STEM Quest Staff Call
Thursday, Feb 23 - 8pm Eastern
Thank you for being part of STEM Quest!
Introduction of Leadership Team:
Senior Staff:
Lisa Balbes, Director, , 314.966.5298 (home/office)
Jessica Janscha, Staff Advisor
AndrewFlowers, ViceChair Operations
ChristopherJordan, ViceChair Satellite
Bob Parker, ViceChair Staff
TeresaColletti, Satellite Awards
Rodger Salzman, Asteroid Booth
Savannah McMillan, Asst Asteroid Booth
BruceLevitt, Staff Communication
AlanLloyd, Staff Younger Recruiting
MattFisher, Staff Assignments
ScottMedlock,Staff Recruiting
ArdenDougan Operations PHA
DaveShort, Operations PHA
Data:
STEM Quest area is about 5 acres.
Walk from Camp Echo to STEM Quest is 1.6 miles, plus elevation changes
But there will be busses
Staff Guide:
Available online at
Includes suggested packing list (page 12) and hours of operation (page 22).
Co-located merit badges:
Chemistry, Electricity, Electronics, Engineering, Welding
Possibly more….These are run and staffed by the merit badge group, not us
Changes from 2013:
Four years worth of drainage development
Transportation from Echo to STEM Quest
Solar heaters on shower houses – warm in evening, probably still cold in the
morning
3 people in 4-person tent, can pick your tent mates
If you do not pick tent mates in advance, you probably won’t know who they are until you get there.
Be very careful about food in your tents. – bears have been seen
Preparation:
Youth Protection Training – need both Boy Scout and Venturing versions
Will be combined version coming out, but maybe not in time
Print your certificate/card and bring it with you.
Get physical scheduled, and online medical form filled in ASAP
April 19th is deadline for getting medical forms in and approved
All based on BMI, must meet the numbers on the phone.
There are height and weight requirements
Register your arrival and departure times –
Uniforming:
Can wear BSA Field Uniform (cub scout or boy scout or venturing green shirt), military uniform or Summit Center tshirt/polo/fishing shirt when on duty
Can purchase at:
Must be the grey color, and add “STEM Quest” from drop-down menu
Production problems resolved, shirts shipping, patches at end of month
Check order carefully, no returns on custom orders
Sizes do seem to run true, have men’s and women’s versions of everything.
Scout pants or scout shorts, please.
You do not have to wear a hat, but if you do it must be one of the Summit Center hats.
Will want to bring rain gear, does not have to be Summit Center rain gear.
Do not have to wear uniform on set up days (july 15-18).
Bring your own soap to wash things out in the sinks – Campsuds or similar.
Bugs were not a huge problem, but you can treat your clothing with permethrin before you go.
Laundry will be available on-site, bring cash for that.
Staff Survey:
Coming Soon! We will be asking for areas of expertise, preferences, so you can be assigned to work areas.
Staffing:
Still room for more staff – recruit your friends and fill your tent.
Some areas are offering patches for recruiting other staff, we are offering more time off.
Award:
Jamboree Nova requirements now released – check web site and promote
Youth staff can earn this nova
Quest for STEM award for participants
Most Important:
Preliminary staff patch design – very purple. We like it!
Questions?
Jamboree App (Event Truly) is available for downloading now, info now posted in Facebook group.
ATT and Verizon should both have great coverage at the site.
Wifi coverage will be excellent.
Power will be good, with some places for staff to charge devices.
Will probably not need much cash – Trading Post takes plastic
Chat N Chew snack bar in Echo for hanging out in evenings.
Do not need to bring a mess kit.
Will eat breakfast and dinner in Echo, multiple serving lines buffet style.
Will pick up trail lunch at breakfast – bring a bag in which to keep it.
If food allergies, should have been recorded on your registration and medical forms. Food service staff is used to accommodating them.
There will be no trees from which to hang a hammock.
If you have youth participants who need to go home with you, check with their jamboree troop leaders first, then let us know.
If you know of organizations that would be good program partners, or have ideas for activities we could put on ourselves, contact Lisa to see how we can bring them on board.
Thank you for being part of STEM Quest!