Scouts working to go to National Jamboree

Two Gardnerville Boy Scouts, who are also brothers, are getting some lessons on what it takes to be an entrepreneur.

The Jarvis brothers, Schyler, 16, a Life Scout and Pierson, 12, who is currently a Star Scout, are earning their way to the National Boy Scout Jamboree, to be held at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia next summer, through various jobs under the umbrella name of Jarvis Family Enterprises.

Last summer they started a curb address painting business with the help of their parents, Jody and Kenyon Jarvis. For only $10 Carson Valley residents are getting their addresses painted on their curbs in black and white to make their homes more easy to locate in an emergency.

This summer they planted a 20-by-20 foot melon patch in their backyard producing home-grown watermelon and cantaloupe, which they are now selling to friends and neighbors. This winter they are considering a wood splitting business. On the side they have also done odd jobs like pulling weeds and pet sitting. All of this work also helps them to earn the entrepreneurship and salesmanship merit badges as they learn about marketing and money management.

The year 2010 marks the 100th anniversary of scouting, so this is an opportunity of a lifetime for these two boys, both of whom will still be Scout age for the event. The national jamboree is the finest outdoor and leadership experience a boy could ever have. You name it, the jamboree program reflects all the skills of scouting - physical fitness, environmental conservation, our national heritage, and the true spirit of scouting. First there are the traditional activities of a Scout camp: rappelling, rafting, sailing, trap shooting, archery, buckskin games, confidence courses, conservation trail and an incredible merit badge midway.

The boys can discover scuba diving, kayaking, arts and sciences, a re-creation of Baden-Powell's original Scout camp on Brownsea Island, an American Indian village, regional entertainment stages, and many other activities. The arena shows are a highlight for all participants. On July 26, 2010, the green grass of Fort A.P. Hill military base will become a virtual city of 18,000 tents, 3,600 patrol kitchens and 43,000 Scouts and leaders.

This transformation occurs in mere hours, making Jamboree City the fastest growing city in Virginia, if not the world. Amid the thousands of colorful tents that will house participants and provide program and support services, there is an infrastructure that provides a safe and secure environment at Fort A.P. Hill. Everything from bus systems, telephone and Internet, to first aid stations and a hospital, police and fire departments, post offices, food warehouses, a daily newspaper, and retail stores (trading posts and concession stands) provides all the support and program services needed for an outstanding event.

And that is just the jamboree itself. In addition to this 10-day adventure, the 36 Scouts from the Nevada Area Council Troop will also go on a six-day tour of some of our nation's historical sites, including Washington, D.C., Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Fredericksburg and Philadelphia. For the Jarvis boys, who are homeschooled, this will be the culminating event for their studies of 2009-10 because they have just started a yearlong unit study of the founding of America. What a great opportunity these boys will have.

The jamboree costs more than $3,200 per boy, including airfare, food and accommodations.

The Jarvis parents want their sons to truly appreciate this experience and they feel that their sons will get more out of it if they have to work their way there.

If you would like to help by hiring Jarvis Family Enterprises you can contact them by calling 265-3790. And there are several other Boy Scouts from Carson Valley who are going to the jamboree, as part of the council's troop.

If they happen to hit you up for financial help be sure to give them a hand, too.