Scouts and Venturers, bring your seats (with no legs) and rain gear, because no matter what, the shows will go on AT&T Stadium. With tens of thousands of people attending or visiting the 2013 National Scout Jamboree and the stadium's sprawling venue is the only place at the Summit Bechtel Reserve where they can all be together at the same time.
"It is a huge production," says Peter Bates, a stadium staffer working on the main stage.
Tomorrow's opening program is open only to jamboree participants and staff members and will feature a Billboard-charted music act. The program is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m., so audience members should also bring and wear sunscreen and hats. Everyone should bring at least two large bottles of water, or about two quarts.
Throughout the jamboree, the stadium will offer a variety of additional performances and ceremonies, including music and talent of all kinds. Performers can be viewed live on stage and will be projected on six very large screens positioned around stadium.
Saturday night's stadium program will be headlined by a multi-platinum, number one Billboard-charted band. It will start at 7 p.m. Visitors to the jamboree will be welcome at this show, with the stadium's capacity counted at 80,000 according to press materials issued by the Boy Scouts of America.
Bates also encourages participants to "be ready to have fun at all of the great shows," and remember cameras, ear plugs or hearing protection, and sunscreen. Visit the restroom beforehand, he says, and most importantly bring two full water bottles. Use of cell phones and other distracting devices are discouraged to improve the overall experience for everyone.
For Scouts and Venturers camping at the Summit, AT&T Stadium is no more than 45 minutes from the most distant base camp and only a 10-minute walk from closer camps.
Estimated travel times from base camps to the stadium:
- Base Camp A headquarters: 20 minutes
- Base Camp B headquarters: 25 minutes
- Base Camp C headquarters: 10 minutes
- Base Camp D headquarters: 20 minutes
- Base Camp E headquarters: 45 minutes
- Base Camp F headquarters: 40 minutes
No matter what distance from the stadium, all participants are reminded again to bring plenty of water and to refill their water containers before arriving for the show.