God Exacts Revenge on Boyscouts

OK. The first 2 tragedies were a creepy coincidence. But as Bill Frist might say, perhaps some larger force is at work here.

Here's the rundown on the "Smite the Boy Scouts summer 2005 Tour":

Monday, July 25
Four Boy Scout Leaders Die in Va. Accident

BOWLING GREEN, Va. (AP) - Four adult Boy Scout leaders were killed Monday afternoon in an electrical accident during the opening day of the organization's 2005 Jamboree.

Jamboree spokesman Gregg Shields said the accident occurred between 4:30 and 5 p.m. while the leaders were setting up camp.

One other leader and a contract worker were injured, and were hospitalized in stable condition, Shields said. No youth Scouts were seriously hurt, he said. He did not say how many might have sustained minor injuries.

Wednesday, July 27
Hundreds of Boy Scouts fall ill from heat

(CNN) -- A Boy Scout National Jamboree marred by the deaths of four people weathered another blow Wednesday in Virginia when about 300 Scouts and adults suffered symptoms resulting from the 100-degree afternoon heat, a spokesman for the organization said.

Thousands of Scouts had gathered in Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, for the opening ceremonies, which were canceled because of "heat-related health concerns" and the threat of severe thunderstorms.

The heavy rain, accompanied by lightning, also forced President Bush to postpone his planned speech to the Jamboree.

Thursday, July 28
13-year-old Boy Scout, leader killed by lightning

FRESNO, Calif. - After seven days of scrambling up and down canyons in the Sierra Nevada, the Boy Scouts were held up by a common summer nuisance in the mountains — a lightning storm.

In a wide, grassy meadow near Mt. Whitney, the five adults and seven teenagers set up two tarps, keeping away from granite outcroppings to stay as safe as they could from the lightning flashing across the sky.

Then a bolt of lightning hit one of the tarps, killing the troop leader instantly and claiming the life of a 13-year-old boy. Six others were injured.

Tuesday, August 2
Lightning Kills Boy Scout at Utah Camp

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Lightning struck a shelter at a Boy Scout camp high in the mountains, killing one youth and injuring three others, authorities said Wednesday.

The lightning bolt struck the Camp Steiner shelter, a log structure open on one side, Tuesday night, said sheriff's deputy Wally Hendricks said.

The rest of the Boy Scouts at the camp returned home, Hendricks said. No one answered the telephone at the Great Salt Lake Boy Scout Council, but the deputy said he believed they were all from the Salt Lake County area.

The dead scout was 15, authorities said. Names of the victims were not released.