Pioneering is one of the most important tools in a Boy Scout's arsenal, so when the 2010 National Scout Jamboree staff here at Fort AP Hill got hold of it, it was taken all the way to a science. Literally, as Pioneering teaches the physics merit badge.

When you step through the gateway to Pioneering, you find yourself surrounded by huge towers, special rides and the gentle aroma of fresh-cut wood. There is a huge monkey bridge off to one side of the entrance, a station for building wooden hammers, a see-saw, and a 200 foot long zip line.

One of the most popular "rides" is the Magic Roundabout. The Magic Roundabout is a mix between a swing set and a carousel, with a bit of tetherball or space flight simulator thrown in for good measure. The Scouts start the contraption by running as fast as they can around the center post and then jump up onto their seats. The ride is kept moving by the momentum of the Scouts (See why they teach Physics there?) and continues moving until the Scouts stop it with their feet.

Having ridden the Magic Roundabout myself, I can testify that it is awesome as long as you try it on an empty stomach.

Action Centers are the heart, soul and backbone of Jamboree. For an example of the sheer range of Action Center activities, I rock climbed for two hours last night; I took part in an attempt to shatter the record of people trained in CPR in a single day; then this morning I did the 5-kilometer run; then I shot arrows for an hour. Simply put, there is a LOT of action going on at Jamboree.

As one last example, the Buckskin Games are where Scouts can practice such old-time skills as knife throwing, lassoing, tomahawk throwing and bullwhip cracking.

There are other activities happening around Jamboree such as Technology Quest, where Scouts can take an inside look at the technology that is shaping our world. There's Brownsea Island Ferry, which is a replica of the first Scout camp, complete with vintage games, costumes and English accents. Boy's Life Magazine has an area where there is an enormous exhibit on woodcarving and the Boy's Life mascot, Pedro the Mailburro, sits in a corral munching on hay. Jamboree is so full of all sorts of activities that there can never be a dull moment.

I hope all those in Chapel Hill have cool weather, fun times, and working TV. Good luck with the concert UNC High School Music Camp and happy trails to everyone else.

Nate FitzSimons is a Life Scout of Troop 39 in Chapel Hill and Jamboree Troop 1721. He is attending the Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree in Fort A.P. Hill this week. Everything he says is true and only slightly exaggerated.