me one, which she kindly agreed to do the next day. Still, I was without my machine for the night in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable place. Needless to say, I did not sleep well, which may explain why I am posting this at the hour I am. 

Laying in my cot

Still, for my first day on site it was pretty good. It's nice meeting new people that share a passion for our program. Now, Forward to day -2 where we will be cleaning latrines and marking campsites to prep for our units.