Boy Scouts Jamboree


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A Boy Scout National Jamboree marred by the deaths of four people weathered another blow Wednesday in Virginia when about 300 Scouts and adults suffered symptoms resulting from the 100-degree afternoon heat, a spokesman for the organization said.

Thousands of Scouts had gathered in Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, for the opening ceremonies, which were canceled because of "heat-related health concerns" and the threat of severe thunderstorms.

The heavy rain, accompanied by lightning, also forced President Bush to postpone his planned speech to the Jamboree. The speech was rescheduled for Thursday evening, the White House said.

The Jamboree has drawn more than 42,000 Scouts and their leaders to the Army installation about 75 miles south of Washington.

"We are deeply concerned for every person affected by the heat, and we sincerely hope they are back on their feet and back to enjoying the Jamboree soon," Scout spokesman Gregg Shields said.

"The overriding concern is always safety," he said. Shields said Jamboree participants were given bottles of water and sprayed with water because of the heat and humidity.

Scout leaders plan to meet Thursday morning to determine how to handle that day's events, according to Shields. Updates will be posted at www.bsajamboree.com.

Most of those affected by the heat were treated on site, many at the Army base's Wilcox Camp, Shields said.

More than 30 people were taken to Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg and Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center in Richmond, spokesmen at those hospitals said.

No one had been admitted as of late Wednesday.

Dr. Tom Ryan at Mary Washington said patients taken there were treated for minor symptoms such as cramped muscles, excessive sweating, rapid heart beat, dizziness, nausea and general weakness. None of them suffered from the more serious illness of heat exhaustion, he said.

Some people still were being treated late Wednesday, Mary Washington spokeswoman Kathleen Allenbaugh said.

Authorities in surrounding communities told CNN that numerous ambulances, including military helicopters, were dispatched to the Jamboree, which is held every four years.

On Monday, three Scout leaders from Alaska and one from Ohio were electrocuted when a tent pole they were installing struck an overhead power line.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said he expected Bush to talk about the accident during his remarks.

I feel so sorry for those kids out there right now. They've just had four of their scout leaders die, now they are suffering from heat stroke, and *now* Bush decides not to show because of the heat. Those boys are out there in the heat all day long, and he decides not to show up for a couple of hours? Normally, I couldn't care less about the boy scouts, but this year's jamboree has been really hard on them, and then the president decides to postpone the visit??? GRRRRR He better find time to show up and speak with those kids.

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The heavy rain, accompanied by lightning, also forced President Bush to postpone his planned speech to the Jamboree. The speech was rescheduled for Thursday evening, the White House said.

It wasn't just becuase it was too hot.

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Four troop leaders died due to being electrocuted. And to top it off those boys were out in that weather, and he couldn't come out for a few hours?

I'm terribly angry about this obviously.

*edited* that was my fault, edited to show correct information. thanks cyoung.

Edited by Triliaeris
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They put their tent up under a power line, I mean come on... wtf. Probably would have stood a better chance putting it up on a railroad track, at least they'd have heard a train coming.

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My God, im supprised they've not cancelled the whole event after people died  :o

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I know, that's another thing that's surprising and a little upsetting. These boys had to go to local hospitals because of the heat. They've just had four people die! And yet this hasn't been canceled?

Insane

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Heard on the news today that some more two more people died or something? God this thing sounds bad...

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