Blog 7: Continuing the National Boy Scout Jamboree

(What I would not do for the money).

One day at the Jamboree, I went by the Commissary,(general store). I found these bracelets that one said “Mother” on it and 2 said “Sister” on them. The total was going to be $5 for all three. My dad had only given me $10 to last 3 weeks. I went back to camp and ask Darrell if he still had any money and he did not. My (then) brother in law and his brother could not help me either. So, I started asking other scouts if I could borrow the money for them. They all said no, but one boy. He said he would give me the money if I would do one thing. He wanted me to stay in their tent that night and allow them all to do whatever they wanted to do to me. I was shocked!

I really wanted the gifts for my mom and sisters. There were two respectable boys that I looked up to that told me to do it. They assured me nothing would probably happen. So, I told them yes. That night, I got in their tent and just laid there. However, the guys started touching me and doing things that young boys sometimes did. The irony of it was that I did absolutely nothing but lay there. For about 10-15 minutes, the other guys took turns “playing”. Then everyone went to sleep. I got the money and bought the items thinking nothing great of the night.

To my surprise, when we started 7th grade, for about a month, a rumor got passed around that I would do anything for money. It was being told by one of the boys who participated that night. I wanted to blow his cover so bad, but I knew it would just make things worse. I just ignored them. THEY were the ones doing something, I just laid there. I felt very dirty and ashamed, though. When I got older, I realized that I prostituted my body to them, which made me no better than them. Finally it stopped and things went back to MY norm. I even got nominated (and won) that year to be the Junior High Student Counsel President.

Each year, I tried to be the best in everything I did. I have a big head and thought I was the greatest in everything I did. Back then, everyone played to win, You got awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd and all got a certificate of participation.

(Lat day of Jamboree)

On the final day of the Jamboree, We had a talent show. We auditioned to be chosen as one of the acts, We won the right to sing last and close out the ceremony. We sang, “The Night they Drove Ol’ Dixie Down” I fell in love with music and singing when I was smaller. We got a standing ovation. It was great. That was probably the best part of the Jamboree. When we finally got home, there was so much to tell. I cannot think of a better way to leave than after that night’s banter.