Volunteer geologists are needed to teach Geology Merit Badge and to talk with Scouts about careers in geology at the 2005 National Scout Jamboree, to be held July 25-Aug. 3 at (U.S. Army) Fort A.P. Hill, near Fredericksburg, Va.
The Jamboree, offered every four years by the Boy Scouts of America, attracts more than 40,000 Scouts and adult leaders. The AAPG Foundation sponsors the geology program area on the Merit Badge Midway. In 2001, AAPG volunteers helped nearly 300 Scouts earn the geology merit badge, and more than 700 received career information.
Each day's program is open for Scouts to choose from sports, hobbies, history and vocational areas.
"Many kids will visit the Merit Badge Midway," said Ron Hart, who will coordinate the program area under the sponsorship of the AAPG Foundation. "We think we do well with our geology merit badge because a lot of kids don't have access to a professional geologist as a badge counselor."
Taught this summer will be the new, revised "Requirements" that were developed over the past two years by a team of AAPG members and others.
"For years, the geology merit badge was all about rock collecting," Hart said. "While a lot of mineralogy and collecting remains part of the new badge requirements, the new requirements feature a discussion about oil and gas -- and, for the first time since the 1950s, Scouts will have an opportunity to make a structure map and work on other subsurface exercises."
Developing and delivering materials to the Jamboree is funded through the AAPG Foundation's E.F. Reid Scouting Fund. Some funds also may be available to help volunteers attend the event.
"We need men and women who like working with kids," Hart said. "We need some people who are willing to spend the entire 10-day program on-site, and we greatly depend on others who can only spend a weekend or an extended weekend on-site as well. Any help is appreciated."
Geologists interested in volunteering either part-time or full-time can contact Hart by e-mail at [email protected], or by telephone, (918) 560-6429.
AAPG members who cannot attend, but who would like to help in their own way, may consider a contribution to the E.F. Reid Scouting Fund. Contact the AAPG Foundation for details.