FORT A.P. HILL, VA – The Boy Scouts of America, now celebrating their 100th anniversary this week, is now using wireless access and other forms of healthcare information technology for the first time at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree.
Using wireless devices in the medical centers and AT&T’s six Connection Zones throughout the Jamboree, medical professional such as EMTs can access an electronic medical record system in conjunction with a jamboree ID card to find a specific patient’s medical record to allow more effective care.
Text messaging is used to communicate important information such as alerts to Scout leaders, staff, youth, or visitors. Scouts and their families can also be notified of issues through an emergency notification system in place at the jamboree.
The Jamboree Web Team is also utilizing wireless internet to provide scouts access to the Internet, allowing them to provide a partially real-time experience of the jamboree to those not physically attending. Four scouts will be equipped with cameras to deliver an up-close experience of the event while a multi-gigapixel panoramic camera will allow a much broader view – yet one that can be sharply focused on any point in its range. “This technology allows us to truly immerse the viewer in the jamboree experience,” said Mike McDonald, Jamboree Web Site Team chairman.
Other forms of high technology at the 2010 include a Technology Quest program, which allows Scouts at the jamboree to explore technology in the fields of chemistry, physics, energy, space exploration, and virtual reality. Scouts can also visit the Merit Badge Midway to try Inventing (the newest merit badge subject) and robotics.
“It's our goal that each Scout visiting Technology Quest will leave better educated and inspired to assume their place as leaders of what is yet to come,” said Mary Stevens, Technology Quest chairman.