The Pilot has its own Scout reporter at the 2010 National Jamboree celebrating 100 years of Scouting in America.

Stephen Stewart, a member of Troop 7 in Pinehurst, is a hometown correspondent filing from the jamboree press tent about his experiences.

"The first couple of days here have been awesome!" Stewart said in his first report from the big field of tents. "It seemed like this time would never get here. I actually began preparing for this trip in 2008. So, for over two years now I have been busy planning and getting ready for this memorable event, and it has already been well worth the wait!"

Stewart left Monday, July 26, and arrived at the jamboree grounds at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia that night. He did not have time to file any reports then. There were chores to do.

"When we arrived on Monday, we set up our camp," Stewart said. "We also had to set up our troops' 'gateway.' Our troops' gateway is modeled like a pirate ship."

That, along with the usual camp duties involved with meals and such, pretty much took care of the first night. But soon Stewart was out exploring and making new friends.

"I have already met other boys from all over the United States, as well as boys from other countries such as Puerto Rico and South Korea," he said. "In my first two days here, I have been busy with many activities, such as swapping Scout patches (a jamboree tradition) and working on my fly fishing merit badge."

The embroidered patches issued to Scouts can become valuable collectors items over time. Some are quite rare. Stewart will bring home official patches from this jamboree that someday his kids or grandchildren will have to swap. He is already discovering that there is more to this giant campout than snipe hunts and Dutch-oven biscuit cooking.

"On Tuesday, I participated in the Mysterium Compass," he said. "This adventure taught all of us valuable lessons about teamwork, making the best of life's situations and how to strive to achieve our goals."

That took place in "the biggest tent at jambo" - big enough for an interactive action adventure combining elements of video gaming with theme-park style immersion, actors and theatrical settings - all under the direction of the Scouting honor society Order of the Arrow (OA). That tent actually had air conditioning and water slides.

Stewart also took part in Technology Quest, another hands-on adventure in which he worked with famous photographers from National Geographic's digital workshop in a cell-phone photo competition. He met NASA astronauts and worked with other Scouts learning to design and program his own robot.

There was an opportunity to explore the wonders of chemistry courtesy of The Franklin Institute, do physics with a team from Michigan Tech and even make a bit of his own DNA to take home. There was a flight simulator for studying modern flight with Rockwell Collins.

"Here, we got to learn about and experience many of the latest technological innovations," Stewart reported. "On Wednesday, there was an arena event with various special guests. Robert Gates, the secretary of defense and an Eagle Scout, spoke to us about holding oneself to high standards and being a leader. There were also appearances by the OA National Chief Brad Lichola, Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca (who visited Moore County for the dedication of the Lodge at Camp Durant), Caressa Cameron - Miss America, WWE entertainer Sergeant Slaughter and the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team."

And that was only the first three days of Stewart's jamboree adventure.

"I cannot wait to see what the rest of the week will bring," he said.

It brought weather, reminding Stewart of the old Scout saying that there is no such thing as bad weather for Scouting - only inadequate clothing.

"We had rain and thunderstorms on Thursday, but that did not stop us from having a great time," he said. "I continued to work on my fly fishing merit badge and tried my skill at the shotgun range. Friday, I participated in a military simulator program. There were all kinds of different simulators (e.g., helicopters, vessels, etc.) for us to experience. The Coast Guard even shared with us how they helped with the oil spill in the Gulf."

Stewart still wasn't tired, because the next thing he did was tackle the 5K run.

"I continue to meet people from all over the world," he wrote as the first week came to a close. "One of the boys I met today traveled all the way from India to attend the jamboree.

"I also got to try scuba diving for the first time today. That was cool! I really want to become certified in diving in the future. Well, I am sure that the weekend will bring even more fun and adventure."

Contact John Chappell at jfchappell@thepilot.com.