Greetings to All.

I hope last night's CBD mass email did not shock everyone out of their socks. In brief, I was approached last Thursday night (the iced-out Roundtable night) by Mike Schaeffer (our DE) and John Foust (the District Chairman) about (once again) converting the Projectoree into the Spring Camporee - and (once again) I refused, reiterating the various reasons why it would not work and (once again) offering to instead run a dual Projectoree on back to back weekends. These discussions continued by email through the past week. On Tuesday morning, I was astonished to find that Camp Wilson was still available on the weekend following the N. Arlington Projectoree, and I put a hold on it pending a final decision by the District Leaders. After last night's Commissioner meeting, we held an additional hour long discussion and planning meeting between myself and five top members of the District Leadership, at which point we agreed to go for the dual Projectoree concept. A little late in the game, but I think we can pull it off.

As should be now obvious, "our" Projectoree is still on as planned, and will be almost - but not quite - transparent to the second Projectoree. The only differences will be somewhat more generic patches and flag streamers (separate sets of each would cost more money per patch and per streamer), and we are likely to have some Senior Scouts and Leaders from McLean and South Arlington working with us on Saturday in order to "learn" how to do it themselves the following weekend. In addition, it is my intent (and hope) that Pohick Bay will allow us to leave certain structural components in place during the intervening week (Obstacle Course, signs, etc.) in order to save us from dual setups and breakdowns.

When I first broached this topic to you last Spring (at the Projectoree debriefing session), I indicated that if the dual-Projectoree concept was approved, I would desperately need your cooperation and assistance. We are now "veterans" of the process - the rest of the District Troops have minimal experience in this type event. As noted above, I will be inviting Senior Scouts and Adults from the second Projectoree to attend the first, to learn how we run things. Similarly, I am hoping that at least some of the Adults and Senior Scouts from the first will attend the second (Saturday only) to assist in running "their" games (i.e., the events that you ran the first weekend.) I am NOT asking for anyone to give up an entire weekend for the second Projectoree, but rather just the amount of time needed to come down during the time frame of their game. Even one Senior Scout per event will be an immense help. This will make running the second Projectoree a heck of a lot easier for me, and will make it a much better event for our fellow Troops in South Arlington and McLean who participate. I know I can count on you in this immense undertaking.

YiS - Bob

Projectoree 99 Page.
26 February 1999