The Boy Scouts 2010 Jamboree, July 26th - August 4th Ft. A.P. Hill, Virginia
be prepared - Scout Guidelines
Weather at the jamboree is typical for Bowling Green, Virginia, in the summer. While the average temperature in July and August is 87 to 65 degrees, temperature extremes have varied from a high of 104 to a low of 43 degrees. In addition to the heat, July has the highest amount of average precipitation for the year (including thunderstorms), contributing to the high humidity. The exciting high-adventure activities, long days, and short nights are in a non-air-conditioned environment, and you are subject to walking five to 10 miles per day. You should be capable of walking steadily for an hour without rest in high temperatures and humidity or rethink your participation.
All applicants will be required to submit a complete and detailed health history, meet immunization requirements, and undergo a thorough physical fitness examination between July 27, 2009 and May 1, 2010. Physical examinations will be by a licensed health-care professional and will be subject to review and evaluation by the jamboree subcamp, regional and national Medical Service. Not completing the fitness examination process by the May 2010 deadline may limit or even prohibit your jamboree participation, and you will be subject to being sent home at your expense. Participants are subject to a medical recheck upon arrival to verify provided information and current fitness. In the event a participant is found medically unfit at this time, he cannot serve and must return home at his own expense.
Immunization requirements are based on recommendations of the U.S. Public Health Service. All participants must provide proof of immunization for tetanus within 10 years (five years preferred). In addition, participants must provide verification of the following immunizations since birth: (1) measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR); (2) polio vaccine (oral or injection); (3) diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (DPT); and (4) chicken pox. It is recommended that immunizations for hepatitis B (for persons 15 years of age and older) be considered. We recognize the right of participants to not have immunizations because of religious beliefs, but a signed statement and medical check for contagious disease are still required.
MEDICAL RISK FACTORS FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION:
For 2010 to be the “best, most exciting, fun-filled, and safest jamboree ever,” you need to be aware of physical and mental risk factors that could affect you at the jamboree. Outlined below are risk factors that require special attention; acknowledgement of participants, their parents, or legal guardian; and verification by the licensed health-care professional performing your fitness examination. These risk factors are based on both our experience and the vast expertise of subcamp, regional, and national Medical Service experts. In the event these conditions are not acknowledged, a participant may be found medically unfit and will be required to return home at his own expense. Please note that the jamboree Medical Service will not support medical device requirements of participants and will not be set up to provide long-term health care.
Risk Factors for Jamboree Participation:
Excessive body weight (obesity):
To have the best experience, participants should be of proportional/normal height and weight. Excessive body weight puts a participant at risk for numerous health problems. One such measure is the Body Mass Index. You can calculate yours using a tool from the Centers for Disease Control. A youth calculator is available. It is recommended that youth fall within the fifth and 85th percentiles. Those in the 85th to 95th percentile are at risk and should work to achieve a higher level of fitness. Those over the 95th percentile should reconsider participation.
Cardiac or cardiovascular disease
Youth who have congenital heart disease or acquired heart disease such as rheumatic fever, Kawasaki’s disease, or mitral valve prolapse should undergo a thorough exam before considering participation.
Hypertension (high blood pressure):
Participants should have a normal blood pressure (less than 135/85). Persons with significant hypertension should be under treatment and their condition should be under control in the six months prior to the jamboree. The goal of the treatment should be to lower blood pressure to normal levels. Participants already on antihypertensive therapy with normal blood pressures should continue treatment and should not choose the time they are at the jamboree to experiment with or change medications. Conditions requiring diuretic therapy to control hypertension could lead to dehydration when coupled with the high heat and nature of the jamboree environment. Pressures over 150/95 may result in a medically unfit condition for participation.
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus:
Any individual with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus must be able to self-monitor blood glucose and know how to adjust insulin doses based on these factors. The diabetic person also should know how to give a self-injection and recognize indications of high and low blood sugar. You must bring enough medication, testing supplies, and equipment for your jamboree stay. This includes batteries (without provisions for recharging) to be both brought to and taken away from the jamboree (remember Leave No Trace guidelines) for pumps.
An insulin-dependent diabetic who has been newly diagnosed (within six months of the fitness examination) or who has undergone a change in delivery system (e.g., an insulin pump) in the same period should not attempt participation. A diabetic person who has been hospitalized for diabetic ketoacidosis or who has had problems with hypoglycemia in the last year should not participate.
Seizures (epilepsy):
Seizure disorder or epilepsy should be well controlled by medications. A minimum of six seizure-free months prior to the fitness examination is considered under control. Participants with a history of seizures need to limit high-adventure activities (e.g., climbing or rappelling). The jamboree is not a venue to modify maintenance medications.
Asthma:
Acute or severe bronchial asthma under treatment anytime during the past 24 months must be well controlled before participating in the jamboree. Key indicators of well controlled are:
- The use of an inhaler zero to one time a day.
- No need for nighttime treatment with a short-acting bronchodilator. Well-controlled asthma may include the use of long-acting bronchodilators, inhaled steroids, or oral medications such as Singulair.
The following asthma conditions are considerations of medically unfit:
- Exercise asthma not prevented by medication.
- Hospitalization or have gone to the emergency room to treat asthma in the six months before your fitness examination.
- Treatment that required oral steroids (prednisone) in the six months before your fitness examination.
Participants must bring an adequate and backup supply of medications and spare inhalers that are current. You must carry your inhaler with you at the jamboree. Not having a proper supply of medication is considered medically unfit.
Sleep apnea:
Participants with sleeping disorders may experience health risks due to long days and short nights for the duration of the jamboree. Participants with sleep apnea requiring a CPAP machine should reconsider participation. If considered fit, all equipment (e.g., CPAP machine) must be provided by the participant and be self-contained as there will not be electrical support for the machine. This includes batteries (without provisions for recharging) to be both brought to and taken away from the jamboree (remember Leave No Trace guidelines).
Allergy or anaphylaxis:
The outdoor setting of the jamboree has many risks (e.g., wasps, hornets, and other stinging insects) that could trigger anaphylactic reactions in individuals prone to reaction. While it is not an automatic indicator of medical unfitness, participants who have had an anaphylactic reaction from any cause must contact the Health and Safety Service for review by the Medical Service as soon as possible. If declared fit, you will be required to have appropriate treatment with you at all times.
Allergy shots required for maintenance doses are acceptable for persons who have not had an anaphylactic reaction. You must bring all appropriate medications and be able to self-administer them.
Not having a proper supply of appropriate mediation is considered medically unfit.
Ingrown toenails, recent musculoskeletal injuries, and orthopedic surgery: Every jamboree participant will put a great deal of strain on feet, ankles, and knees by walking five to 10 miles per day. Every participant should be able to walk steadily for an hour without rest in high temperatures and humidity or rethink their participation. Ingrown toenails should be treated within a month prior to the jamboree. Participants who have had orthopedic surgery, including arthroscopic surgery, or significant musculoskeletal injuries, including back problems, six months prior to the fitness exam may find it difficult or impossible to meet the walking requirements. Fitness exams for these surgeries or injuries must include a release from the surgeon or treating physician in addition to the fitness examiner. A participant wearing a cast on an extremity must have a treating physician release. Medical fitness is still subject to review by the jamboree Medical Service.
Psychiatric, psychological, and emotional difficulties:
The jamboree is not designed to assist participants in overcoming psychological or emotional problems and may exacerbate existing conditions. The experience and expertise of the Medical Service indicates these problems frequently are magnified, not lessened, when participants are subjected to the physical and mental challenges of the jamboree. Any condition must be well controlled without the services of a mental health practitioner. Under no circumstances should medication be stopped before or during the jamboree. Participants are required to bring an appropriate supply of medication for the duration of the jamboree and travel to and from the jamboree. Not having a proper supply of medication is considered medically unfit.
Other risk factors:
Sickle-cell anemia, hemophilia, leukemia, severe blood dyscrasia, and HIV infection provide special challenges to participants and the jamboree. To plan for, prepare for, and support the participants having these medical conditions, an individual evaluation of each situation by the Medical Service is required. There may be instances where proper medical support at the jamboree site is impossible. Under such circumstances, participation may be denied.
Any person with a severe physical disability, one of the conditions listed above, or with a reason to believe they may be medically unfit for jamboree participation should contact the Medical Service as soon as possible. In writing, contact Boy Scouts of America, Health and Safety Service,
Attention Jamboree Medical Officer, S410,
1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, P.O. Box 152079
Irving, TX 75015-2079.
Please mark the envelope as personal and confidential. By e-mail: healthsafety@netbsa.org.
