Hey! My name is Zach Turnage and I just got back from being on staff at the 2010 BSA National Jamboree. I’m from troop 376 in Southeast Denver, Colorado. I’m a Life Scout, VERY close to Eagle and AM going to get it done!
I had quite the experience at the Jamboree! I work at a shooting range in Colorado and when I was asked to be on trapshooting staff in Virginia, I said, “Of course,” not knowing what I was getting myself into. I arrived six days early to set up the range and get everything ready for the scouts to arrive.
Without going into much detail, things started out pretty rough. It was extremely hot, there were some problems with logistics, the subcamp had issues and I was starting to question my decision about the Jamboree. I’d talked to my parents and they were disappointed in what was supposed to be a good experience, but I had a lot of support from them and the rest of my family.
Once everything was set up, once all of us from high altitude got acclimated (plus it cooled off a little) and once the scouts arrived, things began to change for the better. Then something really awesome happened!!! Somehow Mike Rowe found out about my shaky start and gave me a personal phone call. I was instructing a scout on trapshooting at the time and missed the call.
Mike Rowe left me a very inspirational message. In a way I’m glad I missed the call because now I have the message kept on my phone. I wrote down what Mike told me and I’m going to put it in my computer.
He told me, “If it’s not difficult and a little miserable, it’s probably not very memorable.” He also told me, “Your job is to figure out how to have a good time and be happy in spite of it.” And I did!
The Jamboree ended up being a great experience. The ending arena show was very cool and the coolest part was Mike Rowe’s talk to all the scouts. He reminded me of myself when I was younger…very shy, nervous and scared. Now I’m about to be an Eagle Scout and I’m even thinking of staffing the 2013 Jamboree!
*****
Editor’s Note: We learned it was Zach’s Aunt Rochelle who contacted mikeroweWORKS on the off chance a message would get to Mike. Although not an easy task to accomplish, somehow the message did reach Mike resulting in the call. Here’s a photo of Aunt Rochelle and Zach proudly wearing their mrW Dirt Shirts! And thanks to Zach for writing this article for us!
12 Comments
Hi Zach… I’m Brenda in Michigan – a friend of Amy’s and I just wanted to say Congrats on two counts. One, for Mike calling you (how cool is that – you have a special Aunt for arranging this) and two, for hanging in there and having a great experience! You should be proud!
Woo hoo! Just found out Zach got his Eagle. Good job Zach!
Mike -
I am Zach’s scoutmaster and I just wanted to thank you for being such an inspiration. Zach shared his story and the message you left on his phone with us at our September Court of Honor. Every boy in our troop is now planning on going to the next Jamboree and we have 12 Life Scouts who heard your message loud and clear.
You have significantly impacted Zach and our whole troop. Thank you!
If you are ever in Colorado…
Zach,
I know just how you feel. My wife and I are bolth scout leaders. We devote a lot of time to the scouts. And we enjoy every second of it. Our goal is to get the scouts in the same possition that you where in. Mike is 100% right. “If it isn’t difficult it isn’t memorable.” We find our selves giving beond our means( financually and time wise). But if we can make the time we spend with our den memorable I am more than pleased. Where ever you end up in life always follow the scout law and do your best. It isn’t about the things you have. It is about the things you do for others.
Kirk Freese, Troop 66 Monticello IA.
Hey guys! Every Jambo is like this! You show up, things don’t seem to be going well, its hot, you have more work than you ever imagine could get accomplished, then all of a sudden stuff just suddenly seems to get done and the participants arrive and everything is great!
But then you are exhausted and worn out and dehydrated (even if you sucked on a nalgene every day for the whole time you were there) and they send you home — after you tear down everything you built in a week in only 24-48 hours — and you say “Never again.” But thats why they don’t do a Jamboree every year — so the staff can sit home and start remembering the good parts and forgetting the bad so that when they ask for volunteers for staff the next time you are willing and excited to step up and pay to work (and get real dirty) and do it all again.
I would have if I hadn’t been off at a camp getting dirty myself already.
Merit Badge Midway staff 1997, Religious Relationships staff 2001 (The year I came extra early to help Venturing set up its first exhibit “for the fun of it”), Venturing staff 2005.
Great story Zach. Things that start out difficult are often the best experiences you’ll have. Glad to hear you made it through, got a call from Mike, and realized there are other shy and nervouse people out there who grow up to be leaders.
KZ
Hi Zach!
I’m glad you stuck it out and had a great time at the Jamboree! Seems you learned a great lesson. Thank you for sharing your story!
Awesome Zach! I am so glad that you enjoyed yourself. I look forward to working on the trapshooting again with you next time.
That’s my brother Scott, Zach’s dad, in the top picture. A Mike Rowe Works dirt shirt is coming your way Scott!
Glad it all turned out great for you Zach. Stick around and feel free to contribute anytime. We’d love to hear more scout stories like yours (even if they don’t involve Mike!)
I’m glad things got better for you at the Jamboree. It is great that your family supported you when it got rough – but you stuck it out and that is what a scout does. Good for Mike for offering encouragement – that too is what a scout is all about. Once a scout, always a scout.
Good luck with your Eagle.
(Sounds like you’ve got a really nice Aunt too!)
This is awesome!! I wish I had been at the Jamboree and I wish Mike Rowe had called me too. I watched his speech and I am going to keep going in scouting. Maybe someday!
Donnie J.